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Comment by ramses0 | Hacker News Reader

I want $1M free dollars. I send 1000 packets of seeds with tracking numbers to 1000 random addresses, and then write 1000 fake 5-star "verified purchase" reviews. Total outlay? 1000 x $0.55 postage = $550.00.

I then take my 1000's of five-star review page, and start selling diamond earrings for $199.95. I collect $200k in cash from 1000 sellers who get duped, and never ship anything to anybody ever again.

Repeat x5 and you have $1M free dollars.

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Why would you send seeds instead of sending 1000 empty envelopes?

Maybe because you outsource fulfillment to a legitimate company, and they will find it strange to send empty envelopes?

So instead you give them seeds to ship which probably cost less than the envelope itself.

I wonder if package weight is available in the tracking information that Amazon or other seller service can access?

Gotta match the weight of the package to the product weight.

That’s what I don’t get. Maybe if a customer received an empty envelope they would think something is up and report it? By sending a token item the receiver thinks it is a gift? But why not a postcard then which is easier to include?

Part of me wants to think this is an elaborate prank to see what happens when hundreds of people plant mutant seeds.

Wouldn't the cost be more than your hypothetical $550? Since they are buying their own items on Amazon, isn't Amazon still taking a cut from it?

I think this is part of the problem. Amazon still earns money off these fakes. This almost seems similar to the business just buying ads, except I bet this is a cheaper version of ads and is more effective

Uhm wouldn't the 5 star reviews be for seeds? Or is it trivial to change a listing for seeds to diamond earrings?

It's trivial to change the listing on Amazon. I've seen tons of Ship of Theseus listings like this where I'm looking at a reusable bag or a pair of headphones but the reviews are talking about shoes or a book. These listings usually sell genuine product that's cheap or crappy. The scammers usually use generic review text like "Great product! Thanks!" or "Worked great out of the box!" or "Exactly what I needed!"

Minimally the 1000 five-star reviews gives the merchant account credibility as "able to ship a product".

If you can't change the product listing (Seeds2.0, now they're Diamond Earrings!), your "company" at least starts off with 1000 five-star reviews from your other product(s).

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