Advertising SCAM.....IMPORTANT!!!

by kaluuu

Posted: 13 years ago 45 replies

INTERNET MARKETING

Didnt knew where to put this topic.

A few days back i recieved this email:
---------------------------------------------------------------------

Message Body:
Hi,

We are looking for new advertisement platforms and we are interested in your site xxx.com.
Is it possible to place banner on your site on a fee basis?

Best regards,
Julien Fontaine

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I responded to it and i got another email:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hello,

Thanks for reply to our proposal!

I represent Lego Agency. At the moment we are preparing an advertising campaign for Lacoste Company (it is a French company producing clothes, footwear, perfumery etc.) We already have designed banners for the campaign, they are the following sizes: 160x600, 240x400, 300x250, 336x280, 468x60, 728x90.
What can be your price for one banner (banner should appear at ALL pages of your site) of abovementioned sizes (please specify the place for the banner - top, bottom, left, right)? Please mention a normal link for banner, without javascript code and set prices in US dollars per month.

Best regards,
Julien Fontaine.
site: www.lego-agency.com
e-mail: jfontaine@lego-agency.com
phone: + (0)9 78 62 78 88

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After i responded again I recieved a last message :

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Hi!

Thanks for reply to our proposal!
We like your price. Banner will lead to one of Lacoste sites.

To pass to the banner control system follow the link http://webmaster.lego-agency.com
To enter use the following data:

login: xxx.com
password: xxxxxxxxxx

You should install and activate the plugin in order to display advertisement. Before making payment, advertiser must approve location of the banner. The banner will be shown on your site when you add special code to your web- address (for example: http://xxx.com/?adv_test=1). It means, that visitors will see the banner only if it is approved and payment made.

To get installation instruction for your site type pass to: Lego Agency /
To activate your site you have to enter the code: xxx-xxx-xxx

What way of payment is suitable for you?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

After i installed the plugin and did everything. I didnt recieved an answer.

That was suspicios and i uninstaled and deleted the plugin.

And checked on Google for more information about this. (thing that i should do in the first time).

And a lot of people fall into this scam, but the problem is that nobody knows what that script will do...... what was its purpose.

Does anybody know more about this? What are they after?

#advertising #scamimportant

Wally Conger 13 years ago

Thanks for the alert about this.
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godinu 13 years ago

I too have thought a recent request to place a banner ad on my site was a scam. It was from a different company which appeared to be a legit French advertising agency. The main reason I was suspicious is because the site of mine which they wanted to advertise on gets minimal traffic and has had a header error for quite some time due to a bad wordpress upgrade. No legit agency would want to spend money on my site looking when it looks as it does.
What came to my mind was a similar thing: there's probably malicious code in the "ad" they want to place, stealing clicks or user info, or infecting computers.
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- Gail_Curran 13 years ago
  
  If you receive an odd email like that, it's a good idea to take a line from the email and search it in Google (before you do anything else). If it shows up, you know for certain that it's a scam.
  
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RutledgeGroup

13 years ago

Thanks for posting. I had the same situation happen to me. From the same company I believe. It was on a site that I hadn't been doing much with, so I figured, might as well. They told me to upload their plugin, so I did. Then after that they didn't want to pay. I forgot all about it and never uninstalled it. I was just looking for that plugin and the only one I can find that don't look familiar is titled adv. Do you remember what they called the plugin? Is that the right one I need to uninstall?

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kaluuu

13 years ago

Originally Posted by RutledgeGroup

Here is the "SCAM PLUGIN" LINK http://webmaster.lego-agency.com/download?type=wp

Yes "adv" is called.

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kaluuu 13 years ago

Usually I do not fall into such traps, But Never Say Never.

Now i am fearful because i dont know what that script did or will do.
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nicheblogger75 13 years ago

Got the same email a while back. Replied back and was actually interested but they never got back to me. Thanks for letting me know about this scam. Who knows what could have happened.
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HeySal 13 years ago

Kaluuu - that link doesn't work. It asks for a login.
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- LilBlackDress 13 years ago
  
  Whenever you get an email from someone you don't know offering to advertise, buy your site etc. try googling a portion of the email. That will usually turn up many of the scams. If it does, you saved a lot of wasted time. If not, continue to do due diligence.
  
