From the murky depths of the internet, where die-hard Donald Trump supporters gather, a new scam has emerged, taking advantage of disappointment over the last presidential election. Cyber scammers are selling “Trump Bucks,” adorned with images of the former president, and promoting them online as a golden opportunity to advance Trump’s 2024 candidacy, while promising substantial profits to the “real patriots” who support him. However, those Trump Bucks turned out to be just worthless pieces of paper, leaving unsuspecting buyers feeling duped.
STERLING, VIRGINIA – MAY 26: Former United States President Donald Trump looks on from a box on the 18th green during day one of the LIV Golf Invitational – DC at Trump National Golf Club on May 26, 2023 in Sterling, Virginia. Rob Carr/Getty Images/AFP (Photo by Rob Carr / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP)(Getty Images via AFP) {{^userSubscribed}} {{/userSubscribed}} {{^userSubscribed}} {{/ userSubscribed}}
One victim, John Amann, shared his experience with NBC News. He revealed that he spent $2,200 on Trump Bucks and other similar items last year, only to find they had no value when he tried to cash them at his local bank. Amann took to Twitter to warn other Trump supporters not to fall for this scam and expressed doubts as to whether Trump himself knew about it.
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The Federal Trade Commission has confirmed receipt of a fraud complaint against Patriots Dynasty, one of the companies involved in the fraud. However, no specific information about the complaint or the person who filed it was disclosed.
The scam works by selling pro-Trump commodities such as coins, checks and cards marketed as novelty items. While the fine print on the websites selling these items says they are memorabilia, social media and promotional videos use tactics to deceive an audience convinced of a grand conspiracy related to Trump’s impeachment. The scammers behind Patriots Dynasty, Patriots Future, and USA Patriots believe buyers will be rewarded if Trump introduces a new currency system that turns those products into legal tender worth much more than their purchase price.
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To bolster their legitimacy, numerous fake reviews appear on various websites with headlines like “scam or legit” flooding search engine results with positive results. Additionally, hundreds of YouTube videos promote the scam, often with AI-generated content containing fake celebrity endorsements. These fake videos suggest figures like Trump and Elon Musk are supporting the plan, using manipulated footage and false statements.
The truth behind these deceptive advertisements is that they repurpose disjointed footage to create a false advertisement. For example, a video clip of Elon Musk speaking at a TED event in 2022 is manipulated to give the impression that he endorses the Trump certificates.
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The Trump Bucks scam follows in the footsteps of similar schemes in the past, such as the fraudulent marketing of “Trump coins” as an alternative currency. A 2022 New York Times investigation found that a Romanian marketing firm was behind the Trump coin craze. Unfortunately, scammers continue to prey on the zeal and loyalty of Trump supporters, targeting their hopes for financial gain and restoring their beloved leader to power.
As the internet continues to be a breeding ground for scams and fraudulent activity, caution and skepticism is key. Beware of tempting promises and do thorough research before making any financial transactions or investments. Remember, if an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Stay alert, stay informed, and protect yourself from becoming a victim of these online predators.
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