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Shady 'Team' trying to scam Kickstarters

Posted: Thu Jul 31, 2014 2:00 pm
by Angela.Benedict
I wanted to give everyone a heads up about a potential issue. Literally 24 hours into starting my kickstarter I was contacted by a man named 'Jonathan Bridges' (see here: https://www.kickstarter.com/profile/392093638 stating that he saw potential in my project and to send him my contact details (e-mail + phone number) to discuss it with him and his 'team'. There's a 6 message exchange of my trying to ascertain exactly who he is, what company he represents and the gist of what he's proposing. The only response I get is basically a reiteration of his initial message asking for contact details.

I did an image search for his avatar and he's using a photo of Michael Chernow from 'The Meatball Shop' in NYC. I don't know what this guy is playing at exactly but it reeks of shady.

Re: Shady 'Team' trying to scam Kickstarters

Posted: Fri Aug 01, 2014 6:12 am
by Shuzza
yep! Shady - but looks familiar, I think he is a follower on twitter (I've never watched Michael Chernow). Just joined KS, but nothing backed. I have received several requests to help me with SEO of my pages, etc, but they don't even have a website. if you are good, quit hiding your self.

Re: Shady 'Team' trying to scam Kickstarters

Posted: Mon Aug 04, 2014 4:33 pm
by sbriggman
Interesting. So much shady stuff going on now a days. Kickstarter needs to find a way to weed out these types of people.

Re: Shady 'Team' trying to scam Kickstarters

Posted: Tue Aug 05, 2014 6:47 pm
by Matt76305
I got several emails within a few hours of people wanting to help get the word out for money.. can't avoid scammers anywhere.

Re: Shady 'Team' trying to scam Kickstarters

Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 1:40 pm
by Bojankacarski
i also got message from a guy that pretended to be a blogger and wanted to write for my project didn't came in my mind this could be a lie and typed my email nothing more

Re: Shady 'Team' trying to scam Kickstarters

Posted: Tue Aug 19, 2014 6:15 pm
by mboix
I wonder if they have some kind of button to report suspicious users...

Re: Shady 'Team' trying to scam Kickstarters

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 7:29 am
by BexcellentGames
I just got contacted by this same guy (I just launched my Kickstarter for a video game), I've all ready given my email, but haven't heard from him. Good thing I found this thread!

Why do scammers have to get your hopes up and spoil the all the fun.

Re: Shady 'Team' trying to scam Kickstarters

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 2:39 pm
by coolinvent
I've been contacted by several of these companies. Today I was contacted by http://boostyourcampaign.us/ and the only information I can find on these guys is that they are owned by http://www.naxxoo.com/. Can't find out who they really are as they don't even have an "about us" page. Read the wording carefully on what they have "supported" campaigns, not helped them reach their goal.

This is looking like it's going to be a big business and the "buyer beware".

Re: Shady 'Team' trying to scam Kickstarters

Posted: Fri Aug 22, 2014 11:54 pm
by Scylla
Thanks for letting us know! I got something similar as well on my campaign messages.

Re: Shady 'Team' trying to scam Kickstarters

Posted: Sat Aug 23, 2014 12:10 am
by coolinvent
Seems to be a thriving business now. Just have to keep checking them out.