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>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 d

>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.

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.