A “mystery shopper” scam has resurfaced on social media, police warned today.

A spokesman for the Bermuda Police Service said that the scam offered work as a mystery shopper with the potential to earn thousands of dollars by “completing seemingly innocuous tasks, such as purchasing items, then reporting back on their experience”.

He added that people who agreed to take part would have money put into their back account and told that they could keep a small amount as payment for their work.

The spokesman said: “They are then asked to withdraw the remainder of the cash and instructed to send that money overseas via a local money service business.”

But he explained: “Any funds deposited into local accounts through this scheme often originate from crime, mainly phishing scams or other electronic fraud, and local residents deceived by the scam are unwittingly being used to launder criminal proceeds.”

The spokesman said that local banks were likely to freeze the assets of anyone who became involved.

He added that any suspected fraudulent scheme should be reported to police on 247-1757 or by e-mail at fraud@bps.bm.

For more information on how to avoid fraud, visit www.gov.bm/how-to-avoid-and-report-scams.