Sunshine Coast RCMP are warning the public to be wary of increasing Internet fraud scams circulating via email and websites such as Craig's List.
According to police, on Sept. 16 they were made aware of an Internet fraud scam originating from Ontario when a Sechelt woman reported being defrauded out of $3,738.42 when she accepted a job as a secret shopper. The job offer came through the Internet and was to evaluate service at a money wiring business and a local restaurant.
"This particular type of fraud is called 'secret shopper' fraud and is very common," said Const. C. MacPherson. "Victims are contacted via email with a subject heading reading job offer or some other similar heading. The email offers Canadian residents an opportunity to make some quick cash by offering 'secret shopper' jobs and does not require any previous experience."
MacPherson said the emails are usually poorly written, full of grammatical errors and often times do not list a company name. Interested applicants are asked to reply to the email with their personal information and are sent instructions in the mail as to what stores/restaurants they will be surveying.
"The secret shopper then receives a cheque or money order and is directed to cash the cheque and make a number of small purchases from the stores being surveyed," said MacPherson. "They are then to deduct their payment (usually around $500), and required to send the remainder of the funds by money order or 'wire' transfer to another mystery shopper in the U.K. Victims are asked to complete a questionnaire for each purchase. The cheque or money order received will inevitably be returned as fraudulent or forged and the victim will be held responsible for the loss by their bank."RCMP would like to remind residents that if they suspect such scams, or have received a cheque for a large amount on the mail, they may be the target of a fraudulent scheme and should report this information to Phonebusters at 1-888-495-8501 or at www.phonebusters.com.
