Just received this email. I know it is bogus but thought I would put it up in case someone else gets it and thinks it is legit. Dead give away, the "up front" payment, language and gmail acct. Right?


Hello,


I am Michael Smith, Recruitment Specialist with Sights On Service Inc. “We have a mystery shopping assignment in your area and we would like you to participate". Secret Shopper® has been in business since 1990. We are a charter member of the Mystery Shopping Provider's Association (MSPA), the professional trade association for the Mystery Shopping industry. There is no charge to apply to be a Secret Shopper® and information is protected.

Secret Shopper® is accepting applications for qualified individuals to become mystery shoppers. Its fun and rewarding, and you choose when and where you want to shop. You are never obligated to accept an assignment. There is no charge to become a shopper and you do not need previous experience. After you sign up, you will have access to training materials via e-mail, fax or postal mail.

ABOUT US
Secret Shopper® is the premier mystery shopping company serving clients across America and Canada with over 500,000 shoppers available and ready to help businesses better serve their customers. Continual investment in the latest internet and communication technologies coupled with over 16 years of know-how means working with Secret Shopper® is a satisfying and rewarding experience. Secret shopping as seen on ABC NEWS, NBC NEWS, L.A.TIMES.

Since 1990, Secret Shopper® has delivered actionable intelligence to our clients, helping to drive exceptional bottom-line performance. Nearly 1,000 shoppers have registered this week, performing millions of mystery shops throughout North America and the Caribbean. When coupled with our continual investment in the latest internet and communication technologies, you can rest assured that working with Secret Shopper® is a satisfying and rewarding experience.

Secret Shopper® is also a charter member of the industry trade association, the Mystery Shopping Providers Association (MSPA). Benefit from partnering with America’s premier mystery shopping company. We have been building our tradition of excellence for two decades.

Stores and organizations such as The Gap, Walmart, Pizza Hut and Banks. One amongst many others pay for Secret Shoppers to shop in their establishments and report their experiences. On top of being paid for shopping you are also allowed to keep purchases for free.

Secret Shopper® NEVER charge fees to the shopper. Training, tips for improvement, and shopping opportunities are provided free to registered shoppers.
Mystery shoppers are either paid a pre-arranged fee for a particular shop, a reimbursement for a purchase or a combination of both.
Secret Shopper® has available for immediate assignment an inspection of the customer service of any walmart in your area. You are to shop secretly. This fee will be paid upfront.

During this shopping, you will visit a location and make several observations as regards the customer service. You will be required to interact with the shopper clerk. You may conduct the shop alone or as a couple. The assignment will pay $350.00 per duty and you can be able to get up to 2- 3 duties in a week depending on how fast you are able to execute the first assignment. Kindly Fill Out the application form below and we will get back to you shortly with the assignment:

The text copy of the contract form to fill and return it back to us asap.
text copy of the contract
Reference No:- FFR/74563735/ 8161/07
Batch No:- R4/B 313/3-40

EMPLOYMENT FORM

First Name:................
Middle Name:...............
Last Name:.........................
Address Line 1:............................ ....................
Address Line 2:............................ .....................
City:......................... ..................
State....... .......
Zip:................
Fax:.......................... ............
Home Phone......................
Cell Phone.........................
Gender:..............
Marital Status........................
Age:......
Nationality:.................. ..........................

Fill it and return to me asap. Thanks

AVAILABILITY:
Days/Hours Available
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
Friday:
Saturday:
Sunday:
Hours Available: from _______ to ______

We await your urgent response.

Sincerely,
Michael Smith.
Secret Shopper®
mismith1004@gmail.com
Sights On Service, Inc.

Did you contact the MSC directly? They might want to have a copy of the latest scam using their name.

From the Sights On Service web page, "Unfortunately, these fraudulent companies use various names or web addresses of reputable companies like ours in their ads and emails. Some scammers even use email addresses or websites which spoof those of legitimate companies. We also do not solicit people to sign up with us via email. The only way to apply to shop with us is on our website."

Yes, Sybil2, I called the MSC. They were not interested in having a copy of the email. I was advised to take it to my local police. Oh well, I tried!

I seem to remember someone here on the forum deals with these scams.....is it Mr. Bond or Scanman?

I had a scam attempted on me. It was to photograph a wedding. Once the person said she was sending me extra money to pay her "wedding planner", I knew it was a scam. I still pretended to be interested, all the way to the point of having her send me a check. When it arrived, the Post Office and local police didn't want a thing to do with it. I called the bank the check was drawn on and spoke to their fraud department. They were extremely interested in it. I also had print outs of the emails with headers and the tracking number the crook had used to send the check. It all went to the bank. I eventually had to provide them with a deposition. I heard the crook got 5 years with no parole.

The best part was two days after the "wedding", I received an email from the crook saying that she was calling the FBI and was going to have me prosecuted for mail fraud. I sent her a reply, all caps and 60-point type saying, "Bring 'em on!"