A Murfreesboro man was duped out of almost five-thousand dollars through an on-line Secret Shopper scam.

Brian Patterson told Murfreesboro Police that he joined what he thought was a legitimate group that reportedly would pay up to $200 per shopping event. He told officers that two checks were sent to him with instructions to cash them, keep the amount alloted for him and then wire the balance to an address that was furnished.  

According to the police report, Patterson did not have an account at a local bank, so he cashed the check where his employer does business. The check turned-out to be bogus, and Patterson was left holding the bag.

Officer Kyle Evans earlier said, "The public needs to always be cautious of anything that appears too good to be true."