An odd but interesting idea about taking legal action against a scam site
By sn_2818184
@sn_2818184 (328)
Hong Kong
July 28, 2010 1:15pm CST
Usually, when we are cheated by the site, we will get angry but we can do nothing more. You know, who will be taking legal action for a few dollar? You probably lose even more when you take legal action.
But then, it reminds me some interesting scam sites claiming that you can make $1000 per click. This is of course a clear scam and only those very new beginners will step into the trap. Yet, with only 10 clicks, it means $10000 - maybe worth some legal action?
Of course, I am living in Hong Kong and it will still be impossible for me to take legal action to a company oversea. Yet, for those who are living in US, what do you think? Will you be interested to step in some trap purposely and earn some extra cash by taking legal action to those scam sites?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@bloggeroo (2167)
• Philippines
28 Jul 10
There are serious legal difficulties to hurdle.
Let us just assume that it will be a civil action. So, at best, you are just after recovery of money. But then, there is this TOS that mostly favors the operators of the site. It is the contract that binds both parties. And technically, the contract has not yet been violated because the promised obligation is still somewhere in the future.
Trying to allege fraud is going to turn a simple (albeit difficult civil case) into a criminal action which requires stricter interpretation of the law. Intent to defraud is going to be difficult to prove.
Anyway, unless there is some kind of special law regulating online activities that covers all possible tricks an person may commit online, judges will find it difficult to apply existing criminal and civil laws against scammers.
Under ideal conditions, class action suits can prosper. The key is finding a lawyer who believes that such conditions already exist.
1 person likes this
@seokkyu125 (244)
• United States
28 Jul 10
Most of the scam sites hides their whois. So if you can even find the site owner just by their IP address, good luck :)
I personally don't support this too much as not only money is wasted, but time is wasted as well.
@katiesueg (257)
• Italy
28 Jul 10
The problem with that is a lot of these sites just simply disappear. One day they are there and the next day they are not. I don't think many lawyers would advise such an action. Unless the lawyer is out to scam you, too.
