{"id":283566,"date":"2021-06-25T08:50:04","date_gmt":"2021-06-25T05:50:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/just-how-bad-is-it-to-have-fake-startup-employees\/"},"modified":"2021-06-25T08:50:04","modified_gmt":"2021-06-25T05:50:04","slug":"just-how-bad-is-it-to-have-fake-startup-employees","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/just-how-bad-is-it-to-have-fake-startup-employees\/","title":{"rendered":"#Just how bad is it to have fake startup employees?"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_85 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3e0068c232c\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #dd3333;color:#dd3333\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a3e0068c232c\" checked aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/just-how-bad-is-it-to-have-fake-startup-employees\/#Kill_your_darlings_bury_your_spokesperson\" >Kill your darlings, bury your spokesperson<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/just-how-bad-is-it-to-have-fake-startup-employees\/#So%E2%80%A6_is_having_a_Simon_reaaalllyy_baaaad\" >So\u2026 is having a Simon reaaalllyy baaaad?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/just-how-bad-is-it-to-have-fake-startup-employees\/#But_is_it_illegal\" >But is it illegal?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/just-how-bad-is-it-to-have-fake-startup-employees\/#So_if_it_isnt_illegal_should_I_do_it\" >So if it isn\u2019t illegal, should I do it?<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/just-how-bad-is-it-to-have-fake-startup-employees\/#What_did_Blade_learn\" >What did Blade learn?<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<p>&#8220;<strong>#Just how bad is it to have fake startup employees?<\/strong>&#8221;<\/p>\n<div>Last week on Growth Quarters we asked, do you really need a sales team to scale? This week we\u2019re asking\u2026 do you even need real employees?<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/download-scripts-themes-apps\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"9\" title=\"Download Scripts &amp; Themes &amp; Apps\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">App<\/a>-based helicopter and charter flight booking platform, Blade Air Mobility says: nope.<\/p>\n<p>After performing a pointless catch-me-if-you-can exercise with reporters from Business Insider, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/blade-helicopter-had-fake-spokesperson-2021-6?r=US&amp;IR=T\">last week the company finally admitted<\/a> its spokesperson of three years, Simon McLaren, didn\u2019t exist.<\/p>\n<p>The \u201cjaded New Yorker, raconteur, college dropout writer, and student of highly driven narcissists\u201d (as his <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/social-mediaa\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"1\" title=\"Social Media\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Twitter<\/a> bio once read) was completely made up by Blade\u2019s team.<\/p>\n<p>According to CEO Rob Wiesenthal, \u201cThere was no intention of being duplicitous. A lot of people wanted a name for a spokesman, and it was just not appropriate for a CEO to speak.\u201d<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">\u201cThere was no intention of being duplicitous,\u201d says the CEO who created a fake spokesman and played him for three years in phone calls with reporters <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/XA3l4B1NS1\">https:\/\/t.co\/XA3l4B1NS1<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Casey Newton (@CaseyNewton) <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/CaseyNewton\/status\/1405554571523416066?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 17, 2021<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>\u2018Simon McLaren\u2019 does pose some uncomfortable questions for startups sitting on their own graveyard of fake employee skeletons. Is it illegal? Morally reprehensible? Or a legit growth hack?<\/p>\n<p>Well, Blade\u2019s story does contain some lessons, but mostly it\u2019s just hilarious,\u00a0<span>so let\u2019s quickly go over it before digging deeper into existential conundrums for startups.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Kill_your_darlings_bury_your_spokesperson\"><\/span><strong>Kill your darlings, bury your spokesperson<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>During his time as Blade\u2019s Director of Communications, \u2018Simon\u2019 catfished reporters from a number of publications including the New York Times, the Washington Post, Fox Business, CNN, and Vanity Fair.<\/p>\n<p>He even had his own blog on Medium titled \u2018Simon McLaren\u2019s Curious Content\u2019 where he shared his thoughts on pandemic life, the trials and tribulations of video conferencing, his choice dining locations in NYC, and the pros and cons of relocating to Miami (via Blade copter no doubt).<\/p>\n<p>By January 2021, the company must have realized things had gotten out of hand. They were about to go public with a valuation of more than $800 million, meaning it was time to put their big boy pants on and hire a real PR firm to handle their communications.<\/p>\n<p>But, instead of letting Simon go quietly into the night, Blade orchestrated a dramatic exit from the company and even <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.businessinsider.com\/blade-helicopter-had-fake-spokesperson-2021-6?r=US&amp;IR=T\">published an official company statement<\/a>:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>We are living in a uniquely polarizing time. As such, despite how much we enjoy Simon McLaren\u2019s Curious Content and his unique perspective on what it\u2019s like to be a diehard New Yorker in this day and age, both Simon and the Company have decided that it\u2019s best that we part ways and transition his weekly <a href=\"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/category\/news\/\" data-internallinksmanager029f6b8e52c=\"2\" title=\"News\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">news<\/a>letter from Blade to him.