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- kaluuu 13 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by HeySal
  
  Kaluuu - that link doesn't work. It asks for a login.
  
  I uploaded it here: adv.zip - 4shared.com - online file sharing and storage - download
  
  Thanks
  
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aaaa33030 13 years ago

They might be trying to exploit your site to take it over or probably to load a virus on it
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- kaluuu 13 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by aaaa33030
  
  They might be trying to exploit your site to take it over or probably to load a virus on it
  
  even if i uninstalled the plugin? and deleted?
  
  Thanks
  
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  Damielle 13 years ago
  
  Probably some kind of spyware or virus. Thanks for sharing as obviously other warriors have been affected by this scam.
  
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  aaaa33030 13 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by kaluuu
  
  even if i uninstalled the plugin? and deleted?
  
  Their exploitation may have altered some of the files or added a new user to the database
  
  You can wait a while and see if everything is normal
  
  With mine I had to replace some of the php files and delete the sql user
  
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lawyer2warrior 13 years ago

Hey - thanks for the advice. I've been getting slightly different types of pitches. I went so far as to email with one outfit a time or two. But, thankfully, I got busy and never followed thru!!!

Take care,
Scott
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OO 13 years ago

Wow I think I've seen that thank goodness I didn't click on it.
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warriorjeterboy

13 years ago

Whoa!! same situation happen to me here, 13 days ago I received a message from this email sleclercq@mana-agency[.]com, same as above I was asked to install the plugin and here's the message I got after installing the plugin.

"Hi!

Unfortunately, the advertiser rejected your site. He has already gained the required number of advertising platforms for this season. Sorry for trouble you. You can remove plug-in. As soon as our client resumes an advertising campaign we will contact you. Thank you and hope to cooperate with you in the future!"

I don't know what that plugin can do but after installing the plugin they send me that message above..... This is a scam....

Anyone here could carefully check the adv plugin? I know how to code but not much expert. Thanks.

[ 1 ] Thanks

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adammaxum 13 years ago

thanks for the heads up!
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- Don Luis Banned 13 years ago
  
  Why would you install some unknown plugin or script on your site just because someone wants to buy ad space on your site? That's like giving a stranger the keys to your house. LOL
  
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Dann Vicker 13 years ago

There has been a flurry of such pranks lately.
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- samyindia 13 years ago
  
  Thank you for informing us about it mate! You should not download something from sources which are unknown to you. It could contain a virus or something else what can harm your website.
  It is sad that people do something like this to others
  
  Thanks
  
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UMS 13 years ago

I've had a quick look at the PHP code, and it's all appears to be completely fine, ie: no malware, or suspicious links.
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- BIG Mike Banned 13 years ago
  
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  Nevermetpress 13 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by BIG Mike
  
  Same here...however, it does access remote files (images presumably), so it could potentially be doing something more.
  
  Images hosted on remote sites could easily include malicious code. The point is... You are. Giving them permission to a) create a directory on your computer, and b) installed whatever files they want into the directory. The code itself looks harmless, but that file could be an executable file that can be accessed remotely (world readable) and executed on your host server.
  
  Not a good thing.
  
  The so called Lacoste advertising campaign emailed me as well, I got the exact same replies listed above. As soon as they asked me to install their own plugin ( Not from Wordpress.com repository) I was very suspicious, looked at their code and then realized that this was a total scam. I'm sure we'll he about something in the future regarding sites who unfortunately installed their ad campaign.
  
  Thanks
  
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- kaluuu 13 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by UMS
  
  I've had a quick look at the PHP code, and it's all appears to be completely fine, ie: no malware, or suspicious links.
  
  Thank You UMS for having a look.
  
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ErikNilsson 13 years ago

I heard that plugin will rip off a site database can alter/lock when it needs.
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- UMS 13 years ago
  
  Originally Posted by ErikNilsson
  
  I heard that plugin will rip off a site database can alter/lock when it needs.
  
