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Browsing the Software threads, I saw a Google-ad that said:

Version 7.4 - Get it Now
The Latest Version. Just 99¢ a Song Fast Download - 100% Guaranteed.

And I was like

This didn't sound like something Apple would have said, so I checked the link and came to this site:

iTunes - Downloads straight to your iPod

My first thoughts was this: "What kind of scam is this? Just regular e-mail harvesting? You need to "sign up" to receive instructions on how to download iTunes. I mean... WTF?"

Then I went to their FAQ, which had this lovely gem:

Do you have anything for Mac?
Because Mac computers are used somewhat less, there's a smaller variety of programs. However, we've located some of the best programs available for your use!

But the plot thickens:

I thought the software was free. Why am I being asked to pay?
The software is completely free of charge. What you pay goes towards supporting our technical team and paying for the creation of more user guides. If you're unsatisfied, you can always cancel your membership and keep the software.

.

Yes. Apparently they are charging you for them to send you an automated e-mail with a link to download iTunes. What the...???

This completely baffled me. I thought I had seen every kind of internet scam by now. Anyone else have more information on this?

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I tried their signup process and this is what I got:

3 year Unlimited VIP Membership for only $49.95 - $11.65/year
2 Years Full & Unlimited Access for only $16.44/year
1 Year Unlimited Access for $29.88


Supercharge my Internet connection with our award winning Download
Accelerator for only $14.95 and download up to 300% faster!

So not only are they signing you up for a recurring paid membership, but also harvesting your e-mail for their other hairbrained schemes.

[zro]

Whois probably does.

I'm sure lots of people fall for it, too.

[Chuckit]

I'd tell Apple about this. If their lawyers jumped on that guy for posting the jokey "Congrats, late adopters" AdWords link to the Apple Store, they're bound to eat these folks for lunch.

[turtle777]

Shady mofos.

-t

[Mastrap]

Post the google ad link. Get everybody to click it 50 times. Bankrupt the ****ers.

[analogika]

Heh.

This Software may be obtained freely. New computer users should find our services valuable, and a time saver.
If you are an advanced computer user, you probably don't need our services.

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Originally Posted by Chuckit 

I'd tell Apple about this. If their lawyers jumped on that guy for posting the jokey "Congrats, late adopters" AdWords link to the Apple Store, they're bound to eat these folks for lunch.

Sent the link to sjobs@apple.com yesterday. No reply yet, but at least they should be aware of it.

[turtle777]

Man, don't you all know that sjobs@apple.com goes to dev/null ?

I mean, look at how much crap he gets from MacNN alone...

-t

[TETENAL]

One of those is probably appropriate for such a case: Apple - Legal

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Originally Posted by turtle777 

Man, don't you all know that sjobs@apple.com goes to dev/null ?

Completely untrue. However, he (and whoever secretary filters his mail) may be swamped from the whole iPhone price cut business at the moment

I have however forwarded it to Apple Legal as well.

[analogika]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

Man, don't you all know that sjobs@apple.com goes to dev/null ?

Nope. There's a staff of people sifting through it and forwarding it accordingly.

I can attest to that.