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JANUARY 9, 2005 at 9:22 PM
Posted by CHEESER
Source: HPANA
A web site purporting to offer electronic versions of all five Harry Potter novels by JK Rowling, including the unreleased sixth book, has sprung up and is advertising online to fans through search engines and ad-supported sites like HPANA. We have received numerous e-mails about this issue in the past several days.
DO NOT place any orders with a site claiming to sell such rubbish. It should be noted that there are no authorized electronic text versions of the Potter books, period. The sixth, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, is to be released July 16.
The Leaky Cauldron reported
yesterday that after submitting an order on the site -- which will remain unnamed -- a message was returned stating that credit card processing was unsuccessful (after card numbers were already collected and presumably stored).
HPANA has contacted the site's web host to inform them of the illegal nature of their client's site. Rowling and/or her representatives have no doubt already been alerted to the situation. It's highly likely we'll hear something official very soon, in the form of a message from Jo on her web site, or through one of her representatives.
UPDATE: According to BBC News the web site in question has been closed down.
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226-249
Witch
Points: 756
MeerzBeerz says:
That is soo annoying, i mean why, why! Its so unnecassary. but then again there are scum on this earth so im actually suprised it hasnt happened sooner.
Posted Jan 10, 2005 at 4:59 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 394
japlaak says:
Thank you, really thank you, for alerting us :)
Posted Jan 10, 2005 at 6:06 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1114
Saminal says:
jeez, that's really horrible. I really hope they didn't fool to many people with this. I wonder how much money they actually made on it. I'll bet that however much it was, it won't be anywhere near what they are going to get fined for! (and depending on what country they are in, they could be looking at some jail time! bet it's the U.S. though so they won't be)
Posted Jan 10, 2005 at 6:39 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 3rd Class
Points: 1430
littlejoe72 says:
I was wondering about those. They look pretty suspicious to me. I'm glad HPANA is warning everyone. Maybe they can shut down those bad websites or soemthing....
nat
Posted Jan 10, 2005 at 6:49 AM EST
Witch
Points: 916
SnapesSlave says:
Whenever there is something hot, undoubtedly a scam will follow. It's quite a shame. I hope too many people didn't fall for it.
Posted Jan 10, 2005 at 7:00 AM EST
The Dark Knight
Points: 5789
minister for magic says:
I never noticed anything like that on this site.
But the people that can do that. I feel for the people who ordered from there. But how can you believe that HBP is out yet. Don't believe anything until July 16!
Posted Jan 10, 2005 at 7:32 AM EST
Head Boy
Points: 467
Forest Denizen says:
I'm lucky I guess Idon't care much for E books. If it had been an ad for cd's of the book's I might have looked closer.
Posted Jan 10, 2005 at 8:21 AM EST
Potions Master
Points: 4781
Half-Blood Prince says:
I can't believe anyone would even fall for this. I mean, I know we all want HBP but JKR said July 16! Who would believe that it is already out? Nonetheless, I think it's pretty scummy of people to take advantage of JKR's gift by stealing credit card numbers. Though it is also foolish to hand over your card number for something like this.
Posted Jan 10, 2005 at 8:31 AM EST
Auror
Points: 2026
Mari Potter Baudelaire says:
What an absurd! Though I did see the that but I didn't belive it was the actuall HBP book. Hope this guys get caught in very short period of time!!!!!!!
Posted Jan 10, 2005 at 8:39 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 366
GryffindorsBeauty says:
Why would someone do that? the sixth book hasent even come out yet.
some web sites we cant trust!!!!!
Posted Jan 10, 2005 at 9:10 AM EST
Weird Sisters Guitarist
Points: 3573
Prof. Sk8ergirl says:
Hmm...yeah.I've herad baout such stuff happening.In factm the same thing happened for the fifth book and and frined got fooled...
Posted Jan 10, 2005 at 9:16 AM EST
Keeper of the Faeries
Points: 5239
juliebug04 says:
You know, some people really need to get a normal job, because they obviously have entirely too much time on their hands. It is bound to take a long time to create a scam this elaborate. They should be stoned in the street...
