Complaint Review: Secret Shopper Inc.

LinkedIn Scam.  Received an email through a LinkedIn connection that I had made in the past.  I received this email through LinkedIn directly from the contact telling me about a part-time job that he did in the evening part-time.  I would have been suspicious if the email came from someone I had never dealt with but his email actually came from an associate who is in high level managerment with his picture, once again using LinkedIn.  I believed everything about the email.

I sent the recommended company the information requested.  Thank goodness they didn't ask for my SS#.  A few days later I received an email stating I had been hired and that I would be receiving my first assignment and funds to complete this assignment.  The envelope arrived by Priority Mail.  I read my assistment along with the enclosed funds in the form of cashiers check in the amount of $2950.  I was told to deposit the check keep $400 for myself and do an evaluation of Money Gram.  The rest of the money (cash only) was to be sent to Ortiz Nazario Orlando at (((REDACTED))), Bayamon, Puerto Rico  00956. This was a huge red flag!   My gut said something was wrong but I didn't listen to it.  I deposited the check at my bank but was definitely going to wait for the check to clear.  After I deposited the check, I just felt ill and started doing in depth research on the company(s).  Low and behold, I found a report on this website from someone else. Everything in the report matched what I had.  I immediately called my bank and had all funds placed on hold and wanted the deposit returned.

My contact person with Secret Shopper, Inc. was Michael Durcan, phone number (((REDACTED))).  He will text you to make sure you got the check, I did not respond.  The next day he texted me twice wanting to know why I wasn't responding.  Once I had everything under control for myself, which included closing my checking account, etc. I decided to respond.  I let Mr. Michael Durcan know that the bank was holding his cashiers check, and that the FBI was checking my computer, phone, letter/evelope, etc.  That was the last text I have received.  

All I can say is listen to your gut, don't be fooled.  This ring of crooks is very good.  I actually contacted my LinkedIn connection and he was absolutly shocked that his LinkedIn profile was being used to swindle people.  

Good luck and watch your back.  Please let all of your acquaintances know of this scam, especially if they use LinkedIn.