Shoppers World, Inc. poses as a mystery shop company that represents Starbucks Coffee, Blockbuster, GAP, McDonalds, Avis and Money Gram Int'l.
I had sent my resume to American Job Bank, and this company (Shoppers World) had responded. I filled out their short application, and received an assignment which was completing a Test Transaction via Money Gram. They sent to me a cashiers check from the Velocity Credit Union in Austin Texas which was in the amount of $980.00 ($120 Participation Wage, Test Transaction Funds $830.00 and $30.00 for Money Gram Service Charge fee/Check cashing fee). I was to pose as a customer sending this money ($830) to my brother, Wayne Thomas in Canada.
They requested that the assignments be completed at a Walmart location or Money Gram store. Of course Walmart was the most convenient location. I had cashed the check at a local grocery store on 2/27/07, and just found out on 3/9/07 that the check was a phony. Therefore I must repay $980 back to the grocery store or charges may be filed.
In the meantime, since I had successfully completed the first assignment for this fraudulent group, they sent me a second assignment (via Federal Express), once again for Money Gram, which contained yet another check written from a Velocity Credit Union account in the same amount of $980, with $830 being wired to another relative of mine, Stefanie Thomas.
I had just cashed the next check to complete the second assignment when I found out about the first check. I was totally devastated that I had been scammed. The website, correspondence, etc. was so professionally set-up, and the check, to the average person appeared legitimate. I immediately called the check cashing place that I had cashed the second check at, and informed them of the situation and assured them that I would repay them the $980.
This whole scam has really angered me, first because someone actually pulled two over on me, and second because, I'm currently out of work and cannot afford to repay $1, 960. Thank God I hadn't completed the second assignment, so I still had the money to return. I imagine Shoppers World is awaiting the second transaction to come through. Well they won't be receiving it!!!
It's truly devastating that people live and breathe to pull such scams instead of going out a making a legal living for themselves. I wouldn't want this to happen to anyone else. I'm sure a lot of seniors participate in mystery shops to supplement their incomes, and to run into people like this, could certainly take them over the edge. Something must be done. I pray that these people are caught and punished to the fullest.
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