Tony Messner sold a Canon camera lens worth, £1,000, to a customer in Leeds, via the internet.
He posted the item in good faith, but became suspicious when the confirmation of payment email he received, turned out to be fake.
A spokesman for West Yorkshire police said: “We are investigating this matter and have recorded an offence of fraud by false representation.
“Officers have been in contact with the victim to update him and police inquiries are currently ongoing.”
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