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>But the opinionated Simon would have <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sfgate.com\/tech\/article\/blade-helicopter-fake-spokesperson-pr-ceo-16255693.php\">the last word<\/a>.<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>My weekly dispatches have little interest to me or my readers unless they create emotion \u2014 laughter or perhaps annoyance, and at times, happiness or even unexpected animus. I appreciate the platform Blade has given me, but I am at the point in my life where I have little interest in Blade, or its partners, bleaching my prose in an effort to avoid any readers potentially being triggered by my views. Over the past few weeks, Blade\u2019s editing process has created the literary equivalent of melba toast. Simply put, my views are not subject to negotiation.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"giphy-embed\" src=\"https:\/\/giphy.com\/embed\/NQhZRrDaUuVYOpg6GI\" width=\"480\" height=\"280\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Unfortunately for Blade, even after giving Simon one of the most dramatic send offs a fake employee has ever had, he resurfaced yet again when a journalist from Business Insider called his cell to ask a few questions.<\/p>\n<p>The journalist happened to be Gabrielle Bluestone, executive producer of Netflix documentary <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=uZ0KNVU2fV0\"><em>Fyre: the Greatest Party that Never Happened<\/em><\/a> and author of <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/Hype-Scammers-Grifters-Internet_and-Following\/dp\/133501649X\"><em>Hype: How Scammers, Grifters, Con Artists and Influencers Are Taking Over the Internet \u2013 and Why We\u2019re Following<\/em><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Shit.<\/p>\n<p>Lee Gold, Blade\u2019s chief of staff, assured Bluestone that, although Simon wasn\u2019t with the company anymore, he might be able to put her in touch with him, \u201che sometimes will do some freelancing for us as a spokesperson.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>After several further attempts to reach Simon (including having her number blocked), CEO Wiesenthal eventually came clean.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"So%E2%80%A6_is_having_a_Simon_reaaalllyy_baaaad\"><\/span>So\u2026 is having a Simon reaaalllyy baaaad?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>At this point, some of you might be breaking a sweat.<\/p>\n<p>In his apology, Blade\u2019s CEO\u00a0<span>didn\u2019t fail to point out that it\u2019s not uncommon for a growing startup to do this:<\/span><\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>As a small company, everyone has to wear many hats. When it was appropriate for a spokesman to respond to a press inquiry, rather than the CEO, given that we did not have a spokesman, we used the pseudonym.<\/p>\n<p>There are a lot of small companies that have done this and continue to do this, but at a certain point you outgrow it, and we outgrew it.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span>And the thing is, we all know he isn\u2019t wrong. Loads of people have chimed in on Twitter with all too familiar accounts of early stage startup \u2018growth hacks\u2019 (AKA deception).<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/AndyBeard\/status\/1405555931811831814?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1405555931811831814%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpublish.twitter.com%2F%3Fquery%3Dhttps3A2F2Ftwitter.com2FAndyBeard2Fstatus2F1405555931811831814widget%3DTweet\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1357879 size-full js-lazy\" alt=\"Twitter comment from someone who worked with a fake startup employee\" width=\"607\" height=\"221\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 607px) 100vw, 607px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-11.09.14-AM.png\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-11.09.14-AM.png 607w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-11.09.14-AM-280x102.png 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-11.09.14-AM-540x197.png 540w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-11.09.14-AM-270x98.png 270w\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1357879 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-11.09.14-AM.png\" alt=\"Twitter comment from someone who worked with a fake startup employee\" width=\"607\" height=\"221\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-11.09.14-AM.png 607w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-11.09.14-AM-280x102.png 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-11.09.14-AM-540x197.png 540w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-11.09.14-AM-270x98.png 270w\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/louisgray\/status\/1405555846805819394?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1405555846805819394%7Ctwgr%5E%7Ctwcon%5Es1_c10&amp;ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fpublish.twitter.com%2F%3Fquery%3Dhttps3A2F2Ftwitter.com2Flouisgray2Fstatus2F1405555846805819394widget%3DTweet\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1357880 size-full js-lazy\" alt=\"Twitter post from someone who worked with a fake startup employee\" width=\"605\" height=\"198\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 605px) 100vw, 605px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-11.10.35-AM.png\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-11.10.35-AM.png 605w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-11.10.35-AM-280x92.png 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-11.10.35-AM-540x177.png 540w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-11.10.35-AM-270x88.png 270w\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1357880 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-11.10.35-AM.png\" alt=\"Twitter post from someone