POLICE are warning the public of a scam offering people paid work at home.

Two men living in the Bishop Auckland area called police after they responded to an advert in The Northern Echo on December 10, in which a company called Alpha Gallery Picture was offering employment via the internet.

The would-be workers expressed interest, and after emails were exchanged, they were sent a quantity of US travellers cheques via special delivery.

The pair were instructed to deposit the cheques in their bank accounts, remove the money and keep ten per cent, then send the remaining money to an address in southern England.

In return, they would be sent some cash. But bank staff identified the cheques as poor quality forgeries.

Detective Constable Peter Lonsdale, from Bishop Auckland CID, said: “We would urge people to be extremely cautious when responding to adverts of any sort in which only an email address is given, as it is impossible to know if the people are who they say they are.

“Genuine companies are not going to send cash to potential employees ahead of them doing any work, nor would they ask them to part with any money.

“Fortunately in this case no one lost any money, but other people might not be so lucky.”

Anyone with information, or who has been involved in a similar scam can call police on 0345-60-60-365.

■ The Northern Echo will not accept any adverts from the advert company in future.