Scam Alert: The "Bloomberg" Impersonation Scheme -

This report details a sophisticated scam that impersonates a well-known financial news organization, Bloomberg, to trick individuals into placing fraudulent advertisements. The scam involves fake emails, a fabricated website, and a promise of significant payment that is never fulfilled.

1. Initial Contact and Deception

The scam begins with an unsolicited email from an individual claiming to be interested in guest posting opportunities on your website.

Sender Name: Lucas Nethon (or a similar generic name)

Initial Email Content:

Hello there,

I hope this message finds you well.

I recently visited your website and noticed that you offer guest post opportunities.

I am interested in submitting my articles for publication on your website.
Could you please provide me with information on the submission process?
I would also like to know the cost of publishing one article.

I look forward to hearing back from you.

Thank you for your time

Best regards.

This initial contact is designed to be non-suspicious, establishing a seemingly legitimate business inquiry.

2. The “Business Proposal” – The Core of the Scam

Following your response to the initial inquiry, the scammer sends a more detailed proposal, impersonating a representative from Bloomberg.

Key Elements of the Deceptive Proposal:

Impersonated Entity: “BRAD STONE from BLOOMBERG (Bloomberg.com)”
Fabricated Website: “bloombergsources.com” (Note: This is a crucial detail – it’s a fake domain, likely registered to mimic the real Bloomberg.com)
Alleged Purpose: To share business ideas on a new website.
The Offer: Banner placement on your website.
Stated Terms:
- Banner Placement Duration: 4 months
- Payment: $2100 for the 4-month period
- Payment Timeline: Within 7 working days
- Removal Clause: You would remove the ad if they requested it.

Example Email Content (as provided):

Business Proposal for Banner Advertising

I'm talking to BRAD STONE from BLOOMBERG (Bloomberg.com)

We're launching a new website (bloombergsources.com) where we'll share business ideas. We'd like to add a banner to your website. If you're interested, you can contact us via this Gmail or my professional email (bradstone@bloombergsources.com)
You can also visit our new website (bloombergsources.com)

Terms of the Proposal

Banner Placement
Our banner will be live on your website for 4 months

Payment
We'll pay you $2100 for the 4-month period

Payment Terms
Payment will be made within 7 working days

Removal
If we need to remove the ad, you'll remove it.

Next Steps
If you're interested, please get in touch with us via email to discuss further

Thanks

3. The “Execution” and Request for Details

If you agree to the terms, the scammer proceeds to the next stage, providing specific instructions for placing their fake advertisement.

Key Information Provided:

Link Anchor: “Bloomberg Sources”
Paragraph for Sidebar: A block of text about “Bloomberg Sources” and a contact email address (michael@bloombergsources.com).
Website Link: Bloombergsources.com
Payment Details: PayPal ID (michael@bloombergsources.com), Registered Address (3 Queen Victoria Street, London EC4N 4TQ UK), VAT Number.

Example Email Content (as provided):

Hi,

I have sent you the link anchor and paragraph, You have to add the paragraph to the sidebar of your website

Link
Bloombergsources.com
Anchor
Bloomberg Sources

You can choose any of the paragraphs and add them to the sidebar of your website.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Global customers rely Bloomberg Sources to deliver accurate, real-time business and market-moving information that helps them make critical financial decisions please contact: michael@bloombergsources.com
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Global customers rely Bloomberg Sources to deliver accurate, real-time business and market-moving information that helps them make critical financial decisions please contact
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Please add our company details and mention that this ad will be for four months.

PayPal ID: michael@bloombergsources.com
Registered Address: 3 Queen Victoria Street, London EC4N 4TQ UK
Vat Number: 718787092

I'm Waiting
Thanks

4. The Aftermath: No Payment, No Response

After you have followed their instructions and implemented the fake advertisement on your website, the scammer disappears. They stop responding to your communications, leaving you with the advertisement live and no payment received.

Your Experience:

You placed the link and content as instructed.
You informed the scammer that the advertisement was live.
You have been waiting for over 7 days with no response from the scammer.

How to Identify and Avoid This Scam:

Verify the Source: Always be skeptical of unsolicited offers, especially those involving large sums of money. Conduct thorough due diligence on the company and the individual contacting you.
- Check the Domain: Scammers often use domain names that are very similar to legitimate ones (e.g., bloombergsources.com instead of bloomberg.com). Check the actual domain carefully.
- Official Contact Channels: Real companies like Bloomberg will typically use their official email domains (@bloomberg.com) and will not solely rely on Gmail for business proposals.
- Look for Official Websites: Visit the official Bloomberg website (Bloomberg.com) and search for their advertising or partnership information. You will likely not find any mention of bloombergsources.com or a “Brad Stone” in this capacity.
Be Wary of Large Upfront Payments: While legitimate advertisers may pay upfront, be cautious of offers that seem too good to be true or involve unusual payment methods (like requesting you to pay a portion for “verification”).
Research the Address and VAT Number: While scammers can fake these, a quick search might reveal inconsistencies or indicate the address is associated with many other businesses, which can be a red flag.
Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off, it probably is. It’s better to miss out on a potential deal than to fall victim to a scam.

Actionable Advice:

Remove the Advertisement: Immediately remove the link and any content related to bloombergsources.com from your website to prevent further association with fraudulent activity.
Report the Scammer: If possible, report the email addresses and fake website to your email provider and relevant authorities (e.g., law enforcement, cybersecurity agencies).
Educate Others: Share your experience to help prevent others from falling victim to similar scams.
Space Coast Daily Uk