Last year, P2PForums decided to compile a guide to avoiding rogue P2P sites after it had become apparent that a large number of surfers were falling for file-sharing related scams all over the net. The list has steadily grown since then, and it doesn’t appear that those type of “pay-to-get-free-software” outlets will be disappearing any time soon.
Now a new type of file-sharing scam based on an old idea has started doing the rounds. Taking a tip from the RIAA & MPAA, scammers could now be using fear as their prime tactic to exploit online sharers into coughing up some cash.
Emails have been mass-sent out to random inboxes in the form of legal notices from the recording and motion picture industries. Recipients of the emails are told they have been caught sharing copyrighted works and must visit a link, included in the mail, to pay a small fine.
Now, chances are you’d expect very few people to fall for such a scam, but this type of scam actually has potential to work pretty well.
With mass numbers of internet subscribers receiving notices due to copyright infringement and the media constantly reporting new industry Vs. customer lawsuits, quite a few people could find such a scam believable and could find the idea of settling at a small price somewhat reasonable. As reasonable as “100% legal fast unlimited downloads for just $19.95″ sounds to some, at least.
One of the biggest enforcers for the industry is BayTSP, who ironically give out a P.O. Box number rather than a real address in their legal notices to those who have thrown a Hollywood blockbuster or two in their shared folders and were unlucky enough to get caught. For some, proving that the sender is who they claim to be could be quite a task.
Full story can be found here.
