PLS READ - cashshoppers@aol.com

[AlanJones]

Hello,

We are accepting applications for qualified individuals to become mystery shoppers. It's fun and rewarding. There is no fee to become a shopper. No experience needed and you will be paid $150-$200 ( fixed sum ) for every duty you carry out.

If you've ever wanted to earn upto $200 per assignment without divulging your personal details such as your bank account information, direct home address, social security/insurance details and passwords, here's the chance you've been waiting for.

Please respond if you're interested and we'll reply back with detailed information about this company and your first assignment.

Thanks..

cashshoppers@aol.com

[Patsycla1]

My daughter signed up for this and received her first email. What should she do?

[AlanJones]

Hello Patsycla1 and welcome to ScamWarners.

The best thing for your daughter to do is to cut off all communication with the scammers - just ignore them, do not write back to them telling them you know they are scammers as they will just lie and deny it.

If she receives a cheque through the mail then she should shred it or mark it as FAKE with a permanant marker.

[christieann]

Aloha,

My name is Christie. I was in correspondence with a male named Victor. He offered me employment and I believed everything he said. He deposited 1450.00 into my PayPal account and gave me specific instructions. I was supposed to deposit ALL of that into my bank account and withdraw ALL of it as soon as it became available. My assignment was to take all but 200.00 to Western Union to be sent to another "Cash Shopper". The 200.00 was my payment for that assignment. My next assignment was to be at a Restaurant. I have a feeling these are scammers. I had PayPal send 750.00 to my account and a check for 650.00 to my house. When Victor contacted me to do a follow-up, I told him how I split the payment of the 1450.00. He got very angry. That's when I knew this was a scam. So, I took the money out and spent it. According to PayPal, Victor's account was verified. Of course, now I understand that he could of used ALL FAKE information. Alot easier to pull in vulnerable victims. Was I wrong to do what I did? What should I do now? I've gotten a text from Victor this morning and concocted a story about getting arrested and under investigation. I made up a story and Victor got scared and when I asked him who he was and the name of the company, he said for me to tell him who told police the money was for a job. He said when I answer that question, he will answer mines. So again I made up a story and all he could say is REFUND. when I tried to reply to his email, my message wasn't sent because his email wasn't accepting any mail from my address.

[Bubbles]

Welcome to ScamWarners christieann. This is an important question:

Was I wrong to do what I did? What should I do now?

The money you spent was not yours. It probably wasn't the scammers either. It very well may have been from a PayPal account the scammer hijacked and some innocent victim is out all of that money.

I would contact PayPal directly. Not off of a link the scammer sent you. Explain to them the situation and let them investigate the account the money came from and if it has been hijacked.

I wish you had asked these questions before you spent the money. You very well may be held liable for the money. Even If you do not bring it up to PayPal proactively, they can trace where the money came from and how you accessed the money.

I believe in being proactive in situations like this. Let us know if you have questions.

It sounds like the scammer wanted to use you to "launder" money he has gotten through illegal means. It is remotely possible that "Victor" is a victim too unwittingly helping a scammer. In any event, this is not how secret shopper jobs work.

[christieann]

thank you for your response to my post. i know now that I should've contacted someone first and ask questions upon my suspicions. I feel bad that I didn't.

In any case, I was contacted by PayPal saying that so and so is filing a dispute because I failed to send them the "product". When I asked what product, I was told a Mac Book Pro. So I proceeded to let them know what the money was sent for and that I have proof...via saved emails from day one. I also gave them the email address I was receiving all these emails from and told them to google it and the very first link that pops up is Scams. Now that they tried this step, they are doing a deeper investigation into the senders account.

I pray I did the right thing!

[Bubbles]

Hello christieann, it sounds like you are on a good track with PayPal. It is great you kept the messages you were sent. They can help you as you untangle yourself from this scam.

I did not mean to make you feel bad. We get hundreds of visitors each day and I post recommendations not just to you, but so other people will be encouraged to ask if something seems odd. Please keep us informed as to how this works out. It will aid us in helping other victims.

My best to you.