who worked with a fake startup employee\" width=\"605\" height=\"198\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-11.10.35-AM.png 605w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-11.10.35-AM-280x92.png 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-11.10.35-AM-540x177.png 540w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-11.10.35-AM-270x88.png 270w\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/BradleyRoss\/status\/1405709208046211072\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1357881 size-full js-lazy\" alt=\"Twitter post from someone who worked with a fake startup employee\" width=\"607\" height=\"177\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 607px) 100vw, 607px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-11.10.42-AM.png\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-11.10.42-AM.png 607w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-11.10.42-AM-280x82.png 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-11.10.42-AM-540x157.png 540w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-11.10.42-AM-270x79.png 270w\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1357881 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-11.10.42-AM.png\" alt=\"Twitter post from someone who worked with a fake startup employee\" width=\"607\" height=\"177\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-11.10.42-AM.png 607w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-11.10.42-AM-280x82.png 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-11.10.42-AM-540x157.png 540w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-11.10.42-AM-270x79.png 270w\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"But_is_it_illegal\"><\/span>But is it illegal?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span>What\u2019s interesting is that the legality of this sort of subterfuge has been on founders\u2019 minds since long before the Blade fiasco\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span class=\"c-mrkdwn__br\" data-stringify-type=\"paragraph-break\"\/><span>You can find loads of people asking \u2014 usually anonymously \u2014 on places like Quora whether it\u2019s\u00a0<\/span><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"c-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quora.com\/Is-it-illegal-to-add-fake-people-to-your-companys-Team-page\" data-stringify-link=\"https:\/\/www.quora.com\/Is-it-illegal-to-add-fake-people-to-your-companys-Team-page\" data-sk=\"tooltip_parent\">illegal to add fake people to your company\u2019s Team page<\/a><span>?<\/span><\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1357882 size-full js-lazy\" alt=\"Post by startup advisor on Quora\" width=\"623\" height=\"516\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 623px) 100vw, 623px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-23-at-9.12.11-AM.png\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-23-at-9.12.11-AM.png 623w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-23-at-9.12.11-AM-254x210.png 254w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-23-at-9.12.11-AM-326x270.png 326w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-23-at-9.12.11-AM-163x135.png 163w\"\/><figcaption><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/#\" data-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Feditorial.thenextweb.com%2Fgrowth-quarters%2F2021%2F06%2F25%2Fis-having-fake-employees-bad%2F&amp;via=thenextweb&amp;related=thenextweb&amp;text=Check out this picture on: You (probably) won\u2019t get arrested :)\" data-title=\"Share You (probably) won\u2019t get arrested :) on Twitter\" data-width=\"685\" data-height=\"500\" class=\"post-image-share popitup\" title=\"Share You (probably) won\u2019t get arrested :) on Twitter\"><i class=\"icon icon--inline icon--twitter--dark\"\/><\/a>You (probably) won\u2019t get arrested \ud83d\ude42<\/figcaption><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1357882 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-23-at-9.12.11-AM.png\" alt=\"Post by startup advisor on Quora\" width=\"623\" height=\"516\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-23-at-9.12.11-AM.png 623w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-23-at-9.12.11-AM-254x210.png 254w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-23-at-9.12.11-AM-326x270.png 326w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-23-at-9.12.11-AM-163x135.png 163w\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p>Another thread on legal advice website Avvo asked, \u201c<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.avvo.com\/legal-answers\/can-i-make-fake-employees-on-my-business-website--3092816.html\">Can I make fake employees on my business website?<\/a>\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1357883 size-full js-lazy\" alt=\"Post by lawyer on Avvo\" width=\"760\" height=\"292\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 760px) 100vw, 760px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-23-at-9.31.55-AM.png\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-23-at-9.31.55-AM.png 760w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-23-at-9.31.55-AM-280x108.png 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-23-at-9.31.55-AM-540x207.png 540w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-23-at-9.31.55-AM-270x104.png 270w\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1357883 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-23-at-9.31.55-AM.png\" alt=\"Post by lawyer on Avvo\" width=\"760\" height=\"292\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-23-at-9.31.55-AM.png 760w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-23-at-9.31.55-AM-280x108.png 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-23-at-9.31.55-AM-540x207.png 540w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-23-at-9.31.55-AM-270x104.png 270w\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1357884 size-full js-lazy\" alt=\"Post by lawyer on