Almost got scammed!!!

Be sure to keep your eyes and ears open for this latest scam. It seems to be coming to the east cost and has enjoyed a healthy life on the west coast for almost a year now. My fancy check was for $4,954.00 with the task of spending $50 at Wal-Mart, $40 at the Gap, then wiring $2637.00 via a Western Union transfer and $1463.00 via Moneygram transfer to a "relative" in Canada. By the way, the check should be cashed in my name and then the money should be wired.

All this happens confidentially under the auspice of mystery shopping from the Shadow Shopping Agency in Canada at www.shadowshopper.com. I should then do my duty to rate the service at all locations, fill out the form and then fax to my Chief Assignmet Coordinator, David Hawkins. I must also comply with the code of conduct policy.

Tell everyone you know-don't do it! The check will bounce and then you are out the money but the recipient get's their money since it was wired to them.

Who comes up with this crap anyway?!! There are lots of articles about it on the web so I posted this one because it has the phone number for the attorney general.

Office of the Attorney GeneralAttorney General Stumbo Issues Warning About New Mystery Shopper Scam
Press Release Date: Monday, October 16, 2006
Contact Information: Vicki Glass, 502-696-5643 Office
Attorney General Stumbo announced today that Kentucky consumers are being targeted by a company called Shopping Group, Inc., located in the city of Kitchener in Ontario, Canada.
Shopping Group sends a letter to consumers stating that they have been chosen as a mystery shopper. Enclosed is a check for approximately $5,000. The recipient is instructed to immediately wire $2,500 and send another $1,200 by money gram to an individual in Kitchener. The letter explains that the balance is to pay for expenses, time and the purchase of items from stores assigned to the “shopper.”
“This is a new twist on the old counterfeit check scam,” said Attorney General Stumbo. “Scam artists are sending counterfeit checks and requesting that a portion be forwarded to a foreign address immediately. Consumers who fall prey to this scam not only lose money by sending the funds, but they are pursued by banks to return the funds or be prosecuted.”
Attorney General Stumbo urges all consumers to follow these tips to avoid victimization:
Avoid responding to any notices that seem too good to be true. It only increases your junk mail and your chances of being swindled.
Never wire money to anyone as part of a money-making scheme. If you have to pay in order to take part in the ploy, it is probably an illegal scam.
If you received a promotional check, even if it looks official, contact the Office of the Attorney General at 1-888-432-9257. Never deposit the check and spend the money. You may be held liable for the amount of the counterfeit check by your bank.