TenthOfMarch.com

Scam, scam, scam. Will it ever end? I went over to Jee’s blog and read his latest post Scam warning. He said he “almost got cheated by a scam” and asked to “help spread the warning“. After reading his explanation on “what happened”, I realized if I were in his situation, I could have been cheated as well.

Unlike the other examples that I have given in the past that uses “greed” to cheat the victims, this scam reported by Jee uses “fear”. It triggers your fears in hope that you will lose rationality of the situation. Thankfully, he was able to sense something amiss and consulted his sister before taking further actions.

Earlier today, I read a notice posted on Hotlink’s website regarding a scam that was spreading through sms that started only last month. I couldn’t locate that page anymore. I’ll link it here if I can ever find it again.

There are 101 scams out there — online and offline. Consider yourself warned.

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On one sunny afternoon about a week ago, I found a piece of folded paper stuck at my gate. Immediately after unfolding it, I realized what it was an automatically threw it into the bin. I must have seen dozens of “brochures” like that in the past. About 5 seconds later, I picked up the brochure, dust it clean and kept it neatly. No, I’m not about to bet my life away in this scam. I was planning to use it to warn others.

It read, “Keputusan dalam 3 hari. Pasti mengubah kehidupan anda” which translates to “Results in 3 days. Sure to change your life“. It was a typical looking “4D scam brochure” with the following information:

1. Master’s photo (the one who will be giving away the winning numbers)
2. “Past winner’s” testimonials
3. “Winning tickets” that matches the result
4. How/what the “past winner” gave back to the Master as a thank you gesture.

Few days ago, I read an article in the newspaper entitled, “Betting on ‘winning digits’ led deliveryman to lose everything“. The man gambled away all his savings and was left “with only RM14 left to his name“. Has greed taken away the ability to think rationally? Humans do make mistakes, but to fall for the same scam over and over again is ridiculous.

The newspaper also reported that “He also suggested that victims lodge police reports so that action can be taken against unscrupulous syndicates“. This is one thing I have never understood. I am sure the police are well aware of such syndicates/scams. Not to mention the other scams that are lurking out there. The question is, “Why must a police report be lodge before investigation/action is taken?” If they blame it on “procedure”, their own personnel could have lodge a police report themselves, no?

To wait for an official “report” or complaint before they start an investigation is ridiculous. Especially if they are already aware that such scams are under operation. Even the telephone number is printed on the brochure. What are they waiting for? Go under cover, pretend to be a “victim” and nab the conman in action!

This post is meant to deter people away from scams. There must be 101 different types of scams out there. It depends on your own wits and rationality to differentiate scams from opportunities. Remember the old saying that goes, “If something sounds too good to be true, it probably is!“

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There must be hundreds of “make money online” or “get rick quick” programs on the Internet. Some of them would claim that their program will enable you to earn hundreds of dollars in a day. What is their proof? Most of the time, they’ll display some sample cheques that shows how much they claim they have made. Another common method will be to display print screens of monthly earning statements, paypal statements, or monthly bank statements.

Some of these scam artists’ work is amateurish. However, others look too good to be fakes. So how do you distinguish whether it’s real or not? Well, just use your head. Would someone who earns thousands or even tens of thousands of dollars a month, sell you his secret for $9.95 or maybe $50? Don’t be surprised if you find out that their “secret” is…

“Go create a website. Tell everybody you have a secret to earnings thousands of dollars a month. Sell your ’secret’ for $50. Get 20 buyers and you’ve just made your first thousand!”.

If you are arguing that those monthly earning statements, paypal statements or bank statements look real, beware that those might be photoshoped or edited somehow. Still not convinced that “MOST” of them are fakes?

I read one article from digg.com some time ago entitled CRAZY cool javascript : Edit whatever you want on ANY page : Images, Text. With the technique mentioned in the article, you can literally edit anything on most websites. With proper cover-up techniques, you won’t notice any foul play with the print screen. Since I don’t have a paypal account (yet), I’ll show you what I did on my Google Adsense statements.

A BIG NOTE: All the modifications and print screens below are for educational purpose only. No harm intended. It doesn’t represent the website’s true view or opinion.

I know that my Google Adsense revenue is nothing to be proud off. Give me a break, I’ve just started blogging for a month or so. If I’m blessed, it may look something like the one below in a year’s time.

Currently, you’ll see this at The Star’s website.

And if I’m really really blessed, you may just see this article some time in the future.

My grades during university was OK to me. I really wonder how some people could managed to get all As. NERDS!

Forget about studying hard or smart. This proves that you only need to know some technologies to have great results.

Well, whatever makes me happy.

Conclusion? There’s a big bunch of scams out there. You have to depend on your wits and judgement to identify which are scams, and which are potential opportunities. Instead of wasting your money on scams, may I suggest you donate the money to me.

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