GRIFFITH police have warned local business owners to be alert for an email scam aimed at swindling thousands of dollars from unsuspecting victims.

The warning comes after a Griffith business was targeted by the sophisticated con, which is believed to have originated in the West African nation of Liberia.

The scam, a variation of the advance-fee frauds that rose to prominence with the Nigerian letter scam, began with an apparent legitimate purchase order sent to a local supplier.

Using fraudulent credit cards to "buy" the goods, the con artists then requested the supplier cover shipping costs totalling $4300.

If the supplier, who did not wish to be named, had agreed to pay the costs in advance then he would have been left thousands of dollars out of pocket on goods he would have never received payment for.

Inspector Murray Gillett said police were tipped off about the con when the business owner came forward with the email.

"A number of businesses have been approached and these scammers order enough product to far outweigh the cost of shipping," Insp Gillett said.

"There's been a lot of publicity about different scams, but we're seeing a range of different strategies employed now."

Griffith Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Craig Tilston said there was no shortage of charlatans out to prey on the gullible.

"These tricksters and scammers are out there all over the place," Mr Tilston said.

"So it really is a case of if it appears too good to be true, it probably is."

Mr Tilston said there were several things business owners could do to protect themselves from such cons.

"If it's a genuine offer there will normally be a contact phone number on there and before you reply ring it and ask for their full details," he said.

"You can also do a search yourself on the internet and find out if the company is legitimate or not.

"Finally, if you're in any doubt don't order anything."

Insp Gillett said any complaints from locals would be passed on to the Australian Federal Police.