Avvo\" width=\"766\" height=\"241\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 766px) 100vw, 766px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-23-at-9.32.07-AM.png\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-23-at-9.32.07-AM.png 766w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-23-at-9.32.07-AM-280x88.png 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-23-at-9.32.07-AM-540x170.png 540w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-23-at-9.32.07-AM-270x85.png 270w\"\/><figcaption><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/#\" data-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Feditorial.thenextweb.com%2Fgrowth-quarters%2F2021%2F06%2F25%2Fis-having-fake-employees-bad%2F&amp;via=thenextweb&amp;related=thenextweb&amp;text=Check out this picture on: Said the sassiest lawyer ever &lt;3\" data-title=\"Share Said the sassiest lawyer ever &lt;3 on Twitter\" data-width=\"685\" data-height=\"500\" class=\"post-image-share popitup\" title=\"Share Said the sassiest lawyer ever &lt;3 on Twitter\"><i class=\"icon icon--inline icon--twitter--dark\"\/><\/a>Said the sassiest lawyer ever &lt;3<\/figcaption><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1357884 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-23-at-9.32.07-AM.png\" alt=\"Post by lawyer on Avvo\" width=\"766\" height=\"241\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-23-at-9.32.07-AM.png 766w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-23-at-9.32.07-AM-280x88.png 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-23-at-9.32.07-AM-540x170.png 540w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-23-at-9.32.07-AM-270x85.png 270w\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p>Overall, it seems if you\u2019re adding fake employees to your website to raise funding or to sell their services to customers, it could be illegal.<\/p>\n<p>However, Simon\u2019s case is a bit of a gray area. According to Wiesenthal, the character was simply used to provide one consistent mouthpiece for the company. And he assured the public that, despite using a fake name and profile, everything Simon shared about the company was true.<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"So_if_it_isnt_illegal_should_I_do_it\"><\/span>So if it isn\u2019t illegal, should I do it?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>When it comes to gray areas,\u00a0<span>one rule of thumb I like to use is to ask<\/span>: did Trump do it? If yes, it\u2019s probably wrong.<\/p>\n<p>And, in fact, in 1984 a young Trump got into Forbes 400 with help from his trusted official, John Barron (AKA Trump), <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.newyorker.com\/news\/our-columnists\/trumps-history-of-lying-from-john-barron-to-realdonaldtrump\">who very generously overestimated his net worth<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAlthough Trump altered some cadences and affected a slightly stronger New York accent, it was clearly him,\u201d said Forbes researcher, <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.newyorker.com\/news\/our-columnists\/trumps-history-of-lying-from-john-barron-to-realdonaldtrump\">Jonathan Greenberg<\/a> who clearly wasn\u2019t amused by Trump\u2019s attempts to fake an accent on the phone.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed aligncenter\"><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/barronjohn1946\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1357885 size-full js-lazy\" alt=\"Screenshot of parody Twitter page for 'John Barron'\" width=\"679\" height=\"352\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 679px) 100vw, 679px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-12.09.35-PM.png\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-12.09.35-PM.png 679w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-12.09.35-PM-280x145.png 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-12.09.35-PM-521x270.png 521w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-12.09.35-PM-260x135.png 260w\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-1357885 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-12.09.35-PM.png\" alt=\"Screenshot of parody Twitter page for 'John Barron'\" width=\"679\" height=\"352\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-12.09.35-PM.png 679w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-12.09.35-PM-280x145.png 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-12.09.35-PM-521x270.png 521w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-12.09.35-PM-260x135.png 260w\"\/><\/noscript><\/a><figcaption><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/#\" data-url=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Feditorial.thenextweb.com%2Fgrowth-quarters%2F2021%2F06%2F25%2Fis-having-fake-employees-bad%2F&amp;via=thenextweb&amp;related=thenextweb&amp;text=Check out this picture on: This beautiful homage to Trump\u2019s alter ego popped up on Twitter following his ousting from the channel. Also, he named his youngest son Barron\u2026 that\u2019s pretty weird.\" data-title=\"Share This beautiful homage to Trump\u2019s alter ego popped up on Twitter following his ousting from the channel. Also, he named his youngest son Barron\u2026 that\u2019s pretty weird. on Twitter\" data-width=\"685\" data-height=\"500\" class=\"post-image-share popitup\" title=\"Share This beautiful homage to Trump\u2019s alter ego popped up on Twitter following his ousting from the channel. Also, he named his youngest son Barron\u2026 that\u2019s pretty weird. on Twitter\"><i class=\"icon icon--inline icon--twitter--dark\"\/><\/a>This beautiful homage to Trump\u2019s alter ego popped up on Twitter following his ousting from the channel. Also, he named his youngest son Barron\u2026 that\u2019s pretty weird.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Moral of the story, is it illegal? Depends on why you\u2019re doing it. Is it sleazy? Yesss.<\/p>\n<p>So if you have a Simon, it\u2019s time to kick them to the curb (quietly).