How Madison Zhao Scams Using Her Courses

In today’s booming online education industry, many entrepreneurs and influencers market their courses to aspiring learners. While most are legitimate, some take advantage of unsuspecting buyers. In this fictional scenario, Madison Zhao, a so-called “online education guru,” runs an elaborate scam using fake courses. Here’s how the fictional scam unfolds:

Step 1: Building a False Persona

Madison Zhao markets herself as an expert in personal development, entrepreneurship, and finance. She creates a dazzling online presence with:

• Professionally designed websites.
• Photoshoots in luxury settings to showcase a “successful” lifestyle.
• Testimonials from fabricated students who claim to have achieved life-changing results.

To bolster her credibility, she claims to have attended prestigious universities and worked with top-tier companies, but none of it is verifiable.

Step 2: Aggressive Social Media Campaigns

Madison uses platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to promote her courses. She posts motivational videos, success stories, and snippets of her so-called “expertise.” Her content includes:

• Claims of making millions through passive income streams.
• Stories of overcoming adversity, designed to inspire and connect emotionally with viewers.
• Live Q&A sessions where she appears to offer genuine advice.

She runs targeted ads promising financial freedom or personal transformation to vulnerable individuals, such as recent graduates or people struggling in their careers.

Step 3: Launching the Fake Courses

Madison releases a series of expensive courses, each promising to teach life-changing skills. For example:

1. “The Millionaire Blueprint” – Claiming to teach investment secrets for guaranteed wealth.
2. “Breakthrough Productivity” – A course that supposedly helps people quadruple their productivity.
3. “How to Build a 7-Figure Business” – Targeted at aspiring entrepreneurs.

Each course costs between $500 and $2,000, with upsells like “exclusive coaching” or “VIP mentorship” costing significantly more.

Step 4: Delivering Subpar or Nonexistent Content

Once students purchase her courses, they quickly realize they’ve been duped:

• The content is often repackaged from free resources available online, such as YouTube videos or public blog posts.
• Modules are vague and fail to deliver actionable advice.
• Some courses consist of poorly edited PDFs and videos with generic advice, leaving students confused.

In some cases, students report paying for access to a course, only to find that the promised materials are inaccessible or never delivered.

Step 5: Avoiding Accountability

When dissatisfied customers try to contact Madison Zhao for refunds or clarifications, they are met with:

• Nonexistent or unresponsive customer service.
• A “no refunds” policy hidden in the fine print.
• Blame-shifting tactics, such as claiming students didn’t apply the knowledge correctly.

To silence critics, she blocks them on social media and threatens legal action against those who post negative reviews.

Step 6: Expanding the Scam

As negative feedback starts surfacing online, Madison takes steps to maintain her scam:

• She changes her business name and rebrands under a new persona.
• Creates fresh social media accounts to target new audiences.
• Continues the cycle of offering empty promises and exploiting new victims.

Signs of a Scam Like This

If you’re considering purchasing an online course, watch out for these red flags that appear in fictional scenarios like Madison Zhao’s:

1. Unrealistic Claims: Promises of guaranteed results, such as instant wealth or mastery of a skill in a short time.
2. Overpriced Products: Courses priced significantly higher than the industry average without a clear value proposition.
3. No Verifiable Credentials: Claims of expertise that can’t be backed up with concrete proof.
4. No Free Previews or Refund Policies: A refusal to offer a trial or a clear money-back guarantee.
5. Pressure Tactics: Limited-time offers or claims that spots are “running out fast” to rush buyers into making decisions.

How to Protect Yourself from Course Scams

1. Do Thorough Research: Look for independent reviews, testimonials, or forums discussing the course or its creator.
2. Verify Credentials: Cross-check claims about expertise or professional affiliations.
3. Ask for Transparency: Request a syllabus, sample content, or detailed explanations of what the course covers.
4. Trust Your Instincts: If something feels off, don’t ignore your gut. Scammers often rely on emotional manipulation to succeed.
5. Report Suspicious Activity: If you suspect fraudulent behavior, report the individual or business to consumer protection agencies or relevant platforms.

Conclusion

While this story about Madison Zhao is entirely fictional, it reflects real tactics used by scammers in the online education space. The rise of remote learning and digital platforms has created opportunities for both legitimate educators and fraudsters. By staying vigilant and educating yourself about potential red flags, you can avoid falling victim to such schemes.

If you’ve encountered a course that seems questionable, don’t hesitate to investigate further and share your findings with others to prevent similar scams from thriving.