Mystery Shopper Scam UK: Spot a Fake Cheque Job
A genuine mystery shopping job doesn't need you to bank a cheque and send money onwards.
What the mystery shopper scam looks like
This scam is an unsolicited job offer to become a "mystery shopper", testing a service like a money-transfer provider. You're sent a cheque, told to bank it, keep a portion as your fee, and wire the rest on to someone else. An example of the style: Deposit the enclosed cheque, then visit a Western Union or MoneyGram branch to test our transfer service — keep £50 for your time. The cheque is fraudulent or later returned, but by then you've already sent real money of your own.
Why it's convincing
Genuine mystery shopping does exist, so the idea of being paid to evaluate a service doesn't sound far-fetched. The cheque can also look and initially behave like a normal one. That makes the job feel legitimate at exactly the point you're asked to wire money on.
Signs a mystery shopper job is a scam
- You're offered the job unsolicited, often via an ad on a general classifieds site.
- You're sent a cheque before doing any actual shopping or evaluation work.
- You're asked to wire part of the money via a money-transfer service, keeping a "fee" for yourself.
- The amount you're asked to bank is far more than a genuine mystery-shop task would cost.
- There's pressure to act quickly, often citing a deadline for the "evaluation".
How the scam works step by step
First, an unsolicited ad or message offers paid mystery-shopping work. Second, you're sent a cheque and told to deposit it, keep a portion as payment, and wire the remainder to a named individual via a money-transfer service. Third, you wire the money while the cheque appears to be processing. Fourth, the cheque is returned or treated as fraudulent, and you can be left liable for the money you already sent.
Why a cheque that appears in your account isn't proof the job is genuine
A cheque appearing in your account isn't the same as the whole arrangement being genuine. The practical rule is simpler: no legitimate mystery shopping task should require you to deposit a cheque and then send part of it onwards by wire transfer, gift card, cryptocurrency, or any other hard-to-reverse method.
If you've already deposited and wired money
Contact your bank immediately and explain what happened. Stop all further contact with whoever sent the cheque, and don't wire anything else. If you've forwarded money as part of this scheme, report it and seek advice rather than continuing.
How to report a mystery shopper scam (UK)
Report it to Report Fraud at reportfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040 if you're in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland. In Scotland, report to Police Scotland on 101.
Frequently asked questions
Is mystery shopping itself a genuine way to earn money?
Yes, legitimate mystery shopping exists. The scam is being sent money first and told to forward part of it on before you've done any real evaluation work.
Why does the cheque I was sent look like it has cleared, if it's fake?
A payment appearing in your account doesn't prove the job is genuine. Don't treat a cheque as safe when the task requires you to send money onwards.
I've already wired money from a mystery shopper cheque — what do I do?
Contact your bank immediately, stop all further contact with whoever sent the cheque, and report it to Report Fraud. Acting quickly gives the best chance of limiting the damage.
Could I get in trouble for wiring money as part of this scheme?
Potentially. Forwarding money for someone else can create serious problems even if you didn't understand the scheme. Report it and seek advice rather than continuing.
How do I report a mystery shopper scam?
Report it to Report Fraud at reportfraud.police.uk or 0300 123 2040 (Police Scotland on 101 in Scotland).