  Not the plugin that was uploaded to
  
  adv.zip - 4shared.com - online file sharing and storage - download
  
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aeri 13 years ago

Thanks for the information about this I haven't received such email, but it is definitely useful for future reference in case something like this might show up in my inbox!
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onegoodman 13 years ago

Too many scammers, using ad services would avoid getting with such scammers simply because they need to pay to use and no communication directly with the website admin.
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- Daniel Evans 13 years ago
  
  Thanks for the heads up.
  
  I'm sure I got one of these a few months ago.
  
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Newbieee 13 years ago

there will forever be scammers and cheaters, they will always think of new ways to do it.

their methods evolve over time and over what people are aware.

so u are aware of "a" they do "b", then when "b" is expose they do "c" and so on.

u must be one up on them. if they offer u one up on what u dont know then u might be at risk.

but anything u dont understand , ASK , why is this plugin necessary, then google it.
and if u still feel uncomfortable and not logical to do certain things then dont..

that is the rule of the thumb.

hope it helps.
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mopreme 13 years ago

be careful about such
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Thierry Samuel 13 years ago

thanks for the info, stay careful..
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achukuttan 13 years ago

Hey, Really thanks for the alert. I heard the same days back from my friend...
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Fernando Veloso 13 years ago
Careful Webmaster 101:
- Never install anything others deliver in my sites.
- Never deal with "new" companies - unless they prove they are trusted.
- Don't believe in SantaClaus - even in Christmas.
We manage the advertising for a lot of our network sites and since 2004 we always develop the banners inhouse. There are exceptions (Young and Rubicam, Ogilvy & Mather, Sapo, SIC, etc) but 99% of the ads are created here. But install a plugin from a random company? That beats me, honestly. It's like giving your house keys to a random guy!!
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Regional Warrior 13 years ago

This type of scam has been around since 2007 , so unless you knows them don't Install anything or you will join the threads " help my site has been hacked"

Jason
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Jeremy Stephens 13 years ago

I read about this on another site. I suggest avoiding.
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Nags 13 years ago

Thanks for the share kaluuu
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Bassam1982 13 years ago

Its obvious that its computerized like any other email scam especially when you receive an instant reply.
real clients normally compare prices and reply later

thanks for the warning
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- nushi 13 years ago
  
  I knew it had to be too 'odd' to be remotely true. I received the same request and responded once. The response from Mr. Julien is the same as pasted above. I thought it very strange that an ad agency would want an ad on a site that barely has traffic. I am very glad I researched this!
  
  Thanks for posting this!
  
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Aha moment 13 years ago

thx man .. we don't like scam .. it wastes our money ...
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- jwee 13 years ago
  
  Thanks goodness I stumbled on this thread.
  
  Got the same offer from Nettero and the domain was just set up on 1 April 2012!
  
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  elf25 13 years ago
  
  We just got an offer from Nettero Agency also. I don't seem to be able to post the code from the plug-in.
  
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Troy_Phillips 13 years ago

First off. This is your site. Why would you let them dictate the process?

You simply tell them what locations you have available .. the minimum amount of time you will price.... the method of payment .. paid in full .. before placement. There is no need to use any plug ins. All you need is the banner image and the tracking url to attach to it.

Legitimate media placements are requested from a lot of marketers everyday .. most of them you have never heard from before. As long as you test the tracking code to assure it is redirecting o the point agreed upon .. get the money and provide the service.

If they have a problem with paying upfront .. explain to them you take pay pal and they have the ability to get their money back if you do not follow through but you have limited means to collect if you put their banner up and you don't get paid for a couple of days. If they have a problem with standard operating procedure .. skip them and go to the next one.
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Tadresources 13 years ago

Thanks for posting! It's almost scary how these guys keep getting better and better. Did you ever find out what the script would have done?
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aaronblevins 13 years ago

Definitely something fishy with that. Let us know what you find out.
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Advertising SCAM.....IMPORTANT!!!

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