# This is a scam, right? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 24, 2009, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-a-scam-right/504120 "2009-07-24T14:03:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2009, 2:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-a-scam-right/504120/1 "2009-07-24T14:03:37Z")
I cannot find the link, but my sister called all excited because of something she read on Craigslist. I think it’s a scam, from what little she described, but she wants to believe… Basically, you buy some acai-berry weight-loss supplement for only $5, and provide pictures of your self (losing weight, presumably) for six weeks, and they will pay you $1500!!! You can cancel within 14 days… I see scam written all over this. She says she will email the woman to see if anyone has actually earned the $1500…I told her, why would they tell you the truth when they are trying to get your credit-card number? She says she will ask for the emails of other people who have earned the money…I said, How will you know these are real emails and real people? I told her, once they get hold of your card number, they will keep charging you, and the shipping costs will be outrageous, and it will be hard to cancel…she still wants to believe. Do you think it’s a scam? How can I convince her? ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2009, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-a-scam-right/504120/2 "2009-07-24T14:13:50Z")
Wow. That has set off every scam detector I have, plus a whole range I didn’t even know existed. For starters, if you only pay $5, then get $1500 back, either (A) the product doesn’t work, or (B) they’re losing money hand over fist. ---
**Author:** ![VanillaGorilla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/f9ae1b/32.png) [@VanillaGorilla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VanillaGorilla)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2009, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-a-scam-right/504120/3 "2009-07-24T14:15:03Z")
Well… of course it is a scam. Why would any company offer 1500$ for some pictures? Sure, the pics could be used for advertising, but why would they pay some person they have never even seen that much money, when loads of people would probably be quite willing to send their pictures for free if only they got this miracle pill free. Any serious company would hire a proffesional advertising company, not just send out thousands of dollars to just anybody. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2009, 2:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-a-scam-right/504120/4 "2009-07-24T14:15:26Z")
[http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/01/08/bbb-warms-of-acai-berry-weight-loss-scam/](http://www.walletpop.com/blog/2009/01/08/bbb-warms-of-acai-berry-weight-loss-scam/) ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2009, 2:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-a-scam-right/504120/5 "2009-07-24T14:17:03Z")
> **[Buy Instagram Followers - 100% Real, Instant & Secure | $0.89](https://www.mixx.com/buy-instagram-followers)** > > We are the Leading Platform for Buying Instagram Followers. Cheap Prices. Highest Quality. Same-Day Delivery. 100% Secure. ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2009, 2:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-a-scam-right/504120/6 "2009-07-24T14:18:36Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > Wow. That has set off every scam detector I have, plus a whole range I didn’t even know existed. For starters, if you only pay $5, then get $1500 back, either (A) the product doesn’t work, or (B) they’re losing money hand over fist. (C) Somebody is looking to get pictures for sexual reasons. ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2009, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-a-scam-right/504120/7 "2009-07-24T14:34:23Z")
If you feel the need to ask, the answer is always yes. ---
**Author:** ![Ferret\_Herder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e47774/32.png) [@Ferret\_Herder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ferret_Herder)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2009, 2:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-a-scam-right/504120/8 "2009-07-24T14:47:47Z")
> [@John\_DiFool](#): > > If you feel the need to ask, the answer is always yes. True, but the problem here is that her sister **doesn’t** feel the need, and won’t take the OP’s warnings. ---
**Author:** ![BrandonR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2009, 2:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-a-scam-right/504120/9 "2009-07-24T14:57:30Z")
Let her fall for it. Some people just don’t want to be helped and letting them prove themselves wrong is sometimes the only way. The whole thing reeks of scammatry anyway. If they were legitimately looking for people to use it and lose weight, they wouldn’t charge you for the initial pills. Second, they wouldn’t pay $1500 for pictures they could just Photoshop in the first place. Beyond that, acai berries helping weight loss is bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlett67](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/scarlett67/32/7387_2.png) [@Scarlett67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlett67)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2009, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-a-scam-right/504120/10 "2009-07-24T15:37:45Z")
> [@kittenblue](#): > > Basically, you buy some acai-berry weight-loss supplement Stop right there. It’s already a scam. ---
**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2009, 3:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-a-scam-right/504120/11 "2009-07-24T15:46:48Z")
> [@Scarlett67](#): > > Stop right there. It’s [acai-berry supplement] already a scam. Right on. The only weight you will lose for sure is the weight of the 5-spot in your wallet. ETA: But wait, there’s more! According to one link, for your $5, you agree to pay for a “$79.96 plus $5.95 shipping” package every month forever unless you cancel. And since they claim it takes 3 months before you see any improvement, that’s…lessee, carry the four, add the 6…which makes a whole shitload of profit they’ll get from you. What an opportunity! ---
