The Windsor Police Service is again warning the public of another fraudulent financial scam. The WPS Financial Crimes Branch has recently received a number of complaints regarding a fraud known as the Mystery Shopper Scam.  This scam involves citizens of the city of Windsor responding to both online and classified advertisements for employment.  After responding to these ads, they receive response letters from companies. Two companies that have surfaced thus far are using the names SUNLIFE RESOURCE and REGENT RESEARCH.  A fraudulent cheque accompanies the letters in varying amounts between $1500 and $15000.

The letters will instruct the victim to cash the fraudulent cheque, keep a 10% fee and then wire the remainder of the funds back to the company in order to test the wire transfer system.  The cheque is fraudulent, will not clear, and the victim will be accountable for the entire amount of the cheque.

The Windsor Police Service is reminding the public of this type of fraud and are advising people never to wire money to any person or company who is unknown to you.  The lost money is almost always unrecoverable.

Anyone encountering this type of fraud is asked to call the Windsor Police Financial Crimes Branch at 519-255-6700 ext 4330.

Please direct any media inquiries regarding this release to S/Sgt. Gerry Corriveau at 519-255-6700 ext 4325.  Please be advised that copies of the fraudulent cheques and the accompanying letters are available for inspection.

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