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Vishal P. Rao
Joined: 23 Jun 2005
Posts: 948
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# Posted: 27 Jun 2005 09:07 · Edited by: Vishal P. Rao
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The first thing you should do to avoid being a victim of a work at home scam is to become aware of types of opportunities that are most commonly scams. Here, we discuss some examples of such work at home scams, so that the next time you come across such a sale letter or advertisement, you will be well-equipped to differentiate between the genuine and fake ones.
Chain Letters/Emails
If you are a frequent visitor of the Internet, you might have come across chain letters or emails promising that if you send a specific amount to the top addresses on the list and pass them on to more addresses, you can get your name added to the list, and thus you can become a millionaire because other people will send you money as well. Well, these mails are framed in such a manner that only the top names receive all the money, leaving you trapped in cases of fraud.
Typing At Home
If you are a frequent computer user, then your typing speed is bound to be good, and what better way to capitalize on it other than getting to do some typing work at home. Well, don't jump on all such opportunities, as most of them are deceiving. Such advertisements send you a disk and printed information, for a fee. All you need to do is to type these home typist ads, place them on the Internet, and sell them to more people like you. So, you see this scam is trying to turn you into a scammer.
Well, besides these two work at home scams, there are many more baits lying there for you. So, here we give a list of some of them.
* Email processing � Just read emails and get paid $3/per mail.
* Craft assembly for $600 a week. You have to call them and they send you a pamphlet with 100 companies to call, these companies will ask you to send $20 or $30 just to get the start up kit.
* Email processing
* Typist- All you need is a computer and internet connection. What they omit to tell you is that you have to post the same add you responded too.
* Newspaper clip assembly. Get your local newspaper and send particular clips for $5/clip.
* Stuffing envelopes for $2. And the list goes on.
* Pyramid schemes
Besides most work at home scams do not offer salaries nor do they guarantee a regular income. For some of them, you have to invest a small fee to be part of the members or buy the product and they neglect to tell you that you have to work quite a few hours before you can ever see a penny. Never give out personal information. You can check the credibility of the company via the Better Business Bureau and see if they are legal or had any complaints or you can check with the FTC (The Federal Trade Commission) call them toll-free at 1-877-FTC-HELP. That's 1-877-FTC-H-E-L-P.
Note: If you feel suspicious about an opportunity, do a search on Google.com with keywords: COMPANY NAME Scam. You'll most likely come across discussions pertaining to the opportunity, if it's a scam.
[Post edited 05/31/08 - Admin]
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photomom04
Member
Joined: 6 Oct 2005
Posts: 73
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# Posted: 6 Oct 2005 13:43
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Can I add something here? The number one way to tell if something is a scam is if they are asking you to pay to work for them. If there are ANY fees such as a one time membership fee, a fee for "training materials" etc., it is probably a scam.
When you are looking at starting a "business" such as in direct sales you will have start up costs and that is normal but you should never pay for a JOB.
Connie
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Vishal P. Rao
Joined: 23 Jun 2005
Posts: 948
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# Posted: 7 Oct 2005 00:56
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Very true Connie  I don't know how I missed that. One never pays to get a job in real world too!
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microdermxuser
Member
Joined: 8 Oct 2005
Posts: 2
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# Posted: 8 Oct 2005 16:29
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I tried one of those chain letters that promised 6,000,000 and I got one whole dollar whooo hooo...rip off!!!
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gary99
Member
Joined: 29 Sep 2005
Posts: 24
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# Posted: 12 Oct 2005 21:08
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Pretty much the answer is that age old adage. If it seems too good to be true, it is. Starting your own home based business is a lot of work.
Anyhow, good luck everyone.
-Gary
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philena30
Member
Joined: 14 Oct 2005
Posts: 61
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# Posted: 14 Oct 2005 22:00
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I glad I'm dealing with some smart people on this board. It's true. All of it. I wish I would pay for something I can get for free if I search for it....duh... But that's what scams are! Any business opportunity that's says, get rich overnight or while you sleep, is a bunch of bolony. I always tell people, no matter what business opportunity you decide upon, please check with the better business bureau, before you lay your money on the table!
