Kissimmee police detectives are warning the public of an Internet scam targeting individuals seeking employment.

On Nov. 30, a 28-year-old female victim reported to police about a scheme designed to defraud people. She said that in the effort to gain employment, she had placed her resumé on several career Internet sites. In October, she received a letter in the mail from ARG – American Research Group, out of Kentucky. The letter congratulated the victim on being selected, on a trial basis, as a secret shopper, police reports said. The letter had a cashier’s check for the amount $2,495 attached to it. The victim was instructed to deposit the check into her personal checking account. As a part of her trial employment, she was to take the $2,495 to a Western Union location and wire the funds back to ARG – American Research Group. The victim was to evaluate the wire process as a secret shopper, reports said.

On Nov. 18, the victim received a notice from her bank that the cashier’s check had been dishonored. The copy of the check was stamped “altered/fictitious” and that she was being held accountable for the $2,495. The victim has tried to contact ARG – American Research Group to discuss the situation but has not been able to talk with anyone.

“Unfortunately, frauds like this one are becoming more prevalent,” Chief Fran Iwanski said. “It is important for job seekers to research employers in the same manner employers are researching employees. Be suspicious of any cashier’s check that is sent to you in the mail unsolicited.  It is important to ask questions in order to protect yourself from fraud.”