The Trinidad and Tobago Police Service (TTPS) Fraud Squad has issued a public advisory warning business owners, retailers, service providers and members of the public to remain vigilant against criminals using fraudulent cheques to obtain goods and services.

According to the advisory, released Thursday, fraudsters present counterfeit, altered, forged or stolen cheques as payment, often creating a sense of urgency by requesting that goods be released or delivered immediately. Businesses that release goods before confirming a cheque has successfully cleared may suffer significant financial losses when the cheque is later returned unpaid.

The TTPS said fraudsters typically follow a pattern: requesting quotations for large orders by telephone or WhatsApp, then presenting a fraudulent cheque to purchase high-value goods or services. In some cases, they present only a screenshot of a fraudulent cheque or deposit slip and claim payment has already been processed or will clear shortly.