Online scams constantly evolve and thanks to AI its now getting harder and harder to spot what is legit and what isn’t. That said, there is still a real-world danger from simple email scams – as they seem to be evolving too, and are also getting more and more daring/sneaky
The email from/to info;
From: Invoice quickbooks@notification.intuit.com Sent: 10 September 2025 10:40 To: cubismbuildup@gmail.com Subject: Here is your Invoice #MOSA-876543 for account
Reply-to address is the same as the To: address here.
The “Print or Save” buttons actually seem to go to Quickbooks, so this scam seems to actually use the Quickbooks system and payment methods to actually rob money off people.
Crazy!
The domain name listed next to the email address doesn’t resolve to anything, and the link to Quickbooks has been disabled but the fact they are scamming via a legit accounts package is insane.
We really have to stay on our toes, as these scammers are getting more and more sneaky and will do anything they can to steal your hard earned money.
A few FAQs below to help you if you have found this post and are unsure what to do.
I got an email from Quickbooks with an invoice, I dont recognise it, what should I do?
Dont pay anything, contact the company listed and ask them what the invoice is for. Ask them to send you confirmation of the services you have with them. If in doubt, contact me!
Is Quickbooks a scam?
No, absolutely not. Quickbooks is a legitimate online accounting package.
As per the title, I am creating a new app to help small shops & businesses on high streets and in town centres of the UK. I have worked with small businesses for over 20 years now, and the same hurdles come up time and time again.
Cost of websites
Cost of ongoing marketing
Difficulty competing with big players
Public reluctance to visit town centres & high streets
And more….
And as a small business owner myself, I can fully empathise with this. Its so hard to stand out, be found and be chosen over and above the likes of Amazon or other similar platforms.
Why are the high streets and town centres failing?
Well, in my personal opinion, people aren’t avoiding high streets and town centres because they dont want to visit them – there are genuine roadblocks in place that are making people choose online purchasing over in-person shopping, such as;
Parking costs
Uncertainty of stock
Uncertainty of price
And more….
Additionally, after working with a few town centre authorities and BID’s around the UK, there are other things like high business rates and rents, BID Levies etc causing people to close shops and set up online stores instead.
Is there any hope?
Yes, I believe there is. Due to various reasons, for example the rise of the dropshipper – a lot of the current platforms we buy from are littered with rebranded crap that makes it hard to know what is actually going to be a good product.
For example, I was looking for ceiling fans the other day and searched on Amazon;
Not a single known brand name and in fact some of them look like someone just mashed a keyboard when they were thinking of a brand name.
I mean, Seyxicnor? How do you even say that?
And this is not something I have simply observed myself,
A lot of the posts are old too, so this has been brewing for a while. And if you look into it further, the same can be said for a lot of online retailers now. Even ebuyer, the once famous no1 source for computer stuff – doesn’t even sell desktop computers anymore, and what they do sell can be found on every single other marketplace or online store selling electronic equipment.
I think its safe to say peoples love of the current platforms is waning, and its time to do it all a bit differently!
Can the high streets and town centres really be saved?
I honestly think they can. My solution is focused on driving sales to small shops and businesses that have a bricks and mortar presence.
We will not accept “online only” sellers.
During the startup phase and until we have a degree of national coverage, we won’t be allowing large retailers to sign up.
And there is a lot of news and info coming out about how the younger generations are starting to venture out in the real world to do some of their shopping once again;
So there has never been a better time to produce a solution to bring the antiquated high streets and town centers of the UK, into the modern day era of convenience and technology.
So what is my app to help small shops?
You’re gonna have to wait and find out…. 🙂
If you are a shop or business owner local to me, then please get in touch as I would love to get you onboard as a totally free trial.
Oh yeah, its gonna be totally free for everyone, always.
An associate of mine messaged me, warning me of an email doing the rounds that was claiming to be from OpenAI and was relating to ChatGPT plus subscription renewals.
So lets go down the email and look at the obvious red flags;
Sender email – if this was a legitimate email from OpenAI it would normally have an OpenAI sender address.
Look out for punctuation and capital letters – If OpenAI were going to send an email like this, the mentions of ChatGPT would be written as such, they wouldn’t be written like this: chatGPT. This may seem like a small thing, but brands are usually quite strict when it comes to their brand name or their product names so this kind of mistake can often mean the email hasn’t come from them. Look in the footer of the email too, they wrote Openai – and this would never be formatted like this on legitimate emails from the company.
