Money Making Scams: Kevin

Who is  Kevin Hoeffer?

Review: Many websites, different stories: does not add up!

The name Kevin Hoeffer appears on many websites, each telling a variation of a get-rich story.  Since these stories present conflicting information, using the same, similar and varying photos and facts, we deem this very likely to be a scam; certainly there is misdirection and false information presented. There are huge number of similar websites, all using a very similar appearance, layout, stories and pushing similar products.

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Start investigating with "Kevin Gets Green"

This website "http://www.kevingotgreen.com/" presents this story:

My name is Kevin Hoeffer. Married 3 years to Audrey. I lost my job as a boring account rep for a manufacturing company a few months back. But here is my story on how I got $12,000 financial aid from the government in 30 days and actually make the $5,000+ a month submitting small texts and ads online. Read my story to learn how I did it.

And then he starts promoting "EarnFastCashwithGoogle".

Later on that webpage, he says "Thank you for visiting my site KevinBlogsite.org. This is Kevin Hoeffer from San Jose, CA."

Warning: Why the multiple domain? Kevingotgreen.com or KevinBlogsite.org? Let's compare the two websites.

There is a photo of a check from Google, and a picture of a young family (presumably his) at DisneyLand.

Warning: "Kevin and his family clearly are not the same people in the images on his different websites.  In both cases, he clearly states that these are supposed to be actual photos of him (Kevin) and his family:

The photo on the left, below, is from Kevingotgreen.com and Kevinisgreen.com on February 5, 2009.  The photo on the right is from Kevinsblogsite.org on the same day. The third photo is from kevingetsthegreen.com Click on the images to got to those websites (note that he may switch images yet again when he realizes that we are pointing out the discrepancy). If you look in the images directory on his websites, you will find the other images he rotates, such as the fourth, below.

Warning: The name is blacked out on the check (why?). And that photo (http://www.kevingotgreen.com/images/google-check.jpg ) , according to an image search too (Tineye.com) appears on 41 different websites (including bradsmoney.com and Adsenseconnection.com ); with amounts and names photoshopped. If you zoom in closely, you'll notice that all of the text curves slightly, since the orginal check was being held by two hands causing it to bend slightly.  But the text "Five thousand and .." and the amount "5000.00" are straight.

The photo below was on Kevingotgreen.com on February 5, 2009 (click on the image to see the website):

This photo (below) was on Bradsmoney.com on February 5, 2009:

Warning: Why are there multiple websites, with nearly identical stories and layouts, using altered photos and different names?

Note on "BradsMoney.com" this story:

My name is Brad and this is my blog. I was struggling with credit card debt, bills and other financial obligations to take care of. This is my story of how I was able to get a $12,000 check from the government in 30 days and start making over $5,000 per month online with Google.

"Kevin" goes on to say:

"Here's how to get started:

Step 1: Go to this link, fill out a basic online form and hit submit at EarnCashFastwithGoogle.com Pay the $1.00 for shipping.

Step 2: Follow the directions on EarnCashFastwithGoogle.com and set up a Google account. Then they will give you the website links to post. Start posting those links. Google tracks everything.

Step 3: Google will start send their first check to you in about 48 hours. Or you can start to have them wire directly into your checking account. (Your first checks will be about $500 to $1,500 a week. Then it goes up from there. Depends on how many links you posted online.)

Warning: Why would he ask for you to pay $1?

Answer: to gain access to your credit card! See this page for an account of what happens.

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Other References:

These websites post additional analyses of the "Kevin" scam:

• http://digg.com/people/Kevin_Gets_Green_Wat
• http://www.hourglass8.org/politics/general/100-facebook-advertising-internet-scams
• http://www.workathometruth.com/blog/2008/12/13/bradsmoney-wheres-that-government-check/
• http://wafflesatnoon.com/2009/01/10/scam-alert-website-list/

Related stories

• http://sprawl3.com/blog/2009/02/04/facebook-misleading-users-with-display-ads-grant-access-club-scam/

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Alter Egos - Similar "Kevin websites

Here is a list of some of the "Kevin Hoeffer" websites we found:

1. kevinblogsite.org
2. kevingetsgrants.com
3. kevingetsgreen.com
4. kevingonegreen.com
5. kevingotcash.com
6. kevingotgreen.com
7. kevingothisgreen.com
8. kevinhoeffer.com
9. kevinsbigmoneysecret.com
10. kevinsgrantstory.com
11. kevinsgotgreen.com
12. kevinsgreen.com
13. kevinsnewlife.com
14. kevinsrich.com

These are reported to or appear to be related, or at least use similar styles and approaches.  See this website for a more complete and up-to-date list:

1. adamsmoney.com
2. adamsmoneyblog.com
3. beckysmoneyblog.com
4. bethsmoney.com
5. bethsmoney.net
6. bethsmoney.org
7. billgetsmoney.com
8. bradmakesitrain.com
9. bradsmoney.com
10. bradsmoneyblog.com
11. briangetsmoney.com
12. briansmoneyblog.com
13. brians-money-blog.com
14. carlasmoney.com
15. chadgetsgreen.com
16. conniesgrantstory.com
17. craigsblogsite.org
18. craiggetscash.com
19. davegetsmoney.com
20. davidscreditstory.com
21. davidsmoneyblog.com
22. googlekits.com
23. grantsforyounow.com/
24. jasongetsgrants.com
25. jasongetspaid.com
26. jasongrants.com
27. jeffgetsgrants.com
28. jeffsgrant.net
29. jeffgetsgreen.com
30. marksgotcash.com
31. mattsgrants.com
32. mikegetsmoney.com
33. mikemakesmoney.com
34. mikesmoneymatters.com
35. ryan-craig.com
36. ryansincomestory.com
37. ryansmoney.com
38. sarahsdebtblog.com
39. scottsjobhunt.com
40. scottsmoney.com
41. stevesmoneyblog.com
42. tomscash.com
43. tomsjournal.com