Tony's received an email offering a great return, for less than ten minutes of effort a day...
It's a new year, so a belated but happy and scam-free 2012 to all lovemoney.com readers.
But while it is a new year, the same old scams show no sign of disappearing, so don't ever expect any let up in the attacks on your bank balances. After all, as long as there is a mug out there falling for a scheme, then there will be someone aiming to exploit their greed or simplicity.
Watch the money roll in
First up is a beguiling email that offers me $720 a day for doing... well, absolutely nothing. Or, at worst, very little. All I need is a computer and, presumably, a comfortable chair so I can sit back and watch the money roll in.
It's not only effortless – it's 24/7 as this plan supposedly works even when you really want to stay under the duvet because you can't face the world.
The promised earnings work out at some £160,000 annually, which, unless you are an investment banker, probably beats the day job. And as it's “home-based”, you don't have to worry about travelling to work. So forget season ticket increases or the ever rising car costs.
This offer comes from a guy with an apparently Brazilian name who claims to live in Rio de Janeiro. But, he could be in Rochester or Rostock or anywhere.
It's the end of the world as we know it...
But first the shocking warning. His email starts with:
"Tony. Do you believe that this year will be the last? The media says they have PROOF from a prophet that predicts 2012 will be the end of the world."
Well, if that doesn't whet your interest, what will? Clicking the link leads to a 15 minute video where the end of the world theme evaporates after 15 seconds. But the sender has got my attention and, because I fell for the doomsday line, they know I'm probably some sort of conspiracy nutcase - exactly the sort of person who will believe almost anything.
The hidden internet elite
So there's bold statements of “the shocking truth”, “the secret guru community” and “the hidden internet elite who have been scamming people like you”. “They” have been “stealing from you” but Paul – the star of the video – is willing to share the confidential facts and blow open the doors that prevent you getting into “powerful, hidden, money making secrets”.
It says all this money is mine if I follow Paul's instructions. He says I have only to work seven minutes a day thanks to some piece of software called the commission autopilot automatic suite. This is apparently more powerful than Twitter and Facebook put together. That must be news to the big social media guns.
Paul tells me there are “millions of hungry buyers” out there. But despite my best efforts, I still have no idea by the end of the video what these people want to purchase.
However, I discover that I need to send $47 to get started on my new “stress-free” life of “success and living debt-free”. Once I've paid that, I can enrol on the “seven week route to financial freedom” for which I shall presumably have to fork out yet again.
Be like Joe from New Jersey!
How real is it? Neither the website or the video has any evidence of the $720 a day promise. The best seems to be testimonials from the likes of “Joe from New Jersey” who claims he made $100.
Of course, the proposition here is a “magic money” or “cash generator” deal. If enough people believe you have secret software designed to harvest oodles of dollars/pounds/euros and pay you for it, then you could become wealthy. The product is hope – and that springs eterrnal. There's a 60 day money back guarantee but using that would admit failure. And who wants to do that?
Even pressing “unsubscribe” on the email is the mark of the loser.
My guy from Brazil writes: “If you want to lose your competitive advantage in the marketplace by no longer receiving these valuable messages packed with useful tips, tricks and resources on how to be a successful internet network marketer and affiliate marketer and NEVER have to go through the frustration and pain of buying or calling a lead ever again then follow the directions below.
(Keep in mind, you will lose access to ALL upcoming emails and bonuses forever.)
So what is the secret of the hidden internet elite? Spam millions of emails and hope enough send you $47 every day.