The social web’s black market

A sample of recent Twitter-related eBay offerings

The social web is white-hot and a bizarre thriving after-market is developing for ready-made social properties. For example, A recent New York Times article describes a brisk trade in stolen Facebook accounts:

During several weeks in February, iDefense tracked an effort to sell log-in data for 1.5 million Facebook accounts on several online criminal marketplaces, including one called Carder.su.

That hacker, who used the screen name “kirllos” and appears to deal only in Facebook accounts, offered to sell bundles of 1,000 accounts with 10 or fewer friends for $25 and with more than 10 friends for $45, says Rick Howard, iDefense’s director of cyber intelligence.

The case points to a significant expansion in the illicit market for social networking accounts from Eastern Europe to the United States, he said.

In addition, you can also buy pre-populated Facebook pages on eBay. A recent listing showed one page with 3,000 friends was going for $300.

It’s now common to auction off the ability to tweet or post to accounts with 20,000 or more followers.  And you can buy viewers for your YouTube channel or an entire pre-populated Twitter account.

Sheeesh.  What’s next?

While these services might seem a little slimey, we could foresee some legitimate business opportunities by building out, and then selling web properties. For example, some of the LinkedIn groups have become extremely dynamic, interesting properties with thousands of high-profile members. Most of these groups were started by individuals. Could we see a day when some of the groups are sold and transferred to a new owner or sponsor?

While squatting on a Facebook name is no less distinguished than holding a company’s URL hostage, there could be sound business opportunities through select community-building. For example, could you build legitimate Facebook pages that serve community groups or neighborhoods and then eventually make those sites available to businesses or realtors?  Since real work would have to go into building the site and maintaining its usefulness, this seems like an ethical proposition that could benefit all sides. Besides, if the “friends” didn’t like the new owners they could leave.

So while we’re likely to see even more black-market deals out there, keep your eye out for new business models that can deliver true business value.

What are some of the strange things you’re seeing out there? Any ideas for a valid new business model?