This week MSPA has become aware of an international evaluator fraud. We would like to share all the details we have received in order to alert and inform our members. The fraud appears to be primarily focused on evaluators within the USA using fake company names, MSPA EU logo’s and identity, and by sending false checks to shoppers to collect and buy iTunes codes. 
This can harm the integrity of all of us associated within the Mystery Shopping industry.

Scam alert!  Reported to MSPA on 25 January 2018:

SCAM FORMAT

• Shoppers complete an application to be a secret shopper for Walmart through SurveyMonkey or receive an email via the domain www.kroger.com.


• In return they receive an email from a named party, to date, either;
  1. Frank Eden of the company Mystery Shoppers® using the email address fredenter04@gmail.com; US phone number + 1 (773)-666-4121. To this they add a Task Coordinator and the website address of one of the MSPA websites.
  
  
  2. Thomas James of the company Mystery Survey using several email address jobseekers2012@gmail.com / waljobseeker88@gmail.com; US phone number + 1 (650)-761-0386 To this they add a Task Coordinator and the website address of one of the MSPA websites.
  
   
• A week after their application, the shopper receives a check via post / UPS mail order for a large amount of money (USD 999 or more) in USD and a letter explaining what to do The Postal address is from forest Park Illinois, the money order originates in Ohio.


• The shopper is asked to deposit the check at the bank, buy ITunes Gift Cards for small amounts and send the PIN numbers via a text message.

We advise you to inform your evaluators, staff and if possible include this on your list of fraudulent activities to monitor. Updates will be sent to you as soon as they become available, and all MSPA regions will post this information on their website.