Overseas backpackers have been tricked into handing over hundreds of dollars through a fake online advertisement offering work picking strawberries in Narrogin, in Western Australia's Wheatbelt region.

Several backpackers contacted Consumer Protection and the Town of Narrogin to say they had been scammed.

They had travelled to an address in Narrogin, 190km south-east of Perth, which they thought was an employment office, but found nothing there.

Earlier they had handed over up to $200 in advance payments for accommodation.

The money was paid into a South Australian bank account, which has now been closed.

Consumer Protection said the fraudsters had used the contact name Harris Ballard, using the same surname as the town's mayor Leigh Ballard.

In email exchanges with backpackers, they urged the travellers to quickly confirm their interest because spots were filling fast.

The scammers claimed there was three months' work available picking and packing strawberries at more than $20 an hour, for up to six days a week.

In one email to unsuspecting backpackers, they said the work would count towards a second year working visa, although they do not explain how.

The email said no camping was possible but the backpackers could rent accommodation in farm share houses for the discounted price of $200 a week.

Backpackers queried no camping rule

One couple replied they would take a double room but queried the no camping stipulation.

"We will come in Narrogin by van. We are clean people, we don't like to pollute the environment, we can really clean the area before to leave ... are you completely sure that we can't stay camping?" they asked.

Commissioner for Consumer Protection Anne Driscoll said it was common for scammers to target travellers trying to secure employment after arriving in Australia.

"Travellers should be instantly suspicious when an employment agent asks for fees to be paid upfront to secure the job and accompanying accommodation," Ms Driscoll said.

"There have been many cases where backpackers have been left out of pocket after handing over their money and giving their personal details, only to find out afterwards that the job doesn't exist and they have become the victim of a scam."

West Australian employment agents must be licensed and are not allowed to charge fees to prospective employees.

Consumer protection urged people to check if an employment agent was licensed by searching its website.