5 Ways To Make Money That Sound Illegal But Aren't

The Gray Area Always Makes The Most Money

Some of the best money making opportunities lie in the gray area between right and wrong.

But as long as it isn’t illegal, who cares right?

Here are 5 nearly illegal ways to make money if you don’t mind abandoning your moral compass for cash.

1. Printing Money with Crypto Farming

The idea of “printing money” may sound illegal, but in the world of crypto farming, it’s a legitimate and highly profitable opportunity.

By either mining cryptocurrencies or staking them, you can earn passive income by supporting blockchain networks.

Crypto mining involves using hardware like ASIC miners or GPUs to solve complex algorithms that validate transactions. Successful miners earn rewards in cryptocurrency.

In other words, you have a big warehouse full of super computers that solve crypto equations and reward you with cryptocurrency.

Get enough of these running passively, and it’s basically the same as printing money.

The only downside is the big startup cost for the highly advanced equipment.

• Earnings Potential: Mining can generate $1,000–$3,000 monthly for small setups and upwards of $50,000 per month for large-scale operations. Staking rewards typically yield 5%–20% annually, making $5,000–$20,000 in returns from a $100,000 stake.

Alternatively, staking allows you to hold and lock specific cryptocurrencies to secure the network and earn rewards without the energy demands of mining.

For both methods, focus on cryptocurrencies with proven stability and use platforms like Binance or Kraken for secure staking or reputable mining pools.

2. Premium Ticket Scalping

Ticket scalping might sound shady, but when done legally, it’s a high-demand business.

By buying tickets at face value for popular events and reselling them at a markup, you can make significant profits.

The key is securing VIP experiences and premium seating because they have the highest resale margins.

Start by purchasing tickets through presales or general on-sale dates for events with limited seating and high demand. Platforms like StubHub and SeatGeek make it easy to resell legally, especially closer to event dates when prices peak.

• Earnings Potential: Profit from one event can range from $1,000–$5,000. Full-time scalpers can earn $10,000–$50,000 monthly during peak seasons by handling multiple events.

One thing to be careful about: always ensure your transactions comply with local ticket resale laws.

3. Being a Domain Troll

Domain flipping, also called being a “domain troll,” involves buying and reselling website domain names for a profit.

It’s entirely legal and can be extremely lucrative with the right strategy.

Identify expiring or undervalued domains using platforms like GoDaddy Auctions or Namecheap. Domains tied to emerging trends or industries, like AI, renewable energy, or sustainability, are especially valuable. Use platforms like Flippa or Sedo to list and sell your domains.

• Earnings Potential: Domains can sell for $2,000–$50,000, with some rare names going for six or seven figures. Consistent flippers can earn $100,000–$500,000 annually.

Success comes from anticipating trends and investing in domains that startups and businesses will need in the near future.

4. Cold Calling Real Estate Agents for Digital Marketing Services

Got digital marketing skills? Then sell them to real estate agents. There are millions of them who need leads.

Real estate agents constantly compete for visibility, but many lack the skills or time to optimize their digital presence. This creates a lucrative opportunity for you to sell digital marketing services.

Start by finding real estate agents through local magazines, online ads, or social media, where they ALWAYS list their contact information.

Cold-call hundreds of these agents offering a free audit of their current online presence.

Highlight areas for improvement, such as outdated websites, inactive social media profiles, or poorly performing ads.

Then, pitch a marketing package tailored to their needs, which could include social media content, paid ad campaigns, or SEO optimization.

• Earnings Potential: Monthly fees range from $500–$2,000 per agent per month.

Focus on providing measurable results, such as more leads or improved ad performance, to retain clients long-term.

5. Create Your Own Academy or Certification

Becoming an expert doesn’t always require someone else’s approval.

By creating your own academy or certification, you can brand yourself as a thought leader in any niche and charge for courses or certifications.

Develop a proprietary method or curriculum based on your expertise, whether it’s fitness, productivity, or digital marketing.

Use professional branding, including a logo, website, and marketing materials, to position your academy as authoritative. Platforms like Teachable or Kajabi make it easy to host and sell courses.

And don’t forget to also “fluff the resume”.

Did you take psychology 101 in college? You have “extensive experience in human psychology and behavior”.

Did you train a friends at the gym? Then you’ve “created tailored solutions for various clients based on their unique training goals”.

People have built successful consulting and coaching businesses on way less before.

• Earnings Potential: Online courses can sell for $500–$2,000 each, while certifications or advanced training programs can command $1,000–$5,000. A well-established academy can generate $20,000–$100,000 monthly.

Niche down to a specific audience for higher success rates. People value specialized solutions, so your program should address a clear problem or skill gap.

The BMM Takeaway

These five methods might raise some eyebrows, but they’re entirely legal and highly profitable.

From farming crypto to selling certifications, these strategies allow you to build wealth by tapping into high-demand opportunities.

With focus, strategy, and execution, each of these can turn into a lucrative venture that pays far more than a traditional 9-to-5.