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rrscottm
Member
Joined: 20 Oct 2005
Posts: 1
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# Posted: 20 Oct 2005 20:06
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Hi Everyone, I just want to interject that legitimate network marketing opportunites are not scams. Network marketing is a very good way for an individual to begin a home business with a small start up cost and we mus remeber that in order to get into your own business there is always a cost involved.
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philena30
Member
Joined: 14 Oct 2005
Posts: 61
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# Posted: 20 Oct 2005 23:18
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Yep.. But sooo many people fall victim because of impulse buying. Those are the ones that get hurt the most. Sure we all are told by uplines to, "Keep control of the conversation... don't let them think just do... If they ask too many questions, you don't have the right posture..." I think it's all a bunch of bolony(eaten by a dog and pooped out bolony) I never done that to people, and still will not stoop that low. I develop my business just fine and now my upline has left me alone. I like making friendships and leaders, not suckers and numbers.
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magix66
Member
Joined: 20 Oct 2005
Posts: 3
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# Posted: 5 Nov 2005 17:48
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So many "work from home" opportunities, I too have been mislead and scammed many times.
I suggest you never join a system untill fully reading and understanding it's workings.
After many failures I finaaly found the most lucrative realistic work from home dream for me.
It offers all the information UP FRONT and you can read into it all to make a real decision in your time.
I wish all of you the best in your ventures.
[Link removed. Use personal websites in sig. - Admin]
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made51k2005
Member
Joined: 11 Dec 2005
Posts: 7
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# Posted: 11 Dec 2005 02:29
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I agree that not all network marketing are scams. However, most will hike up the price of the product that you can buy down the street and if they are mlm, the people at the bottom usually suffer the most when the company goes under.
I put in $5,000 to sell water filters years ago and lost it all. That gave me such a bad taste in my mouth that I never touched one again.
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taityl
Member
Joined: 10 Dec 2005
Posts: 17
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# Posted: 11 Dec 2005 08:25
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I personally experience this type of 'Home Typist' job scam, look at my previous post at the discussion on hometypers.com.
Even when you can get someone to answer your phone call and answer your question with a real person; or even when they can give you a bank account, if they as you to pay in order to work for them,you better don't take the risk.
Joanne
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knilesh
Member
Joined: 28 Dec 2005
Posts: 4
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# Posted: 30 Dec 2005 17:11
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Hi Friends,
To me, always be carefull when someone ask you to pay to get work at home.. True genuine Work-at-Home must be free, i believe.
- thanks
nilesh
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ann
Member
Joined: 17 Jan 2006
Posts: 5
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# Posted: 19 Jan 2006 13:13
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Quoting: philena30 Yep.. But sooo many people fall victim because of impulse buying. Those are the ones that get hurt the most. Sure we all are told by uplines to, "Keep control of the conversation... don't let them think just do... If they ask too many questions, you don't have the right posture..." I think it's all a bunch of bolony(eaten by a dog and pooped out bolony) I never done that to people, and still will not stoop that low. I develop my business just fine and now my upline has left me alone. I like making friendships and leaders, not suckers and numbers.
Hi -- I'm SO glad to hear you say this - that you CAN build a network marketing business by being nice and upfront about it. I am just starting out and I'm excited about the potential!! Ann
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Nessloch
Member
Joined: 29 Jan 2006
Posts: 1
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# Posted: 29 Jan 2006 15:00
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Good sites:
www.ripoffreport.com
www.scam.com
just use the search portion in both forums, they're excellent resources.
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mcbsconsulting
Joined: 15 Oct 2005
Posts: 136
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# Posted: 29 Jan 2006 15:31
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Hey guys,
I actually thought it was important enough to include scam and legit on my blog post today.
I have heard so many questions about this type thing, I decided to at least list the good and bad from my own experience.
Good Luck,
Joe
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Sonelle
Member
Joined: 9 Feb 2006
Posts: 1
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# Posted: 9 Feb 2006 18:12
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I find scams very easily! They display themselves at once with this strategem (emphasis on the syllable 'gem'!):
Marketer: "All you have to do is invest $100.00 and you'll be rich!"
Me: "I believe you! But I don't have the money! Tell you what I'll do... you send me the materials now, for free, and I will send you double (or triple) the investment price in one month, IF I make what you are guaranteeing I'll make! I will even sign an promissory note to that effect! Fair enough?"
