I usually just delete such messages (which have subject lines completely unrelated to the scam) from the server. But today, I saw one that was intriguing, not because of the investment opportunity, but rather for its frankness. The subject line read, "We can grow any stock up to 300%." And, towards the end of the email about some obscure biotech company with the latest in something or other medical, this clear disclaimer:
You can lose all your money by investing in this stock. In compliance with the Securities act of 1933, Section 17(b), the publisher of this newsletter discloses they received payment from an unaffiliated third party for the circulation of this report in the amount of twenty thousand dollars. Be aware of an inherent conflict of interest resulting from such compensation due to the fact that this is a paid advertisement and is not without bias. As we have received compensation in the form of free trading securities, we may directly benefit from any increase in the price of these securities. (emphasis added)That about says it all, doesn't it? At least they're honest about their unethicality.
[Technorati tags: stock spam | stock scam | pump and dump | honesty | ethics]
1 comment:
Thanks, Joey. I do interviews for all the major networks and newspapers (and a bunch of minor ones, too). U of T Public Affairs has me on their list of so-called experts - I typically get the call when reporters ask for someone who can give a perspective that is somewhat different ("deeper," apparently) than the common or popular immediate reaction.
What's interesting about these things is that the soundbite - typically 30 seconds or so - is extracted from a conversation that, on average, runs about 15 minutes. My only hope is that what makes it to air casts me as more or less intelligent - you can do an awful lot in an editing suite, as Stephen Colbert knows only too well!
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