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Aside from the obvious, bad economic times are really…just bad. “Authorities” will tell you that a bad economy opens the flood gate of opportunity for scammers, but that’s really not true.

Scammers may get a little more press during the bad times, but that’s “misery loves company” journalism, not more scammers joining the ranks.

Good times, bad times, the reality is, there is a large percentage of folks who simply have zero interest in working, and never will, regardless of educational, social or any opportunities extended or available.Why not try a scam?

The real shame though, is that scammers get in the way of people who either are working or want to. Take this for example.

Craig’s List is an invaluable repository for many things, including those looking for work, or “gigs.” I’ve not researched this, but would not be surprised to learn that people find more work on Craig’s List than through government employment security offices. Craig’s List is the seventh highest visited Internet site, which tells a lot. Anyhow, the Craig’s List Ad that caught my eye goes like this:

“FAST programmer to program music download link today!”

Sticking a link on a web page is not brain surgery, and “programming” skills are not required. For those with inquiring minds and empty pockets, a “tell me more” e-mail to the poster will get you this:

“Great. I’m behind because another guy promised me he could do the same and after a week, I discovered he was putting it through a wholesaler to iTunes and the other digital mx distribution sites.  What I need is a simple page that comes up when they click the link with the Twilight Soundtrack Album artwork that fades text in that says, “Atlantic Records wants to charge you twice to download the Twilight Soundtrack just to get Edward’s favorite music, Claire de Lune.  But since I played it, recorded it, and own the master recording that is in the movie soundtrack, I am making it available to you for $1, with my most heartfelt appreciation to the director, who chose my performance over hundreds she could have used.”

Then after they pay their $1 into my Wells Fargo Account, they get a code that will let them download the film version of the track and subsequent versions, which I am planning to make available free to those who download within a month of our link going up.  The soundtrack has sold 2 million CDs and 500,000 digital downloads with the Claire de Lune track, which I arranged and performed.  If we can reach even a fraction of that audience, we stand to make a lot of money just from downloads.  I propose a very high percentage for your work if you can get this up and actually paying into my account today.

The usual record company rate for established artists is 2% of the gross.  I am offering you 10% IF you can keep the link updated and work with me getting the announcement out to fans, of which there are literally millions the world over.  By the way, there have been a LOT of complaints that Atlantic did it this way, made them buy the runaway hit track, Claire de Lune, ONLY as a package with the entire track (there are also two additional tracks that nobody cares about).  They made a big misstep that could result in our making lots of money and satisfying our fans.  We are Robin Hood in this instance (and Robin Hood lived well – if only for the fact he had Maid Marian!).  Please let me know if you can do this.  I do not have any cash to put upfront until we start getting money in – APM and Atlantic have completely stiffed me and are being sued, but that is a different story – it just means I have a budget of zero to work with, all of which will change in a matter of days if we can get this link up!

P.S. The charger on my cell phone has gone missing, too, so even reaching me via phone is a little difficult.  You will need to leave me your number and a time I can reach you if you wish to speak in person.  (And all I really want is my Jaguar back from repo!)”

A long read, yes, but both funny and sad, in a way. There are plenty of “red flags,” but what really did it for me was the part about the band, and the song. Claude Debussy’s; Clair de Lune? I mean, you’d have a problem giving away autographed copies of the CD, even to the execs at Atlantic Records.

As for other useless items, add my bank account number to the list, it’s all yours!

This entry was posted on Thursday, June 4th, 2009 at 11:30 pm and is filed under Losungen. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.