Russian download scam sites
p2p news / p2pnet: Belgian online mag Side-Line says it’s been “inundated” by e-mails from readers from USA, UK, Belgium, France, Holland, among other countries, saying the writers became the victims of credit card fraud after they bought “illegal download albums” under “MP3-1dollardeals”.
The sites, mostly in Russia, “are acting online as being from the UK, USA, Germany etc under over 40 domainnames (including the popular MP3sugar, Audio Store, …),” says Side-Line, going on:
“They have now started picking victims amongst their clients (believed to be several millions) at random to use their cards for other means. Several of these download sites are also using so-called official credit card verification companies which are in fact bogus companies.
“As the Russian authorities are not active in fighting piracy it is to be believed that these sites will continue exercising their business. Through MP3 websites such as MP3sugar and Audio Store the Albanian and Russian mob have found another quick mean to get rich apart from selling drugs and prosituting youngsters. However, the biggest worry for most of the ‘victims’ will be the news that it appears to be that several credit card companies have refused refunding the frauded cards after it turned out that the credit card users had been buying illegal MP3’s online from these companies.
“Rumour has it that a blacklist is circulating among the CC companies holding domainnames from illegal sites where customers will not be covered in case of fraud. The sums taken from the cards go from just a ‘lousy’ 1000 US$ to over 3000 US$. So far the ‘MP3-1dollardeals’.
“If you have been purchasing illegal downloads, be sure blocking your card right now, your credit card company will most probably NOT cover the costs after fraud as the news about the abuse is spreading quickly. Side-Line contacted several credit card companies on the issue but none were willing to comment officially on this case. One contactperson added off the record that they were ‘currently looking into it but that customers should not expect to see a refund as stealing is never refunded’.”
Meanwhile, a Russian site has been offering stolen eBay and PayPal customer account information for between $5 and $25 per item.
(Thanks, J-P)
Also See:
Side-Line – Massive credit card fraud via various illegal MP3 download sites, March 28, 2006
$5 and $25 – eBay customer info for sale, March 28, 2006
March 28th, 2006 at 8:13 pm
Hummmmmm. another tool the entertainment industry will use to scare people into accepting their will
Rick
March 28th, 2006 at 8:51 pm
This needs a court case BAD. How were these fraud victims to know the music they PURCHASED were “illegal downloads”? Do the sites state that the goods they sell are illegal? If a person buys something in good faith from ANYWHERE and it turns out the goods were stolen IT DOES NOT ABSOLVE THE CC COMPANYS OF THEIR STATED OBLIGATIONS TO THEIR CUSTOMERS, PARTICULARLY IF THE CUSTOMER IS IN TURN THE VICTIM OF CREDIT CARD FRAUD BY THE SELLER. This is just another slimy way for the CC companys to slither out from under covering bad charges.
A$$HOLES.
March 28th, 2006 at 9:41 pm
If the CC companies took in a share of these sales through merchant accounts then THEY ARE responsible for bearing the cost of money lost to cardholders. It was up to them to police the merchant accounts selling MP3s if this was against their policy.
Class action lawsuit !
March 29th, 2006 at 1:06 am
I’m pretty sure a lot of these customers aren’t aware that they’re “stealing.” How the hell are we supposed to know legit mp3 sites from fraudulent ones?
Love the PR spin…
March 29th, 2006 at 3:38 am
“” How the hell are we supposed to know legit mp3 sites from fraudulent ones? “” Simple ??? Do they sell any of The Beatles music????
March 29th, 2006 at 2:36 pm
Why would all these so called victims e-mail to this obscure Belgian website?
Looks like a fraud to me. Or could this be an April fool thing?
March 29th, 2006 at 5:26 pm
YOU may know that, and I may know that, but it’s a BIG stretch to expect that anyone and everyone who’s shopping the web for music would know that.
April 3rd, 2006 at 6:58 am
And don’t have any problem with my credit card. Very good site!
October 4th, 2006 at 4:19 pm
I have just been scammed as a person new to the music downloads I had no clue about what was ‘dodgy looking’ as it goes I am now £30.00 out of pocket and a frightened my card may be used again -
October 4th, 2006 at 4:24 pm
AS STUPID AS IT SOUNDS I AM IN A LIBRARY AND DO NOT KNOW HOW TO LOG ON AS MYSELF MY NAME IS TRACY MCDONALD AND I DO NOT WISH TO BE ANONYMOUS AND AM CERTAINLY NOT A COWARD I HAVE JUST POSTED A COMMENT REGARDING THE RUSSIAN DOWNLOAD SCAM I WAS HAD FOR £30!
February 4th, 2007 at 6:24 pm
http://www.allofmp1.com/
It’s very easy to use our site – whithout your registration just choose a song or album you like, pay me through e-gold and download it! No directing links, everything is simple and convenient! Enjoy our smaller music collection!
October 12th, 2007 at 8:11 pm
I know the top is about Russian download scam sites, but was wondering.