Victim Location 75778
Type of a scam Phishing
Received a paper check for $3250 with instructions to evaluate his bank when purchasing a chasier’s ck for $50 made out to American Cancer Society and if they won’t cash check, deposit it & hold for 24 hrs. $350 for personal payment. Send a picture for the "chaser’s check". Go to Walmart & purchase $2700 in Walmart gift cards ($450 each) and keep $140 to spend at both Walmarts to purchase personal items. If asked why he’s purchasing these, tell them you are purchasing them for loved ones. These instructions came from Louis Hernandez.
Victim Location 74955
Type of a scam Employment
Received fake cashier check for online employment. I received the package thru UPS priority mail.
Victim Location 37307
Type of a scam Employment
Sent a cashiers check for $2,400. Was supposed to buy Walmart gifts cards with it and send pics of the gift cards numbers. Got texts messages from the person giving more details. The victim is a minor, age 14.
Victim Location 23860
Type of a scam Employment
I was looking for a job on indeed and was contacted about a mystery shopper job
Victim Location 78124
Type of a scam Employment
I received a text message about a Secret Shopper opportunity. I am currently unemployed, only doing small jobs here and there, such as Favor and HEB delivery part time. So, when I saw an opportunity to make $335, it really got my attention. I replied to the text message with my name, address, and DOB. They also asked how I would like to receive my funds for doing the SS and I selected to have a cashier’s check. I did not receive any other text communication. However, about 2 weeks later I received a Priority Mail envelope containing a cashier’s check in the amount of $2,435, and an instruction sheet. The instruction sheet indicated that Posted Jobs Inc is a commercial Audit firm based in the "United States of America" with a "specialty in the audit of commercial service centers where services are being rendered to the average population". It went on to say that their services "are backed up with cutting edge professionalism developed over the past 33 years". It also noted that "this assignment was approved by Wal-Mart via the application you filled". Numerous typos and punctuation errors were found up to this point in the letter.
Upon receipt of the mailed envelope, I was to text the following information: Agency number/ First Name/ Assignment Batch/Date to (510) 358-8255 or (510) 629-5866. I was to deposit the check and deduct my "upfront payment of $335" while taking " $1200 to 1st Wal-Mart store to purchase Four (4) Wal-Mart gift cards worth $300 each". I was then to "proceed to the 2nd store with the $900 balance to purchase (3) Wal-Mart gift cards".
Once gift cards were purchased, I was to "scratch each of the cards to reveal its 16 digit code as well as 4 digit pin code, take a picture of each and send to your coordinator via MMS" to phone numbers provided above.
It was emphasized to "remain as discreet as possible, they should not have any idea that you are conducting a survey".
Once pictures of the gift cards have been sent to my coordinator "for approval, your coordinator upon receiving all pictures confirms/approves you can thrash the cards". I was to then write my report based on the guidelines and format given, and send my report to [email protected]
Victim Location 85335
Type of a scam Fake Check/Money Order
Saw info about mystery shopper online. Filled out online application. Received by priority mail instructions, sheet to fill out and cashier’s check.
Victim Location 95823
Type of a scam Employment
Received text message inviting application for employment, then received confirmation followed by the attached letter. Format and grammar/punctuation seemed unprofessional as well as the instructions to cash a check. I was supposed to take cash to Walmart and purchase gift cards then take photos of scratched off codes to a text number.