Christian Internet Marketing: Selling Greed Using Jesus
I came across this banner for bethsmoney.com (will not reward the site with a hyperlink) that claims a Christian mom earns $5,000 working at home. When a person uses religion to sell an Internet biz opp, the warning bells start to go off.
The website doesn’t pass the smell test, starting with what appears to be stock photo of “Beth” and an elderly lady. Here’s a disclaimer in white text on a gray background at the bottom of the sales page:
“This page and associated pages on this site are an advertisement. All persons mentioned on this blog are fictional examples of people who used the promoted products and is for demonstration purposes only. The statements contained herein come from many different people and are not necessarily being made about the specific products discussed.”
Fictional people and the statements might not even be about the specific products discussed in the sales page. Incredible.
The site is pitching googleprofitsinsider.com, which according to the fine print in white text in a gray background at the bottom of the page includes:
“The initial shipping and handling charge of $1.98 S&H which includes fourteen (14) days worth of access to the online directories and training. After 14 days, you will be charged MONTHLY of $47.50″
The screen capture of a Google check is in the amount of $868.55, which the fictional Beth Fisher claims is for one week of work. No evidence of $5K per month earnings from Google. And, let’s assume the check is an AdSense commission. Want to bet the expenses incurred ate up a nice chunk of “Beth’s” commission. Of course, because Beth doesn’t exist, the payee name on the check has been whited out.
Who owns the domains involved? That’s a good question. The “Christian” owner has them registered by proxy so the WHOIS doesn’t reveal identity.
It gets better. This link shows that bethsmoney.com was being used to pike government grants less than six months ago. The photos show a U.S. Treasury Check (tax refund?) and a check that Beth is claiming is a government grant check that just happens to be the same as a Google check with the payor’s name blurred out.
If you want to apply religious and moral principles to your business, by all means do so.
However, the deceptive and fraudulent tactics engaged in by people who own websites like bethsmoney.com are clearly unacceptable. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) should make an example of them.
About the Author
With an advanced international law degree from Georgetown University and more than 15 years of real world legal experience, Attorney Mike Young is President of the Internet Ethics Council and creator of Website Legal Forms Generator software. He helps entrepreneurs protect and grow their businesses online.
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Thanks for warning people about these fraudulent websites.
Business is down and money it tight right now. So when I stumbled upon the “Christian Mom” link on a news sight and read the testimonials, I got excited. I reached for my debit card, then read the fine print. Then I got angry.
I’ll pay no one (willingly) that uses my Christian faith to create a fake blog, fake “testimonies” and fake rah-rah “God bless you” ****!
BTW I love the part about “due to overwhelming press and exposure this page has been getting on some VERY big Christian websites, I had to remove the comment form”. There never was a comment form. It’s all fake!
Whew … glad I stopped to read the fine print! I should know better than to be as much of a sucker as I was!
Hi Mike.
Someone on my blog referenced this page. I too have looked at this scam and your comment about the government grants has some relevance as I stumbled across one of the main image resources that the website ‘programs’ use. There are several ‘grants’ websites and numerous other past, present (and future?, perhaps) ‘money-making opportunities’ all tucked away.
The main list I described here, http://strangelyperfect.tv/3126/drill-down-through-bsadnpanthersslcom/
When I checked today, the folder list is still wide open. While not containing anything super-private (at least on my perusal), it does show that these scam systems are related and that the depth and breadth of the various schemes is breathtaking.
There are quite a few disgruntled folk who made comments on that and the related posts.
It is sad the depths people will go to take advantage of people. People (consumers) need to do their research and not believe everything they read, ESPECIALLY when it comes to making money online. And talk about “bad karma”; using Jesus to rip people off. Don’t stand too close to me in a lightning storm, sister!
As I finish my rant; where is truth in advertising when you can post fake people with fake testimonials as long as you use a disclaimer?
It is refreshing to see posts that are unique and those that want to learn more about internet marketing can benefit. Excellent!
Unfortunately, there is a lot of fake and/or illegal websites and ads on the internet. Thanks for pointing this one out!
tell you what i known. god say those that preach the gospel should live by it. now whom am I tro instruct God.
Perhaps because I have been an active internet marketeer for several years now, this type of marketing no longer surprises me. But it does disgust and angers me as a Christian and business man. However as a Christian business man I can’t judge the people who run this site; but I have a duty to speak out against the marketing technique practiced by this site.
In my opinion it’s just plain wrong.
Ken
Thanks, Ken. We agree. Misusing Christianity (or any religion for that matter) for deceptive online marketing is just wrong.
Best wishes,
-Mike