A Big Island woman was scammed for more than $2,000 after posting an item for sale on craigslist, police said today.

A 29-year-old Kealakekua woman posted furniture for sale on the Internet classified advertising site. She told police that she received an offer from someone claiming to be a disabled woman from the mainland who agreed to purchase the furniture for $230. The purported purchaser said she would send a check for $2,452 and asked the seller to deposit the check in the bank, deduct $230, then send back the balance via Western Union, according to police.

The seller agreed and after sending a check through Western Union, she learned that the original check was bogus, said police, who are investigating the case as a theft.

Police say this scam is common. They advise the public to be suspicious of anyone who offers to purchase an item with a check above the selling price and then asks for a refund of the difference.