Hello, community! First, we want to apologize for the slang used in the title of this article. Unfortunately, there are no widely accepted terms to describe the phenomenon we propose to discuss. Like any other form of slang, we strongly condemn its use. 

Today, we will discuss an issue that casts an unpleasant shadow over the entire affiliate marketing industry: people you should avoid, especially if you are new to the niche.  

Before we begin, we remind you that we’ve already talked about common scams targeting affiliates. We recommend reading it to avoid similar situations. 

What is “Info-Gypsyism”? 

The topic we are about to discuss is not a pleasant one. However, avoiding it will only ensure that more newcomers who could achieve significant success in affiliate marketing turn away from the industry because they fall into the hands of hypocritical scammers. 

Info-gypsyism, or info-scamming, involves creating utterly “empty” educational materials, courses, and lectures, filled with fluff and then sold to people who are far from the subject but sincerely want to learn something new. 

We see several serious problems with info-gypsyism: 

  • It casts a shadow over the entire industry, potentially leading to public pressure and stricter legislative regulation.
  • It kills potential. People who fall victim to scammers early in their journey are unlikely to return to affiliate marketing later.

It might seem harmless at first glance — no new competitors, easier auction wins, etc. But fresh faces are essential for any niche to thrive, as newcomers bring fresh ideas and perspectives, making affiliate marketing not just profitable but also an exciting craft. 

But how do these scammers manage to convince people to throw money at their screens, believing they’ll uncover the secret to becoming millionaires? It’s simple: 

  1. Motivation, or better yet, manipulation. “Tired of working for someone else? – Of course!” But in the end, instead of working for a boss, people just hand over money to the same kind of boss. A perfect plan, as reliable as a Swiss watch.
  2. Lies. The main tool. Fabricated stories about overcoming adversity — the ugly duckling who found success in affiliate marketing, built unique connections, and now teaches others. They claim to support the military but avoid taxes, help grandmothers cross the street, and heal animals. Who wouldn’t pay $2,000 to learn to be like them?

All of this is disgraceful. Sometimes, it goes so far that some groups believe affiliates are only in the business of creating courses.  

Check the scale for yourself. Search “affiliate marketer” on Instagram. Most of the profiles you find are regular info-scammers with massive audiences. 

How to Recognize an Info-Scammer? 

There are certain red flags that can indicate something is off and warn you to avoid interactions with a particular individual. One such flag is guaranteeing success. Those working in affiliate marketing know that even well-established connections can fail at any moment, requiring new approaches. 

Another is lack of specificity. If someone is vague even when promoting their course, it’s a clear reason to be skeptical. Or if they promise to teach affiliate marketing across the board instead of focusing on specific methods (like running Facebook ads for iGaming).  

Reputation matters. If someone presents themselves as an experienced expert in the field, there should be other affiliates who can vouch for them. You can either reach out directly to verify their credentials or simply Google their name and analyze the available information.  

The most obvious red flag is a history of criminal cases. These can be easily found in court registries, especially if the scammer is registered as a legal entity (as they should be to declare income from their “services”). 

Can You Recover Money Spent on Scam Services? 

A significant challenge is that scams are often defined as situations where someone unlawfully takes another person’s property. Fraud also includes knowingly false statements or omissions intended to mislead someone into handing over their property.  

Can this be applied in practice? With a competent lawyer, possibly. However, based on our experience, even those deeply familiar with the niche can’t recall instances where scammers were held accountable for selling empty promises. Unfortunately. 

That said, other tools can still be used, such as public exposure. This can help reduce the number of people falling for the promises of pseudo-experts. 

Conclusion 

Why are there so many scammers in affiliate marketing? The answer is simple: it’s a highly lucrative niche that attracts those looking for easy money. Instead of educating their audience about the challenges of the work, scammers lure them in with empty promises. This results in more disappointed people who abandon affiliate marketing without even trying it for real. 

We want to emphasize that all the information these scammers sell at exorbitant prices can be found for free. Check out our media and our colleagues’ platforms. Additional resources are available in our Telegram community, where help is freely and willingly provided.  

We apologize once again for the amount of slang used here. However, it helps convey our message to a wider audience, potentially saving them money and nerves.  

Take care, Your Geek! 

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