NEW WORK AT HOME SCAM AND FRAUDULENT ADVANCE PAYMENT

This counterfeit check is part of a "work at home scam." Targeted victims receive a letter and this above check allegedly from the Shopping Group Inc., informing them that they had been hired as a "secret shopper". The letter stated that she would be making a $50 secret purchase at Wal-Mart, a $40 secret purchase at Gap, then a $2500 wire transfer at Western Union and a $1200 wire transfer at Money Gram.The victim was instructed to call the Shopping Group at a specific number for instructions. When the victim called they were advised to deposit the check and once the check had cleared to call back. At that time they would tell the victim where to send the wire transfers.

The victim,suspecting fraud, looked up the phone number for Artisan's Bank and called them direct. An employee at Artisan's informed her the cashiers check was counterfeit and they had received several calls on them.