Consumers are being warned about 'delivery notices' being sent from Hong Kong which seek payment of $19.95 for a camera.
The document says the payment is for 'acquisition of the photographic equipment currently held at the Australian Clearing House for you'.
"Consumers are under no obligation whatsoever to send off money in this way," Consumer Affairs Minister Yvonne Henderson said today.
"Scores of Perth people have been receiving these requests in the mail, and some may be confused as to whether they need to send off the money.
"The document is headed 'Official Delivery notice' and it says in small type: 'This is not an invoice …' but I am not convinced that consumers will appreciate that they do not have to act on the demand.
"The document implies that the person receiving the letter - who is named on the notice - has had some role in ordering the camera.
"The notice to one Perth person says: 'Narelle K --- this urgent goods reservation notice is to advise you of pre-release goods reserved in your name for delivery …'"
Mrs Henderson said the notice requested payment - in an envelope provided - to a post office box number in Hong Kong.
"The Ministry of Consumer Affairs does not know if this offer is genuine, but quasi-invoices and inertia selling are, of course, well-known ways of removing people from their money.
"In this case, there is no guarantee that consumers will see the camera if they send away money - and if they do receive a camera, there is no guarantee it will be worth $19.95.
"They should throw the notice in the bin."
There have been previous warnings of similar schemes operating from New York and Gibraltar.
