Police are warning people of an intricate scam involving fake cellphone stores on Facebook.

The online stores advertise sales representative jobs to Facebook users.

Once a user is offered and accepts the job, the store then asks them for their back account number, and supplies the sales rep with information to promote content on their Facebook page, says a post on the New Zealand Police Facebook page.

'When a potential customer approaches the rep wanting to buy a cellphone, the rep refers them to the fake store.

'The store then asks the customer to deposit money into the back account of the sales rep.

'The fake store then messages the sale rep, and states that the money has been deposited into their account by accident.”

Police say the sales rep is then asked to transfer the money to the fake store using an online transfer service.

Customers never receive the phone they bought and are left out of pocket.

'The sales rep also falls victim to the scam, unaware the store is fake and is left looking like a scam artist, and the fake store makes its money.

'These scams run constantly and while most people will not respond or buy into them, some people are more vulnerable. We urge you to have conversations with vulnerable family members and friends,” says police.

'Police's message on scams like this is simple – do not engage with anyone online if you think you are being scammed – stop talking to them immediately and report the incident.

If you are in doubt as to an online profiles legitimacy, ask if you can call them back, or just cease contact.

'Anyone who believes they are a victim of a scam, in person, over the phone or online, should immediately report it to their bank, and then to their local police.”

Alternatively, information can be given anonymously via the Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 line or non-emergency information can be phoned in to the police's 105 number.