Recently, a new SEO scam has come to light that we need to be aware of. This scam involves nonexistent law firms using DMCA notices to threaten website operators. In this article, I will share the details and my thoughts on the matter.
Discovery of the New Scam
The incident began when Ernie Smith, the administrator of the news site Tedium, received a “copyright infringement notice.” This notice was sent from a law firm called Commonwealth Legal, stating, “We are contacting you on behalf of a notable corporation’s intellectual property department regarding images related to our client.”
The Truth Behind the Nonexistent Law Firm
Upon investigating the Commonwealth Legal website, Smith discovered that the lawyer profile images were AI-generated fake faces. Furthermore, a search for the lawyers’ names revealed they did not exist, and the provided address and phone number were also fake.
The SEO Scam Method
The purpose of this scam was to create backlinks to a site called “Tech4Gods.com,” thereby improving its ranking in Google’s search results. The method of implying legal action through DMCA notices to demand links from website operators is a sinister tactic disguised as a legal threat.
Victim Testimony
Daniel Barchak, the operator of Tech4Gods.com, admitted to purchasing backlinks for SEO purposes but denied any involvement with the scam emails. According to him, spammy links have recently been added to his site, and he has been busy dealing with them.
Lessons from the Scam
This incident highlights the increasing sophistication of SEO scams. Website operators and we must be vigilant against scams disguised as legal threats. Especially when receiving DMCA notices, it is crucial to carefully investigate the source and content to verify their authenticity.
Conclusion
The revelation of this scam symbolizes the growing complexity of legal issues in the digital age. We must always stay informed with the latest information and take appropriate measures to protect our clients’ rights.
The above report outlines the new SEO scam by nonexistent law firms and my thoughts on the matter. Readers should also respond cautiously if they encounter similar scams.
