Hi I thought I would share this method as a few days ago I had a problem with a few of my sites. They where based on a ripped wordpress theme that I had gotten and nulled (to stop the linkback to authors site and to stop wordpress calling out to let the author know it was installed on a domain/hosting). However the author found out anyway and contacted me via email. Words were exchanged and it is now sorted. Some of you may have also had this problem also. But did you know you can make money out of this?

This situation above got me thinking and I came up with a method, put it it in place and ching!ching! It works and you to can earn money from it.

The reason Im sharing it straight away is I cant think of anyway to automate it and it does take a lot of time but can earn you some good cash if done right.

So here we go:

1) Do some research an search the web and try to find sites that are ripped off, nulled wordpress themes, non-licensed wordpress themes etc.
2) Note all the details down of the ripped site - find out hosting, emails, contact, who.is, track them as much as possible etc.
3) Find the original authors site and join the affiliate program for the wordpress theme.
4) Buy a related domain name - so if the site is patratsthemes.com try to get one like patratsthemes.co.uk etc
5) Copy the authors site but change the links to buy the themes from your affiliate links to the authors payment page for the theme.
6) Send the website owner of the ripped site an email explaining they have got your ripped theme, they need to pay or you contact hosting, affiliate network and report them. Give them 24hrs. The send them more threats.
7) In the emails put your link (affiliate of course). Use methods to hide link.
8) Get paid for them buying it.
9) Send them follow up email saying thanks - track purchase via affiliate network tracking

It took me one day to setup this method (methods and email), then I spent the night trawling the web for ripped sites and the next day I did all contacting. In my first day I earnt $75 using this method.

Its a lot of work to start but once you get the hang of it, it takes no time at all Plus set up one theme site and look for all the ripped sites using that theme. I have 5 fake theme sites now.

An ides to take it to the next level of blackhat use your own payment system instead of affiliate links and make them pay you the full amount for the theme. I recommend not using paypal, use simular like alertpay or other. Then send them another ripped copy of the theme.

I hope you understand the method. And when you get an email like this make sure its actually the author and not me! LOL! or someone else using this method.

I have found that people do payup as they dont wnat to lose there hosting and affiliate network accounts.

Look for ripped premium themes, plugins etc. The best way to find the sites is to sign up to newbie warez, script forums. They have showcase sections where people ask for a review on there site and most of the time they have a ripped wordpress theme etc they have downloaded from that site.

Give it a go if your bored or have some time.

This sounds like extortion to me, and very uncool, besides what would make you so sure that the theme is ripped and not actually being bought, I would personally stay away from such low life tactics

That's what I would call- Web2.0 Bounty Hunter Method!

But Yeah Interesting idea.

It's a nasty method if you ask me. Using threats lol.

Yep a nasty method. I know its not for all people. Your either love it or hate it. The marmite of methods. At the end of the day its an idea I tried and some may like to try it.

Like the Web 2.0 Bounty Hunter Method name. Lets see how long it takes before someones selling over at DP and others I bet. Haha!

According to your methods it could very well be that you would target members from the BHW board as many of us may use nulled scripts or templates

it's stealing really. It;s like bullying someone in the playground for their dinner money, same aspect.

seomanifest - I wouldnt target members from BHW! That would just be stupid and idiotic as I would be caught and banned from the forum.

Ptrat, how will you know your not targetting us ?

if some1 would come ask me to pay for some ripped off wp theme maybe i would change it but noway in hell i would pay them 8O

Originally Posted by antsaoo

if some1 would come ask me to pay for some ripped off wp theme maybe i would change it but noway in hell i would pay them 8O

No doubt. I might change from that theme to another nulled theme, but I am not paying them nothing. Sue me.

When I was a small boy in School, one boy in the class told the teacher.
"Please Miss Johnnie had his eyes open during the prayer"
He couldn't understand why she punished him!!

i have to agree with mreleet.

also how will you know you are not targeting bhw members.....

but as you said you love it or you hate it. and i respect that....

i particularly dont like this method..

Sounds like a lot of risk for not much in return. But it is creative I'll give you that.

To each his own.

Just to set he record straight, this is just an idea I tried and it worked so I let BHW know about it. If you dont like it fine and as I said I will not really be doing it anymore as it does take time and resources that could be better spent on other projects.

As to those saying how will you know you will not target BHW members. I hoepfully can say with 100% confidence that I doubt any of you are stupid enough to buy a wordpress theme through a email link, website without checking it first. Also I believe you would go via the google route (search, find original link/website). Plus as some of you said you would just find an alternative solution/theme.

Also I would like to add you dont earn money online by tip-toeing around. You have to exploit want you can including people. Plus I personally will not be using the method anymore.

Thanks for the clarification and sorry for attacking you like that, i was also just expressing my opinion