Is a secret shopper scam different from a legitimate mystery shopping job?
Yes. Legitimate mystery shopping pays modest amounts and never involves wire transfers. Scams use the mystery shopper label to recruit money mules.
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Explanation
Legitimate mystery shopping companies pay small amounts — typically £10 to £40 per task — for visiting real shops, restaurants, or services and completing evaluation forms. They recruit through established mystery shopping networks and never ask workers to wire or transfer money on behalf of the company. Scam mystery shopper jobs recruit via email, text, or social media with high promised earnings, send a cheque or bank transfer for far more than required, and ask the 'shopper' to evaluate wire transfer services by sending a portion of the money via Western Union or another wire service. The cheque bounces after the wire is sent, and the victim is liable for the full amount transferred. The 'evaluation' role is a cover for money laundering using unwitting mules.
Common red flags
- Recruitment by unsolicited email or text message
- Assignment involves evaluating a wire transfer or money service
- Payment arrives in excess of what you need and you are asked to forward the difference
- Cheque or e-transfer arrives before you have signed any contract
- Company cannot be found in the Mystery Shopping Professionals Association directory
What to do now
- Do not cash the cheque and do not forward any money
- Report to your bank if you already cashed the cheque
- Report the scam to your national fraud authority
- Find legitimate mystery shopping work through verified industry associations
Frequently asked questions
How do I find legitimate mystery shopping work?
Join established networks such as the Mystery Shopping Professionals Association or Ipsos Mystery Shopping. Legitimate companies never require you to handle money transfers or use your own funds.