Online scams involving "mixed delivery orders" are on the rise, warned the police on Friday. In these scams, where victims not only fail to receive goods purchased online but get cheated into making further payments.

Some 53 cases were reported in July and August, with victims cheated of over $40,000 in total. This is compared with 26 of such cases reported for the whole of last year, the police said.

Culprits post online advertisements on the sale of the smartphones, tablet PCs and laptops on popular websites at below market prices to entice victims. Interested buyers are asked to make payments through interbank transfers to local bank accounts or remit payment via remittance agencies to overseas accounts. They are then asked to make further payments after scammers inform them that their goods are stuck at customs or have been delivered to the wrong country, among other lies.

The police advised the general public to do business with companies or individuals they trust and to always check the track record of the company or seller before making a transaction.