A mystery shopper dodges a scam

The Better Business Bureau told Whistleblower about a Twin Cities woman who contacted the bureau after signing up in June to be a mystery shopper for a company that called itself Origami Group. Her first assignment was to test the effectiveness of her local Western Union office. The company sent her a check for a few thousand dollars and told her to deposit it and wire all but $150 to a mystery shopper in Wisconsin. When she didn't follow through after consulting with the Better Business Bureau, the e-mails from Origami became threatening: "… you are not professional and competent … the board of directors … will report you to the State Department … you will be charged for theft and would end up in Jail." It turns out the check was bogus and she would have lost any money she wired. Dan Hendrickson, a BBB spokesperson said that law enforcement was able to get the email address shut down. He said the scammer will simply resume business under a new email address. Click here for advice for those who are considering becoming a mystery shopper. Click here for a Better Business Bureau warning about mystery shopper scams.