Marketer "N-nooooooooooooo....(fill in all the 41,000 reasons he does NOT want to make triple his investment in 4 weeks)!"
That's when the little blinking light "SCAM!" "SCAM!" "SCAM!" comes on, on his forehead!
Works EVERY time because if they're legit, the know they'll get a great deal of cash back, but if they know their deal is a fake, they will lose that initial investment! And if what they say is true, you will easily afford the amount.
Sonelle
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Adon
Member
Joined: 13 Feb 2006
Posts: 1
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# Posted: 16 Feb 2006 15:48
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Beware when a business opportunity is trying to entice you into buying NOW by saying something like "...this product will only be available for $29.97 until March 31, then the price will go back up to $58.97.." This is a red flag! I've seen several websites like this and the only thing that changes is the date! One time I got duped by this trick and saw that the deadline date had already passed. I contacted the scam artist and asked him to please make an exception for me as I was sending in my payment today. Of course, the crook agreed and the next day he had extended the deadline date on the site. The crook is not going to reject you buying the product at the "hook price". This is the intention all along and the "you better hurry up and get in on this opportunity now at this price" tactic always works on people who are taken in by the "business opportunity" by making them think they have to rush to purchase it. He got me!
It works the same way in retail establishments when they put things on sale for a limited time. But at least you know if you rush to Walmart and buy it before it goes off sale, you've got the product you wanted. It doesn't feel good when you've bought into a supposed web based business opportunity thinking like this....and it turns out to be a scam! Been there done that!
If you see this tactic being used on a business opportunity website, take my advice and click that X in the upper right hand corner of the window.
Adon
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getagrip
Joined: 20 Feb 2006
Posts: 1506
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# Posted: 22 Feb 2006 19:08
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I agree with a lot of posts here in that there are a lot of internet scams out there, but not all programs you have to pay for are scams. If you wrote a digital book that teaches internet marketing, would you give it away for free? I certainly would not!
If you do think something is a scam, however, here are a couple of things you can do to avoid being a victim:
1. Check out http://www.bbbonline.org/consumer/ to see if the product you are thinking of purchasing is listed.
2. Also check out http://ripoffreport.com. This is a GREAT resource to spot scams, but not everyting listed on there is a scam...
For example, Clickbank is an online marketplace where you'll see a lot of products with bold claims, and to my knowledge, every item they sell is backed by a money back guarantee...and you will see some Clickbank products on ripoffreport.com. Sometimes, however, people who purchase Clickbank products and have a problem don't realize that they can email Clickbank directly to get a refund if the seller does not respond. Just keep that in mind if you ever run into a Clickbank product and ever have a problem with the seller.
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hypercybertyper
Member
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Posts: 9
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# Posted: 22 Feb 2006 22:37
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I agree totally with the comment about never paying for a job but expecting to invest into any new business venture. Just make sure your business venture provides something that is in demand. I ignored all MLM and Networking opportunities until I came across one that actually provides Internet Marketing tools and resources at no extra cost. My team leader is financing the research into leads etc. and so I can't lose. What's best about it is that anyone with motivation can do this programme and learn a whole heap of stuff, which they can then use to promote any other business or even a number of businesses. I feel that I have invested $30 wisely as not only am I part of a brilliant programme run by experts and professionals, I can also extend my earnings by using the provided tools and resources to promote any number of other businesses!
I saw one scheme recently claiming to be one such programme but one that finds typing work for people... signup for just one time $49 and a free laptop... I have a feeling the laptop would never arrive and that it was just a total scam! But if I am right, the owners of the site have done this knowing that the laptop is worth far more than $49 and is a great big incentive!
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gurudattsinha
Member
Joined: 25 Feb 2006
Posts: 2
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# Posted: 25 Feb 2006 08:00
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I also saw a newspaper add from Icash.com to pay 990 rupees for CD to how to earn money with GoogleJunction. Can anybody suggest something regarding this? Is this a fraud site/ad? If yes, pls let me know so that i will not get trapped into it.
Regards
Guru
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philena30
Member
Joined: 14 Oct 2005
Posts: 61
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# Posted: 25 Feb 2006 09:02
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Do you have a link? I tried Icash.com put got forward to Yeah.com so I don't know which one your talking about. But be careful with those types of sites.