**Author:** ![Harmonious\_Discord](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/74df32/32.png) [@Harmonious\_Discord](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harmonious_Discord)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2009, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-a-scam-right/504120/12 "2009-07-24T17:04:02Z")
I bet she gets a check for $5,000 and they ask her to send the extra $3,500 back to them by personal check. ---
**Author:** ![iamthewalrus\_3](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/258eb7/32.png) [@iamthewalrus\_3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iamthewalrus_3)\ **Post date:** [July 24, 2009, 6:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-a-scam-right/504120/13 "2009-07-24T18:51:24Z")
You should write “I told you so” on a piece of paper, seal it in an envelope, and tell her to open it after she’s gone through with the whole thing. She won’t learn, but it’ll be fun. ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2009, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-a-scam-right/504120/14 "2009-07-25T01:45:50Z")
> [@Musicat](#): > > ETA: But wait, there’s more! According to one link, for your $5, you agree to pay for a “$79.96 plus $5.95 shipping” package every month forever unless you cancel. And since they claim it takes 3 months before you see any improvement, that’s…lessee, carry the four, add the 6…which makes a whole shitload of profit they’ll get from you. > > What an opportunity! Oh! You found a link? Could you post it…I couldn’t find one. ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2009, 1:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-a-scam-right/504120/15 "2009-07-25T01:52:55Z")
> [@BrandonR](#): > > Let her fall for it. Some people just don’t want to be helped and letting them prove themselves wrong is sometimes the only way. The whole thing reeks of scammatry anyway. If they were legitimately looking for people to use it and lose weight, they wouldn’t charge you for the initial pills. Second, they wouldn’t pay $1500 for pictures they could just Photoshop in the first place. Beyond that, acai berries helping weight loss is bullshit. The thing is, she can’t really afford to lose any money over this. they are trying very hard to pull themselves out of debt…she sees Make $1500!! and thinks Salvation! This is why they are paying $100 a month on some vacation service that they have never used because they can book a flight cheaper just about everywhere else. They’ve been involved in Melaleuca for years…have yet to buy that mansion. Her husband went out to buy vacuum cleaner bags one day and got conned into a new vacuum and steam cleaner to the tune of $1000. A few weeks ago, he went to the bike shop to buy bike shorts…salesman talked him in to spending over $2000 on a new bike, helmet, shoes, shorts, etc. She’s cut her spending to the bone. He won’t. And now her daughter really, really wants to try this…instead of, like, working the extra hours she gets offered at work (she’s only part time, it’s not like it’s overtime). Sigh. ---
**Author:** ![Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eyebrows_0f_doom/32/3119_2.png) [@Eyebrows\_0f\_Doom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eyebrows_0f_Doom)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2009, 2:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-a-scam-right/504120/16 "2009-07-25T02:04:36Z")
> [@kittenblue](#): > > Basically, you buy That’s enough right there for me to think it’s a scam. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2009, 2:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-a-scam-right/504120/17 "2009-07-25T02:25:20Z")
> [@kittenblue](#): > > She’s cut her spending to the bone. He won’t. Seems to me there’s more going on than just being cash-strapped. They’re not on the same page, financially, and internet scams are not the way to wealth. ---
**Author:** ![BrandonR](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@BrandonR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BrandonR)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2009, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-a-scam-right/504120/18 "2009-07-25T04:19:47Z")
> [@kittenblue](#): > > This is why they are paying $100 a month on some vacation service that they have never used because they can book a flight cheaper just about everywhere else. They’ve been involved in Melaleuca for years…have yet to buy that mansion. Her husband went out to buy vacuum cleaner bags one day and got conned into a new vacuum and steam cleaner to the tune of $1000. A few weeks ago, he went to the bike shop to buy bike shorts…salesman talked him in to spending over $2000 on a new bike, helmet, shoes, shorts, etc. I think I now know partly why the economy is in the toilet… Where are peoples’ basic money management skills?! ---
**Author:** ![kittenblue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ba8739/32.png) [@kittenblue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kittenblue)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2009, 5:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-a-scam-right/504120/19 "2009-07-25T05:20:37Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > Seems to me there’s more going on than just being cash-strapped. They’re not on the same page, financially, and internet scams are not the way to wealth. Oh, heck, you don’t even know the half of it…but that is for another thread. ---
**Author:** ![Bacon\_Salt](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/65b543/32.png) [@Bacon\_Salt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bacon_Salt)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2009, 11:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-a-scam-right/504120/20 "2009-07-25T23:32:17Z")
No advice, but I feel for ya, **kittenblue**. I too know what it’s like to watch a family member allow their wallet to get sucked dry through bullshit money schemes time after time. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/this-is-a-scam-right/504120.md?page=2)