Sorry...it just really bugs me that people take advantage of gullible people. Of course, in this day and age, I am surprised that ANYONE is that gullible anymore, but evidently, there are still some out there.
Posted Jan 10, 2005 at 9:21 AM EST
Hogwart's Jedi Princess
Points: 3491
Darth Amanda says:
I can't belive any body would fall for a trick like that.
If they fell for it, then they are probably not a really HP fan are just trying to bug their friends because a REAL fan would know that JK would never let it be released in electronic text.
Besides, E-books stink!
Posted Jan 10, 2005 at 9:30 AM EST
Muggle
Points: 77
magicalkurstee says:
I saw that advertisement on an advert the other day! I didnt think that was quite right...I think it was on Amazon actually and it stated 'download the new harry potter book now' even though the new harry potter isnt released until July. I cant believe somebody could do that
Posted Jan 10, 2005 at 9:32 AM EST
Order of Merlin, 1st Class
Points: 1941
tsvety says:
That's sooooooooo AWFUL!!!! How could people fall on this!!! They should be more carefull!!!
Posted Jan 10, 2005 at 9:34 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1158
Moonbake says:
That is Rubbish! I hope the perputraters are caught and prosecutited! That is a horrible thing to do!
Posted Jan 10, 2005 at 9:43 AM EST
Professor
Points: 1180
Audra Laudarque says:
I cannot believe that people would do such a heinous thing, really! Well, many people are out in the world, trying to make a buck, but to make a buck disshonestly is quite terrible. Anyway. I cannot wait until the sixth book comes out.
Posted Jan 10, 2005 at 9:46 AM EST
Witch
Points: 569
HP_Nutter says:
Oh Man. This never ends. I would say something bad, but this is 'family site'. Hope the people get caught.
Posted Jan 10, 2005 at 10:01 AM EST
Profesora de la Paz
Points: 2824
Sassafras says:
How unfortunate that yet another person attempts to scam sincere people by preying on their fandom. I am so glad that HPANA and The Leaky Cauldron are standing up agains this chicanery. Raspberries to the perpetrators.
Posted Jan 10, 2005 at 10:20 AM EST
Headless Hunt Captain
Points: 2887
Dark_Wizard_Chaser says:
Some people will go to any lengths to get money! This is retarded and an insult to the true author!
Posted Jan 10, 2005 at 10:28 AM EST
Prefect
Points: 394
japlaak says:
HURRAH!!! Now the scam site seems to be closed.
That's a REAL releaf.
(But, on a much graver note: someone will surely try the same hoax again, much too soon.)
Posted Jan 10, 2005 at 10:29 AM EST
Muggle Representative
Points: 9117
The Lime says:
I cannot believe it! It's such a shame that people DO that! well, good we know, and good it will be stopped right away! ... Hopefully!
Posted Jan 10, 2005 at 10:33 AM EST
Ginny's Twin
Points: 3764
~Marie Antoinette~ says:
There are some real jerks in the world. I hope they get caught and the appropiate penalty is handed to them.
Posted Jan 10, 2005 at 10:39 AM EST
Avada Kedavra Survivor
Points: 4063
the-girl-who-lived says:
Thats so stupid. How could some one even have a copy of the 6th bk? The lie doesn't even seem believable
Posted Jan 10, 2005 at 10:50 AM EST
Head, Dept of Mysteries
Points: 3028
beowulf says:
Unfortunately people will fall for this type of thing. Typically, it is a kid who is innocent to these things. It does not surprise me, nor will I be surprised when other scams come out. Next thing you know, someone will sell 'extra' or 'walk-on' roles to future filming for only $100 each...
Beowulf
Posted Jan 10, 2005 at 10:55 AM EST
Belladonna
Points: 5373
Kaliedra says:
I think its a sad state this world is coming to. People preying on unsuspecting people like this. I'm sure they did get people with this, I only hope they're able to get retribution for it. I know alot of people are now getting those debit visa cards that work from the checking account and there's no fraud protection on alot of those unlike a credit card. Glad to hear this was caught before it got too out of control.
Posted Jan 10, 2005 at 10:58 AM EST
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