randy_byers: (2009-05-10)
randy_byers ([personal profile] randy_byers) wrote2014-02-01 10:58 am
Entry tags:

Phishing?

Okay, here's an e-mail I got yesterday that I don't really grok:

Hi,

We are interested in producing editorial content for your site.

We would be happy to pay an administration fee of $90 for your time spent reviewing and publishing our content referencing our client, one of the largest entertainment and gaming operators in the UK & worldwide. The content will be professionally written in line with your site’s tone and voice.

Payment can be made by PayPal.

I appreciate your consideration and look forward to hearing from you.

Sincerely,
Carson Bland
Marketing Assistant


I assume the point of this is to get me to visit the URL they give in order to download malware on my computer or something. Very strange.

[identity profile] surliminal.livejournal.com 2014-02-01 07:40 pm (UTC)(link)
Its astroturfing - trying to make it look like there's genuine fan support for some entertainment product of theirs. As Mike says the money is prob genuine but do you really want to be involved? I have had similar offers (even more bizarre and less connected to my own content) for my law blawg.

EDIT : or even more likely, yeh, link farming. I wouldn't bother reporting - Google's algorithm catches up..
Edited 2014-02-01 19:41 (UTC)

[identity profile] randy-byers.livejournal.com 2014-02-01 07:44 pm (UTC)(link)
No, I would certainly never participate in something like this. Or at least it would take a lot more than ninety bucks!

[identity profile] don-fitch.livejournal.com 2014-02-01 08:43 pm (UTC)(link)
Oh, yeah -- i'd probably do several rather dodgy things for seven million dollars, but for ninety... no way. I wouldn't want my friends to think I'm that chintzy.

[identity profile] randy-byers.livejournal.com 2014-02-01 09:01 pm (UTC)(link)
My thoughts exactly!