Crystal Lake Police has taken a report of a Craig’s List Mystery Shopper Scam. The scam begins with someone accepting a Secret Shopper position that is posted on Craig’s List or via email. The subject is then sent a United States Postal Service (USPS) Money Order (in varying amounts). The subject is then asked to go to a large store such as Wal-Mart, purchase items not to exceed a specific amount. The subject is then to take a specified amount out for themselves for payment and then send the remaining money via Western Union to a specified name and address. The U.S. Postal Inspection Service is on the trail of a number of money order crooks and is interested in hearing from anyone who has received a U.S. Postal Service money order which appears to be fraudulent. You can report mail fraud online https://postalinspectors.uspis.gov/ , or call 1-877-876-2455. The CLPD is asking that you do not cash money orders of any type unless you personally know who sent it to you. They are also asking that you don’t send money to anyone unless you are 100% sure you know who you are sending it too. Please remember that if is sounds too good to be true it probably is!
