Industry Warnings

The Rise of AI Bot Farm Scams: How to Spot Fake Tech Experts

By Jeff Wray

There's a disturbing trend in the tech industry: yesterday's failed salesmen are today's "AI experts." They rebrand faster than a chameleon changes colors, always chasing the next buzzword to exploit.

The Serial "King" Pattern

Watch for this pattern: Someone who was the "Solar King" in 2022 becomes the "Lead King" in 2023, then suddenly transforms into the "AI King" in 2024. Same person, same lack of expertise, just a new crown.

🚨 Red Flags to Watch For:

  • Serial rebranding: "Solar Marketing Expert" → "Lead Generation Guru" → "AI Bot Specialist"
  • Claims of building "1,000+ AI bots" with zero coding background or technical education
  • Operating from strip malls in Wesley Chapel, Florida while claiming enterprise expertise
  • Former military or insurance salespeople suddenly becoming "AI experts" overnight
  • Mock legitimate compliance concerns - calling you a "little woman" for caring about TCPA
  • White-label platforms (GoHighLevel, ClickFunnels) sold as "custom AI solutions"
  • Promise unrealistic results: "$0 to $10K in 90 days guaranteed"

The TCPA Compliance Test

Here's a simple test: Ask any "AI bot expert" about TCPA compliance for automated messaging. Real professionals will discuss consent requirements, opt-out procedures, and regulatory risks. Scammers will dismiss it as unnecessary worry or, worse, mock you for being cautious.

I've personally been called a "little woman" for raising TCPA compliance concerns. This from someone claiming to be an AI expert who doesn't understand basic telecommunications law. That's not expertise - that's dangerous ignorance that could cost your business millions in fines.

The White-Label Shell Game

These "experts" don't build technology - they resell it. Their "revolutionary AI bot system" is usually:

  • A basic GoHighLevel automation template
  • Simple Zapier workflows marketed as "AI"
  • ChatGPT API calls wrapped in a pretty interface
  • n8n workflows they discovered last month

They charge $5,000+ for what takes 30 minutes to set up, targeting businesses that don't know better.

Real AI Expertise vs. Snake Oil

What Real AI Professionals Have:

  • Computer Science or Engineering degrees - not just military service
  • Actual coding ability - can build, not just configure
  • Understanding of ML/AI fundamentals - beyond ChatGPT prompts
  • Compliance knowledge - TCPA, GDPR, data privacy laws
  • Verifiable project history - real systems in production
  • Technical depth - can explain how things actually work

How to Protect Yourself

  1. Check their history: Use Wayback Machine to see their website from 2 years ago. Were they the "Solar King" then?
  2. Ask technical questions: Real experts can explain technical concepts clearly
  3. Demand references: Not testimonials - actual clients you can call
  4. Test their compliance knowledge: If they dismiss TCPA/GDPR, run
  5. Look for education: Real tech experts have relevant degrees or decades of experience
  6. Avoid the "Kings": Legitimate professionals don't need cartoon crowns

The Bottom Line

When someone goes from "Solar King" to "Lead King" to "AI King" in 3 years, they're not an expert in anything except rebranding. Real expertise takes years to build, not a weekend certification course.

A Personal Note

I've been in technology for over 15 years. I have an MBA and a Computer Science degree from Stetson University. I've built real systems that serve real businesses. And yes, I take TCPA compliance seriously because I've seen the devastating fines that come from ignoring it.

If someone mocks you for caring about compliance, for asking tough questions, or for demanding real expertise - that tells you everything you need to know about their professionalism.

Don't let the serial rebranders and white-label resellers fool you. Your business deserves real expertise, not yesterday's solar salesman with a new business card.

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