Mystery Shopping Association Commends Competition Bureau for Fighting Scam

DALLAS--(Business Wire)--
The Mystery Shopping Providers Association commends the Canadian Competition
Bureau for its latest actions against a check scam that takes advantage of the
allure of mystery shopping.

On May 22, the Competition Bureau announced that Lookman Temidayo Adegbola was
found guilty of operating an employment opportunity scam involving counterfeit
checks.

In the mystery shopping version of the scam, United States consumers received an
unsolicited cashier`s check, were asked to cash the check and wire a portion of
the money back to a specified address, while conducting a brief evaluation of
the wiring service. In some cases, they were also asked to conduct evaluations
of other retailers. The letter promised payment by keeping a portion of the
check. In reality, the check was bogus and bounced several days later, leaving
the consumer liable for the entire amount of the check.

A Competition Bureau news release stated that following a trial by judge and
jury in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Adegbola, 33, was found guilty of
a number of offences pursuant to the Criminal Code: fraud over $5000; forgery;
possession of instruments of forgery; and uttering forged documents. Sentencing
for Adegbola will take place on September 15, 2009.

"The MSPA appreciates and applauds the efforts of the Competition Bureau to
fight this scam and protect the victims it targets, along with protecting the
validity and reputation of legitimate mystery shopping," said Judi Hess, MSPA
president. "The MSPA works to maintain a positive image for legitimate mystery
shopping so that its membership can focus on helping businesses improve their
customer service."

MSPA has been working with numerous U.S. and Canadian authorities to support
efforts to pursue the scammers who have been using mystery shopping as their
lure.

About MSPA
With more than 300 member companies worldwide, the MSPA has a diverse
membership, including marketing research and merchandising companies, private
investigation firms, training organizations and companies that specialize in
providing mystery shopping services. Its goals are to establish professional
standards and ethics for the industry, educate providers, clients and shoppers
to improve quality of service, improve the image of the industry and promote the
membership to other industry associations and prospective clients.

Hart Associates for MSPA
Kelly Hancock, 419-893-9600
khancock@hartinc.com

Copyright Business Wire 2009