The world's premier anti internet scam, anti fraud information blog
The world's premier anti internet scam, anti fraud information blog
When I have extra time, I occasionally engage in scambaiting, that is, corresponding with an internet scammer and trying to hurt his business. This is a hobby, so naturally I am just as interested as any hobbyist in knowing what is said about my hobby in public. And there is one thing that irks me […]
With bank accounts offering paltry interest rates, alternative investments seem a more attractive, some offering staggering interest rates and potential. The latest exotic investment being offered is to invest in Graphene. What is it, and should you join the rush? Graphene is carbon. That’s it. It sounds exotic, it’s ‘new’ (well, it’s as old as […]
EPILOGUE: BACK IN THE REALITY In this series of articles we have covered in eight steps how a typical advance fee fraud works. While there are many different types of scams, many follow this pattern. Not all the scammers use the same steps in the same way, but the pattern and the psychological premises remain […]
STEP 8: RAISE OR FOLD? “I secured the documents BUT now the bank needs you to pay tax for the release.” “I promise this is the LAST FEE.” “Please my friend DON’T GIVE UP now!” The eighth step is what separates long term victims of the headlines from short term victims of whom we rarely […]
STEP 7: SHAME ON YOU! “Why aren’t you DOING YOUR BEST?!” “All you need to do is pay the fee and the documents are released it is VERY SIMPLE!” “I HAVE PAID $2,000 and we still need mere $1,000 from you!” In step 7 the pieces laid on the table by the scammer come together. […]
STEP 6: BROTHERS FOR LIFE “My good BROTHER, please listen to me.” “Dearest SISTER, how are you today?” “My LOVE you should make the payment today.” When dealing with a scammer, you will soon notice that they get intimate very quickly. They start calling you with very strong words like “brother” or “sister”. They may […]
STEP 5: BY THE GRACE OF GOD “Have a nice day and GOD bless you.” “ALLAH willing we will finalize this transaction soon.” “Greetings in JESUS’ name!” If things have gone as planned by the scammer, after step 4 there are no more people around you trying to tell you about the scammer’s true nature […]
STEP 4: TOP SECRET AND CONFIDENTIAL “You should not tell about this to anyone because they will be JEALOUS to you and try to prevent you from getting your money.” “Please understand that this is CONFIDENTIAL AND TOP SECRET information!” “FOLLOW MY INSTRUCTIONS and do not tell about this even to your family.” The scammers […]
STEP 3: MEET THE GANG “My dear friend, you should contact the BARRISTER to have the legal documents released to us.” “The DIPLOMAT will be arriving to your country with the consignment soon”. “Please I can’t communicate with you from the refugee camp you should contact the REVEREND for more information please.” Whether the scammers […]
STEP 2: HURRY UP! “My dear friend, I promise you we shall finalize this transaction in FIVE BUSINESS DAYS!” “Please contact the bank IMMEDIATELY and let them know you are the next of kin!” “Reply to me AS SOON AS you have received this email!” “Do this NOW because otherwise the government may confiscate the […]