What scam is Denis trying to pull?

[danman01]

We've all got the email recently, and I'm wondering...what does someone do with the information he is requesting? Well, a friend was lured into responding to denis. To start, here's the message Denis sent (have you also gotten it?)

From: Denis Alexender <denis.alexender@gmail.com> Subject: Important Connection

Hi there,

Just came across your company website, I work with Investors in various sectors who are open for new Investment opportunities; Wondering if you are looking to raise Capital or if you need access to Mentors / Advisors?

Appreciate if you can connect me with right person in your management & If he/she could drop me quick note with contact info; I would be happy to help

Best Regards, -Denis

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So my friend Michelle replied and said "Yes we are looking for mentors and money, let's keep in touch" or something along those lines.

Denis responded again with:

From: From: Denis Alexender <denis.alexender@gmail.com> Subject: Thank you for connecting

Thank you for connecting & your email is important to me. How ever, I have been swamped lately & my response times are longer than usual.

If your company is raising Capital or looking for Advisors, Faster way to get my attention would be forwarding your pitch deck with 1 page summary.

Best Regards, -Denis

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SO he wants a pitch deck and one page summary. And then what? We didn't take the bait further.

[aviv]

Then he tells you his investors are impressed with your pitch deck, want 10% of your company for $200K and a (fake) cashier check is already on the way. All you have to do is wire Denis a 10% finders fee as soon as possible.

[danman01 → aviv]

Ah, yes this seems the likely path, and then the scammer is back in the familiar waters of a money wire scam.

The other thing I was thinking (this would be too much work on their part though), is Denis is getting a wide variety of business's pitch decks and exec sums, and will host them on a website that charges a membership fee to view the next big idea's plans or something along those lines.

[sherm8n]

Maybe Denis is a really nice guy who just wants to help startups out. With the pitch deck he can help summarize your company to show to his network of investors/advisors.

Or he's looking to screw you over. Who knows? The internetz is a crazy place.

[danman01 → sherm8n]

True dat. First rule of the internet, "Don't click it!"

[slater]

First guess, s/he's trying to steal your idea. Heck, if you've gotten as far as considering raising capital, your product must have legs.

[pizza]

Ask for proof first.