Immediately following the announcement of Michael Jackson’s sudden death, enterprising individuals began selling memorabilia online to take advantage of the increased demand. The Better Business Bureau warns that the value of most memorabilia and commemorative items being sold is sentimental and the currently inflated prices for many items will drop over time.
According to Smartmoney, before Jackson’s death, sellers listed an average 200 to 400 memorabilia items daily on eBay, but by the morning following his death almost 20,000 Michael Jackson-related items and memorabilia were for sale on the auction Web site. Items included autographs, gloves, posters, newspapers and even a Cheeto which supposedly predicted the death of the pop star.
“Collectibles associated with Michael Jackson are selling at a premium right now and most of these items will not increase in value in the future,” said Doug Broten, president of the BBB. “Following the death of Princess Diana, the market was flooded with mass-produced items commemorating her death including special edition Beanie Babies that at one time sold for more than $100 but are now on garage sale tables for a buck.”
In addition to memorabilia, only eight hours after Jackson's death, an IT security firm identified one spam e-mail message circulating throughout consumers' mailboxes advertising in-depth information about Jackson's death. It said the following:
Vital information after the death of Michael Jackson's I really need some one trusted and secretive to speak with with informations I have in my possession before its too late Kindly reply me and I will immediately respond back, Its for just secret between both of us.
At first glance, the e-mail can look harmless, but it could contain malware which would infect and damage personal computers. The message should be deleted immediately without opening.
Scammers are also looking to score with fraudulent charity appeals. With Jackson's various investments in charities as well as his personal foundation, scam artists may try to fool consumers into donating money to a false charity in hopes of running off with the cash.