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Brian Hayes
Member
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Posts: 7
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# Posted: 25 Feb 2006 11:22
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I would say anyone who is evaluating an MLM opportunity has to look at what it is. They are typically products or services. Someone mentioned losing money on water filters. No disrespect, but how many people are going to wake this morning and say, "Boy, this is the day that I'm going to get a water filter." You have to look at an opportunity and ask yourself, "Is this something I can make money on, month-after-month, year-after-year, without continuously trying to get the same people to purchase the product over and over or attempt to requalify with the company. Our business is services that people absolutely have to have and pay for everymonth. YOu simply cannot do without them.
Please visit my website below, click the Opportunities tab, watch the "Your future starts now" video, and ask yourself afterwards, "Does it make sense to get paid for services that people are going to use anyway'?
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philena30
Member
Joined: 14 Oct 2005
Posts: 61
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# Posted: 25 Feb 2006 11:27
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Hi ACN...  I joined it, but my health and wellness biz offer services too that people have to pay for each and every month also. And we all need certain products every month... Like soap  So it's up to the individual.
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Brian Hayes
Member
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Posts: 7
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# Posted: 25 Feb 2006 11:34
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With health and wellness, people have the option of determining if they want to use it. WIth what we do, they have to, absolutely no way around it. Are you an active rep?
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philena30
Member
Joined: 14 Oct 2005
Posts: 61
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# Posted: 25 Feb 2006 11:40 · Edited by: philena30
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no.. not too active, I was waiting for gas and electricity for IL. Then the health and wellness took off more and the family business so I didn't focus on it.
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Brian Hayes
Member
Joined: 22 Feb 2006
Posts: 7
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# Posted: 25 Feb 2006 11:57
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Why don't you shoot be an e-mail at brianhayes.acninc.net and I'll update you on what's going on? We're moving into New Zealand next month and we have some exciting technology that we've just released. What part of Illinois are you in?
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philena30
Member
Joined: 14 Oct 2005
Posts: 61
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# Posted: 25 Feb 2006 18:27
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I still get their emails.. I haven't read them in quite some time. Sorry.. after the mess with Scampay and redoin a business plan, I maybe able to get back in the swing of things in April. But I guess I should get my affiliate site like yours on my blog and forum. Oh.. If you want to know where I live.. check the siggy plz.
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Mike_Online
Member
Joined: 25 Feb 2006
Posts: 3
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# Posted: 25 Feb 2006 18:33
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Wow, $5000 lost! I didn't realize that some of the MLM's required such a hefty investment. My wife was in Mary Kay, but that was a fairly good product that she uses to this day. She was able to sell her inventory (at cost) very easily when she decided this was not for her. I dabbled with Amsoil (another good quality product) but decided that "oil" just wasn't that interesting to me. I guess whatever you do, it has to be of interest to you. You have to work hard as well.
And yes, never ever PAY to work for someone! That is the biggest tipoff.
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philena30
Member
Joined: 14 Oct 2005
Posts: 61
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# Posted: 25 Feb 2006 18:43
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Quoting: Mike_Online Wow, $5000 lost! I didn't realize that some of the MLM's required such a hefty investment. My wife was in Mary Kay, but that was a fairly good product that she uses to this day. She was able to sell her inventory (at cost) very easily when she decided this was not for her. I dabbled with Amsoil (another good quality product) but decided that "oil" just wasn't that interesting to me. I guess whatever you do, it has to be of interest to you. You have to work hard as well.
Sheeeesh  That's really messed up. I couldn't imagine going through that much drama. Everyone has horror story though. I have a few I could name myself, but I'm sure people are tired of hearing scampay. 
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coreyjroman
Joined: 11 Jul 2005
Posts: 91
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# Posted: 16 Mar 2006 23:47
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Most common money scam I can think of is the "money matrix". You see a lot of these claiming that it was featured on OPRAH and this and that where they aired a story about a boy who made a fortune on a chain letter and hid the money in his closet until his mom found it. Then they give you a legitimacy statement saying that because they offer a made in china plastic kazoo which is an actual product that it makes it completely legal and ask you to join saying that you can make 15,500 dollars in one month... LOL. ...a fool born every minute!
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