How does digital media ad fraud make money? An ongoing, highly profitable example
Ad Fraud Monetization with all the greasy trappings:
- a web site designed to look like semi-legitimate free media streaming product -- for instance, Playster -- or these "free" HD movie players
- free trials requiring credit cards for verification (as always, buyer beware)
- small print allowing unauthorized charges to free trial accounts
- reliance on traffic-masking middle domains (ads.ad-center.com -- not a real business) with elaborate landing pages designed to generate bogus traffic
- full-time staff dedicated to generating high Alexa scores
- links to phony pirate sites (oh, the irony), also with fake movie players
- franchise operations to enlist wannabe scammers -- the grease part
- shell companies to funnel funds offshore
- all easily taken down and set up again elsewhere
Still a long way to go, #IAB