ScamBaiting

[Vampiremerchant]

Just came across this thread

http://atheistforums.org/thread-2626-page-1.html

Some of the comments there were very fair it does seem that it cannot be real, well I can assure you that it is real, the person who managed to pull that off is a most respected member of the site, and it is not a case of sending off an email and the scammer rushes off to do these silly things, it takes talent to manage that.

What happens over there is intended to waste the scammers time and resources, after all if they are being kept busy, they have less time to waste on real victims.

I would suggest visiting the site to see what it is that goes on,

http://www.419eater.com

I know this is an old thread so I hope I have not offended anyone by posting this
VM

[Paul the Human]

Hi, Vampiremerchant, welcome to AF. I'm sure no one is offended about you bringing up an old subject, but the rules say that you should introduce yourself (at least) before posting links. This is to prevent the forums being used for free blog advertising and the like, as I'm sure you understand.

That being said, I think that scam baiting is hilarious.

[Tiberius]

"I can assure you that it is real, the person who managed to pull that off is a most respected member of the site."

All the more reason I don't believe it's real. If he's that respected, people are going to believe him. If he knows this, he can do anything he likes and know that his reputation will be safe. Bottom line: there is no proof that any of the stuff he posted actually happened, and anecdotal evidence should be viewed with more skepticism, especially online.

[Jaysyn]

Never underestimate what ignorant, crooked or desperate people will do for money.

[Vampiremerchant]

Sorry if I have made a balls-up the link is not intended as free advertising.
It was mean't as a way for people to get to the site and see what it is all about before knocking it.

Bottom line: there is no proof that any of the stuff he posted actually happened, and anecdotal evidence should be viewed with more skepticism, especially online.

Fair point Adrian would you go as far as to say the stories that are in the Press almost daily about victims losing lots of money, and in some cases leading to one man committing Suicide (caught up in a Romance Scam) after losing something like £80,000.

Would you view that with skepticism ?

[Mr Tambourine Man]

It's a reasonable viewpoint. I had doubts over two years ago about some of the published baits. Doubts that were soon dispelled when I tried scambaiting. Pick the right scammer, and there is nothing he won't do if he thinks he's hooked a victim prepared to send him money.
Nobody here doubts that social engineering works, do they?

[Oldandeasilyconfused]

Over the years.I've had four 419/advance fee/Spanish prisoner emails. There were three of the less subtle appeal to greed.

Each time my response was: "Thank you so much for your advance fee fraud email,I really enjoyed it. I've forwarded copies to the Australian Federal Police and INTERPOL for their enjoyment. I'm sure they would like to speak with you"

The other was allegedly from some poor woman who thought I was a Muslim.She claimed to be dying from something disgusting and wanted money. My response was very unkind.


There have been many reports and TV interviews here over the years.l have no reason to doubt their overall veracity. As someone once said "No one ever went broke underestimating public taste or stupidity. "


I consider Facebook a minefield. Although, I have an account,friendship links are by invitation only.

[Tiberius]

Fair point Adrian would you go as far as to say the stories that are in the Press almost daily about victims losing lots of money, and in some cases leading to one man committing Suicide (caught up in a Romance Scam) after losing something like £80,000.

Would you view that with skepticism ?

No, because the press usually publish sources to go with their reports. I've never seen a reputable newspaper (or heck, even a non-reputable one) publish anything on the subject of scam-baiting though. All of it is hearsay; all of it taking place on the internet.

Are there some instances where scam-baiting is real? Very possibly. However, in some instances, like with the comic strip I posted about originally, I think the best explanation is simple fakery.

[Mr Tambourine Man]

I've never seen a reputable newspaper (or heck, even a non-reputable one) publish anything on the subject of scam-baiting though.

Well there's http://technology.timesonline.co.uk/tol/...554909.ece
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3887493.stm and
http://www.canada.com/topics/news/nation...97c399ec76