GPT Frauder Owns Up!

Everyone by now has heard of the massive fraud that’s eating away at the foundations of the Get Paid To (GPT) industry. But who would do such a thing, some of you may ask. Don’t they realize what it is doing to the rest of the honest members? Recently I had the chance to speak with one of the people who do exactly that – figure out sneaky ways to fraud companies. In a multiple part interview and exposé, I will take you into the mind of the GPT frauder. You will be shocked and surprised at the deviousness and meticulous planning behind one of the biggest scammers to have been seen in years.

A sixteen-year-old teenage boy, he is quite well-known in the industry. He owns several websites, each supporting the other in an intricate web of deceit and assumed identities. I contacted him via AIM and his websites…and so it began.

First, he explained that he bought a pre-paid card. Most GPTers use these cards to protect themselves against possible identity theft, etc. Not this guy! He uses to so that he may take advantage of the fact that once it’s run out – people can no longer take money. Therefore, he is free and clear of any issues such as monthly fees, collection agencies, etc. Here’s one example of what he used it for. He signed up for the popular 4Seasons Wine promotion. For a small shipping fee, you buy some wine, and then if you keep it, there is a fee for the wine. (Note: He is underage….he bluffed his age to the company. It was easy for him due to the fact he had a prepaid.) He bought the wine, collected his $40, and then sat back and waited. Sure enough…a bill for $146 arrived in the mail. What follows is a direct quote from the AIM transcripts:

[17:32] [name removed]:  I got a bill today for $146.56 from some company for ordering that wine.
[17:33] GPTReview: 4seasons?
[17:33] [name removed]:  Yes!
[17:33] [name removed]:   So I call and put on my kiddy voice and was like "I got a note today saying that I owe Merchant Direct $146 for wine. and I'm only 14 (not really), I don't drink.”

Having glibly lied to the collection agency, they quickly apologized for having mistaken him for the person who ordered the wine, and hung up. He gloated for a while over his victory…and then realized…if one company could be fooled this way, then the possibilities for him were endless.

Looking on forums, he saw that someone was talking about a new site they had just launched…a site reviewing and promoting certain GPTs.  Gears began to turn in his head. A site reviewing GPTs…with this he could garner both referrals and spread the word about how he managed to circumvent the system!

He quickly registered two websites, and posted some content. One of his very first “tutorials” was titled: How to Avoid Collection Notices (Has been since taken down due to the fact that site owners are checking out blogs and such. He did not want to be caught.) . He was pleased with how many people looked at his site, knowing he was perpetrating what could possibly be the downfall of an entire means of income for families across the globe.

What was next for him? Spreading the word for his site in any way that he could...no matter what he had to say. Next article, I'll tell you how I discovered his intricate web of deceit all across the internet's forums. As a preview, here is a snippet of the AIM conversation from when I revealed that I had found out about his many personas.

[17:51] [name removed]: How'd you find out?
[17:52] GPTReview: Well I was posting in some of those forums and decided to read your posts
[17:52] GPTReview: You went from college student to 15 year old to mother of three in like seven posts
[17:52] GPTReview: So which is it? :P
[17:52] [name removed]: Wtf.
[17:52] [name removed]: shhh
[17:53] GPTReview: Are you a college student who is only 15 years old and has three kids?
[17:53] [name removed]: Yes
[17:53] [name removed]: Brb, gotta go put the kids asleep.
[17:54] GPTReview: <yanks you by the collar of your shirt>
[17:54] GPTReview: Nu uh - I dont fall for THAT
[17:54] [name removed]: ROFL
[17:55] [name removed]: You do what you gotta do to get refs.

Click the arrow below for part two!