05/06: Does Video Make Scams Look Better?

Judging by the recent influx of video pitches, the scammers certainly think so.

I'd just been reading Phil Miranda's latest post entitled What Is An Internet Scam and thinking about a video I received yesterday and then deleted, wishing I hadn't because I really wanted to expose it on these pages.

As if by magic I get another video by way of a large traffic exchange - using the same technique as the one I deleted, for a completely different program. I'm not saying this was a scam, it could be genuine. However, it is the approach that bothers me and I will issue a few words of warning.

If I wanted to show you "proof" of something online, it wouldn't be too difficult, so here is how I'm going to do it. I'll cobble together a web page making all the promises, pushing all your buttons about how you can quit the rat race, make a fortune, live happily ever after, spend more time with your family/cat/dog/supermodel - whatever. I'll make the strikingly original claim that "I've done it and YOU can too".I won't labor the point, I hope you get it. But here's the twist, I'll embed a video - it won't be too slick, because I want to prove that I'm just an average Joe, in fact I'm probably not as smart as you. See, I can barely operate this webcam and PC, but it doesn't matter, even a dimwit like me can do what I'm going to share with you.

Show me the money you're thinking - right? OK, I'll hold up an envelope from FedEx....I'll show you the date so you know it's real, it's still sealed even. I'm going to open it live on cam, to prove that this works. Ready? OK, exaggerated opening of package follows, and as if by magic, wow, $1000 in $100 bills. What more proof could anyone want? You want envelopes like this every day too don't you? (well, yeah, of course I do) Just imagine what it will do for YOU!

People, do yourselves a favor - delete the damn thing and forget about it. If was as unprincipled as these con men, do you really think I couldn't scrape together $1000 and Fed Ex it to myself? One of these programs is actually a gifting idea (supposedly) which means highly dubious, probably illegal and extremely unlikely to make you anything except $1000, $2000 or $5000 poorer. It amazes me that anyone would promote this kind of garbage, and if the person who sent it to me was not one of the perpetrators but a gullible "customer" I commiserate and hope you've learned your lesson.

If you're trying to make money online, you'll know how difficult it can be, but if you think you can persuade the average traffic exchange surfer to part with $1000 you're a better salesman than 99% of us. So, please, don't be taken in - your money will serve you better staying in your savings account and kept for investing in something that might genuinely serve your online business efforts. Failing that you could always spend it on luxuries like food.

TCH
Specialist Web Hosting For Marketers

tags: scams, internet scams, get rich quick, avoiding scams, video scams