The button – (WARNING: do not click buttons to test – let me do that!) The button links to;
The link is complicated but it essentially takes the user to sanjaybapu.com/shinkar/ which seems to just be a black screen;
I assume this would have originally been a clone of the OpenAI website and load initially in some kind of user account section or a screen stating it was for a ChatGPT Plus Subscription Renewal and they would have taken some info and payment details and then probably sold your card info and/or your identity on the dark web.
NB: To check a link without clicking on it, hover over the link or button and in the bottom right hand wide of your browser window it should show yo where the button or link points.
Thankfully the Phishing website is now down, so no one can be scammed from these particular emails, but they have probably already made a new website and updated the button on future emails.
So, if you get an email from “OpenAI” about any kind of renewal, check the above things carefully (or forward to me if you are unsure) and if you smell a rat, then double check by logging into your OpenAI account by visiting their website and if its legit the renewal should appear in there too.
In an age of selfies, viral content, and influencer culture, it seems everyone is seeking their fifteen minutes of fame. Coined by artist Andy Warhol in the 1960s, the phrase predicted a future where fame would be fleeting—but accessible to all. Fast forward to today, and that future is now our reality. From TikTok dances to podcast appearances, fame has never been so democratised—or so desired.
But why do so many people crave it? And what makes this need for visibility more prominent now than in the past? Let’s explore the reasons behind our cultural fixation on becoming famous, even if just for a moment.
The Allure of Attention: Why People Want to Be Famous
Fame, for many, represents validation. Being known and admired gives people a sense of worth, success, and importance. In a competitive and often overwhelming world, recognition from strangers can feel like proof that we matter.
Psychologists suggest that the desire for fifteen minutes of fame is closely linked to self-esteem and identity. When traditional markers of success—like home ownership or a stable career—feel out of reach, fame becomes a new symbol of “making it.” It’s not just about being known, either. It’s about being seen, heard, and remembered.
There’s also an economic incentive. Social media fame can translate into real income through sponsorships, brand deals, and merchandise. For younger generations, becoming a YouTuber or influencer isn’t just a hobby—it’s a career goal.
Fifteen Minutes for Everyone: Technology Changed the Game
In the past, fame was reserved for a select few—film stars, musicians, and athletes. It was largely gatekept by the media and entertainment industries. Today, anyone with a smartphone can become famous, even if only temporarily.
Social media platforms have made fame scalable and accessible. A viral tweet or Instagram reel can catapult an unknown person into the public eye overnight and get them their fifteen minutes of fame. TikTok, in particular, thrives on this fleeting fame—highlighting trends, creators, and moments that often burn bright and fade fast.
Reality TV has also played a huge role in normalising “everyday fame.” Shows like Love Island or The Apprentice create instant celebrities out of regular people. Their fame might not last forever, but the exposure often leads to lucrative opportunities.
Validation in the Digital Age: Likes, Shares and Ego
Today’s fame isn’t just about TV appearances or magazine covers—it’s about engagement. The number of likes, comments, and followers has become a kind of social currency. For many, going viral is less about the message and more about the numbers.
This can have a profound psychological impact. Studies show that social media can trigger dopamine responses similar to those caused by drugs or gambling. The pursuit of digital validation can become addictive—driving people to create increasingly outrageous or attention-seeking content.
In short, fame today is often shallow but instantly gratifying—and that can be enough to fuel the desire for it.
Why It’s More Common Now Than Ever
Several cultural shifts have made the fifteen minutes of fame more common:
Social Media Algorithms: Platforms reward engagement, often prioritising controversial or sensational content. This encourages extreme behaviour or “shock value” content that can go viral quickly.
Cost of Living Crisis & Career Uncertainty: With traditional job security on the decline, younger people are seeking alternative ways to make money—and fame offers both visibility and opportunity.
Blurring of Public & Private Life: We now live in an era where sharing your life is normalised. From daily vlogs to livestreams, personal content is now part of public entertainment.
Fame Isn’t Always What It Seems
Despite the glamour, fame can have a darker side. Many who achieve viral success report high levels of anxiety, pressure, and burnout. There’s also the danger of being “cancelled” or criticised publicly—something that’s difficult to recover from emotionally or reputationally.
Additionally, fame can be fickle. Today’s sensation is tomorrow’s forgotten face. With the spotlight constantly shifting, many people find themselves chasing fame just to stay relevant—trapped in a cycle of content creation and self-promotion.
Chasing the Spotlight or Losing Yourself in It?
Our collective obsession with fame is a reflection of deeper societal needs—for recognition, validation, and a sense of purpose. While the internet has made achieving fifteen minutes of fame easier than ever, it’s also changed what fame looks like, feels like, and costs.
In the end, it’s worth asking: is the fifteen minutes of fame we’re chasing truly fulfilling—or just a digital illusion?
