November 8, 2024 • By Dennis Beaver
We all know someone who is sick and tired of their 9 to 5 job and would love to start a business or get into investing and earn a large income.
“Sadly, so often they fall for online business or coaching scams that promise guaranteed income,” says Ian Lamont, of Auburndale, MA, who is well acquainted with both victims and online hucksters.
He is an award-winning independent publisher and the founder of i30 Media Corporation.
Through his blog and video channels, Lamont has been shining a spotlight on internet scams for years.
“Instead of making money, victims lose tens of thousands of dollars,” Lamont points out, “And this is a great time to be an online scammer, as the major internet platforms are doing virtually nothing to prevent these incredibly convincing ads from running.”
Wannabe authors are a target
One of the scams I’ve seen run very convincing ads states that even if you have no writing experience, using their AI, you can produce a book in one sitting to sell on Amazon, that will earn you thousands of dollars a month.
To get started, just fork over $2,000. To prove their point, “average” people who use their services show checks displaying large dollar amounts. Fake, fake, fake!
“Desperate people get sucked into these publishing schemes, they usually don’t make any money. Huge amounts of time and money are wasted with these hucksters who upsell victims to master classes or services that have little practical value.”
How they Suck You In
Lamont outlined the way these book scammers reel you in:
— You watch the scammer’s video on YouTube or TikTok, and think, ‘It seems great. Wow! I can make thousands of dollars per month writing and publishing books on Amazon. Sign me up.’
— You are invited to subscribe to their email newsletter that offers a free video ‘to get started.’
— Inflated promises are made about how easy it is to make thousands of dollars publishing. They’ll sell you ‘an easy’ formula that will let you do it too.
— Their emails become more and more insistent that you agree to pay for training.
— Credit cards are not accepted as they can be charged back. They insist on direct bank transfers, making it difficult to get out once you realize it is a scam.
— Often they recommend writing a family history, but fail to tell the truth that no one outside of you family will ever buy the book.
Online Platforms Don’t Seem To Care
“You would think that online platforms would block their ads. But they want as many businesses as possible, submitting content and paying for advertising. These platforms are fully aware of what’s going on and could go all the way to the top, like DEA does with drug dealers, but thus far have shown little interest in doing so.”
Read Better Business Complaints
My guess is that just about everyone who turns on their computer late at night has seen various self-publishing or assisted publishing ads. If you are in any way tempted, take a look at Reddit and Better Business Bureau reviews and complaints.
Here are actual comments and complaints from the BBB online postings by people who have fallen for the scams:
— The product is worthless.
— Refusal to issue a refund, claiming to have technical limitations with processing the refund.
— Promotional material was supposed to lead to a comprehensive book publishing assistance course, but instead to a series of internet links for additional services.
— There has been a system issue for the last 30 days that doesn’t allow the AI tool to be used at all. This has been the most misleading product I have ever purchased. If you are considering purchasing this program the best advice I can give you is to run! The tool has absolutely zero utility! Scam product!
Only One Major Platform Responded
I emailed several of the major internet platforms, asking, “Why do you allow these scammers to advertise on your platform?” Only Google (which owns YouTube) replied, and stated that illegal and misleading advertising is forbidden and they try to stamp it out.
How to Protect Yourself
Lamont offers these suggestions to anyone tempted to get involved with these companies offering to make you rich with little effort:
If you find out the name of the firm, and oftentimes, if you sign up for their email address, you’ll have to go to a website. You can Google the name of the website. And then, right after that, put the word ‘scam’ and see the results that turn up.
Trying to find authentic accounts from real people can be hard to do, because most people are hiding behind anonymous Internet handles, or you’re not really sure who they are or where they’re coming from, or if they have some sort of agenda, but try to get a variety of opinions on what these schemes and scams are.
Dennis Beaver Practices law in Bakersfield and welcomes comments and questions from readers,
which may be faxed to (661) 323-7993,
or e-mailed to Lagombeaver1 – at – Gmail.com.