A woman fell victim to a money laundering scam after applying for a job as a mystery shopper.
The woman applied online to become a mystery shopper and was sent travellers’ cheques worth 2,000 euros for carrying out two customer services assignments.
But the tasks involved her receiving the cheques and putting them into her account before forwarding them onto an account in the Philippines.
She was to receive 200 euros for the work but became suspicious and discovered it was a scam.
Lancashire County Council’s trading standards has today warned against such websites.
County Coun Albert Atkinson said: “It would appear the opportunity to work as a mystery shopper was a ruse being used by criminals to use the unwitting victim to cash their forged cheques and transfer the money abroad.
“Anyone trying to cash fake cheques would potentially be implicated in money laundering and face having to repay the bank the 2,000 euros.
“Our advice is to be suspicious of any scheme that involves handling money or cheques for a third party and to be very careful who you give your name and address details to online.”
To report fraud call 0300 123 2040.