<\/p>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"What_did_Blade_learn\"><\/span>What did Blade learn?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>Probably not much. It turns out their stock market price actually <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sfgate.com\/tech\/article\/blade-helicopter-fake-spokesperson-pr-ceo-16255693.php\">went up by 2%<\/a> after the news broke. And, let\u2019s face it, their clientele, New York elites looking to helicopter from the city to their summer residence in the Hamptons, probably don\u2019t care.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\">\n<p dir=\"ltr\" lang=\"en\">When pressed for comment, CEO Blade had this to say\u2026 <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/BLrXmtxJuq\">pic.twitter.com\/BLrXmtxJuq<\/a><\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Jeff Glucker (@HooniverseJeff) <a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/HooniverseJeff\/status\/1405543696364294149?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\">June 17, 2021<\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>\u2026so maybe it is a \u2018growth hack\u2019?<\/p>\n<p>I wouldn\u2019t count on it. If you have customers who do care, you (probably) have a problem on your hands if they find out. On\u00a0<a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quora.com\/Is-it-illegal-to-add-fake-people-to-your-companys-Team-page\">Quora<\/a>, this entrepreneur got straight to the point:<\/p>\n<p><a rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\" href=\"https:\/\/www.quora.com\/Is-it-illegal-to-add-fake-people-to-your-companys-Team-page\"><\/p>\n<figure class=\"post-image post-mediaBleed alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1357878 size-full js-lazy\" alt=\"Post by entrepreneur on Quora\" width=\"618\" height=\"241\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 618px) 100vw, 618px\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-4.40.25-PM.png\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-4.40.25-PM.png 618w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-4.40.25-PM-280x109.png 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-4.40.25-PM-540x211.png 540w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-4.40.25-PM-270x105.png 270w\"\/><noscript><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-1357878 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-4.40.25-PM.png\" alt=\"Post by entrepreneur on Quora\" width=\"618\" height=\"241\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-4.40.25-PM.png 618w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-4.40.25-PM-280x109.png 280w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-4.40.25-PM-540x211.png 540w, https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/Screenshot-2021-06-22-at-4.40.25-PM-270x105.png 270w\"\/><\/noscript><\/figure>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<p>So basically, \u2018Simons\u2019 shouldn\u2019t exist because\u2026 they don\u2019t. But if\u00a0Simon was real, he\u2019d no doubt be piloting his stolen Blade copter into the sunset while savoring his revenge.<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" class=\"giphy-embed\" src=\"https:\/\/giphy.com\/embed\/IYAntiG1tnoli\" width=\"480\" height=\"400\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><script async src=\"\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n<blockquote><p><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6600;\">If you liked the article, do not forget to share it with your friends. Follow us on\u00a0<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/news.google.com\/publications\/CAAqBwgKMLG0nwswvr63Aw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Google News<\/a><\/span>\u00a0too, click on the star and choose us from your favorites.<\/span><\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\">For forums sites go to <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/forum.buradabiliyorum.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Forum.BuradaBiliyorum.Com<\/a><\/span><\/strong>\n<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><strong>If you want to read more like this article, you can visit our <span style=\"color: #ff9900;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/en.buradabiliyorum.com\/technology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Technology category.<\/a><\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p><span style=\"color: black;\"><a style=\"color: #ff9900;\" href=\"https:\/\/thenextweb.com\/news\/is-having-fake-employees-bad\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;#Just how bad is it to have fake startup employees?&#8221; Last week on Growth Quarters we asked, do you really need a sales team to scale? This week we\u2019re asking\u2026 do you even need real employees? App-based helicopter and charter flight booking platform, Blade Air Mobility says: nope. After performing a pointless catch-me-if-you-can exercise with&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":283567,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/img-cdn.tnwcdn.com\/image\/growth-quarters?filter_last=1&fit=1280,640&url=https:\/\/cdn0.tnwcdn.com\/wp-content\/blogs.dir\/1\/files\/2021\/06\/fake-employees-startup-gq.jpg&signature=21e9ddd69801cd341d13cfbbc91ddc7c","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-283566","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-technology"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/283566","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=283566"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/283566\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/283567"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=283566"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=283566"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/buradabiliyorum.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=283566"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}