4 ms·

I did this with some 419 scammers, and led them on a merry chase. I documented it in a private web forum, which entertained my friends for weeks. I had create

by RajT88 4y ago

I did this with some 419 scammers, and led them on a merry chase. I documented it in a private web forum, which entertained my friends for weeks. I had created this persona which was just too good to be true: A bank manager who was getting ready to run off with his mistress, and trying to secure a future for themselves with a quick payout. This fake persona was a total maniac. At the end, the scammers were super pissed. Sending angry emails, fighting amongst themselves. Eventually convinced them to admit to being scammers. I look back fondly on the experience.

nobody9999 4y ago
>I did this with some 419 scammers, and led them on a merry chase. I documented it in a private web forum, which entertained my friends for weeks. It's a bit dated now, but 419eater[0] is a public forum that did the same. If you enjoyed your own, I expect you'll like this too. I did the same a few times myself, but got bored after a while. I never did get anyone to send a photo of themselves with underwear on their head (as others on 419eater did), but it was amusing for a while. [0] https://www.419eater.com/ https://www.419eater.com/
- gs17 4y ago
  419eater is still going (albeit a little slower since the forums switched), no need for past tense. I still get that sort of scam by the boatload to my email.
- hackernewds 4y ago
  Possible they're the same story?
  - nobody9999 4y ago
    >Possible they're the same story? Sure it's possible. Although GP said[0] it was a private forum. 419eater.com is, and has been for many years, an open forum. Perhaps GP could clarify? [0] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31952752 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31952752
  - RajT88 4y ago
    I have no connection to that site. Indeed, I was aware of it before my merry chase I led the scammers on, which was 2008 when I did it. It was certainly an inspiration. My private forum is long dead, and to be completely honest, I think the 419eaters did a much better job. That is subjective, but for sure they invested a lot more time in it. I would post my exploits publicly, lightly anonymized, but I was in my 20's when I did it. I look back at it, and feel like the sort of long-con thinking and sheer sneakiness and meanness of how I reversed the con back at them is just not a good look. I wouldn't do it again now. Maybe some folks understand what I mean by that? I don't want to be a shady dude, even in pursuit of some weird form of justice.
tornato7 4y ago
Some years ago I was selling an expensive aquarium on Craigslist, a scammer ‘paid’ me with a fake PayPal payment before asking to come pick it up. So I convinced him that I was the manager of a Red Lobster restaurant and it was an old lobster tank that we were selling. I told him to show up during business hours and tell the manager he’s there to pick up the lobster tank. The next day I got some ‘on my way’ texts and then soon after a bunch of swearing at me. Good times.
- hyperdimension 4y ago
  How did you know the PayPal payment was fake? Was it an edited screenshot, or did they actually spoof a 'you received money' email from PayPal? I ask just on the off-chance that you got a seeming-real email from the real PayPal, and I'd like to know what to look for if so.
  - benrapscallion 4y ago
    I believe this scam works by then reversing (withdrawal) of the PayPal funds.
    - hyperdimension 4y ago
      Thanks. So I guess they send the money with the "goods and services" type instead of "friends and family" ? I wonder if that's (very) visible in the 'you received a payment' email. I never looked before.
  - tornato7 4y ago
    It was a fake ‘you received money’ email.
- londons_explore 4y ago
  Actual scammers tend to not pick up the actual goods. It's hard to turn a profit by reselling an expensive aquarium tank that's probably pretty unique and they don't come up for sale frequently. I suspect you fleeced a real buyer

by RajT88 4y ago

nobody9999 4y ago

>I did this with some 419 scammers, and led them on a merry chase. I documented it in a private web forum, which entertained my friends for weeks. It's a bit dated now, but 419eater[0] is a public forum that did the same. If you enjoyed your own, I expect you'll like this too. I did the same a few times myself, but got bored after a while. I never did get anyone to send a photo of themselves with underwear on their head (as others on 419eater did), but it was amusing for a while. [0] https://www.419eater.com/ https://www.419eater.com/

gs17 4y ago
419eater is still going (albeit a little slower since the forums switched), no need for past tense. I still get that sort of scam by the boatload to my email.
hackernewds 4y ago
Possible they're the same story?
- nobody9999 4y ago
  >Possible they're the same story? Sure it's possible. Although GP said[0] it was a private forum. 419eater.com is, and has been for many years, an open forum. Perhaps GP could clarify? [0] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31952752 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=31952752
- RajT88 4y ago
  I have no connection to that site. Indeed, I was aware of it before my merry chase I led the scammers on, which was 2008 when I did it. It was certainly an inspiration. My private forum is long dead, and to be completely honest, I think the 419eaters did a much better job. That is subjective, but for sure they invested a lot more time in it. I would post my exploits publicly, lightly anonymized, but I was in my 20's when I did it. I look back at it, and feel like the sort of long-con thinking and sheer sneakiness and meanness of how I reversed the con back at them is just not a good look. I wouldn't do it again now. Maybe some folks understand what I mean by that? I don't want to be a shady dude, even in pursuit of some weird form of justice.

tornato7 4y ago

Some years ago I was selling an expensive aquarium on Craigslist, a scammer ‘paid’ me with a fake PayPal payment before asking to come pick it up. So I convinced him that I was the manager of a Red Lobster restaurant and it was an old lobster tank that we were selling. I told him to show up during business hours and tell the manager he’s there to pick up the lobster tank. The next day I got some ‘on my way’ texts and then soon after a bunch of swearing at me. Good times.

hyperdimension 4y ago
How did you know the PayPal payment was fake? Was it an edited screenshot, or did they actually spoof a 'you received money' email from PayPal? I ask just on the off-chance that you got a seeming-real email from the real PayPal, and I'd like to know what to look for if so.
- benrapscallion 4y ago
  I believe this scam works by then reversing (withdrawal) of the PayPal funds.
  - hyperdimension 4y ago
    Thanks. So I guess they send the money with the "goods and services" type instead of "friends and family" ? I wonder if that's (very) visible in the 'you received a payment' email. I never looked before.
- tornato7 4y ago
  It was a fake ‘you received money’ email.
londons_explore 4y ago
Actual scammers tend to not pick up the actual goods. It's hard to turn a profit by reselling an expensive aquarium tank that's probably pretty unique and they don't come up for sale frequently. I suspect you fleeced a real buyer