New Idea for Scambaits

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Hello I'm New here! Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 3

Current scambaiters exploit weak 419 scammers and make them do ridiculous things. However, the other half of the problem (ignorant people giving away their money) is not being addressed. And don't tell me they're not ignorant, because clearly they are ignorant of the fact that they're being scammed! Why don't we start using the 419 scams and our knowledge of what makes the current ones look phony for good by actually scamming ordinary helpless grannies, but then giving the money back and telling them what they did wrong? This way, we will saturate the market with scammers, and lower the percentage of money being funnelled off to Nigeria.

Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 6:09 pm

I think that this will get a slating by all, there is something in the rules about getting money off people. If nothing else it probably crosses the border of legality.
There are plenty better ways of bringing the scammers activities into the public domain.

I have to vote NO! most definately on this one.

Not quite a Newb Joined: 14 Jul 2005 Posts: 41

Well, since that would be illegal, I'm going to go out on a limb and say, "Not a chance in hell."

Interesting first post, though.

Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 6:13 pm

Welcome to the Eater. Smile

It's an interesting idea, and may be a valuable way of educating people, but it's crossing the line into illegality, so has to be a no from me too. Sad

I don't agree that we do not address the lack of information to victims - if you look around, you'll see a number of interviews and other media coverage generated by Eater people, and just by being here and attracting attention, we are alerting and educating passers-by. Smile

How did you find us, for example? Smile

Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 6:14 pm

How can someone with such a great name write such a silly post. Rolling Eyes

Just kidding. But I think that is a big hairy no for that suggestion. I would like to see one defend that stance in court... "Well, I was GOING to give it back!"

Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 6:17 pm

^^^They say imitation is the greatest form of flattery. Seriously though it's got to be a no as has already been said it is highly illegal and will probably be done on 'The Real Hustle' (UK TV show) any day now. It is a very interesting thought though.

Wannabe Baiter Joined: 22 Feb 2007 Posts: 81

Mod edit: no need to quote the whole post - Chester

What would this help? The number of scambaiters to scammers is very low, and the people involved would still be pissed off you had their money at all and possibly involve the police.

You'd never educate enough people to make the effort worthwhile, definitely not more than would be reached by having funny baits on this site linked to on other sites or their email.

You know those annoying emails you get from your parents, aunts or whoever? The ones that read: "FWD: Re: FWD: A FUNNY JOKE" or "A CUTE CAT" or whatever? Well instead send one about a scambait those relatives might enjoy.

Not quite a Newb Joined: 05 Mar 2007 Posts: 43

No for conformity.

Not quite a Newb Joined: 14 Jul 2005 Posts: 41

Please belay the household cleaning tips and funny pictures.

Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 6:45 pm

I voted no, its still illegal and could get you into big trouble.

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 3

OK, thanks everyone for replying! I suppose the answer is that it is illegal and therefore not a good idea to scam people and give the money back. Keep the brilliant scambaits coming! Cheers.

Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 7:08 pm

We shy away from illegal practices here.

Keep on reading and stick around. No doubt you will receive undeserving favor because of your fine choice in a name. Laughing

Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 7:08 pm

That is a shocking approach...

But it definitely runs into the law as many mentioned. The problem is that the FBI and Law Enforcement Officials won't know your true intensions. They will have to assume that you are a scammer. You can be tried as a scammer and go to jail.

Instead of the scammer contacting you... you are contacting the victims. A big no no.

Baiting Guru Joined: 07 Jul 2006 Posts: 5727

As far as ideas go I'd say that this one ranks right up there with New Coke. A very very bad idea.

I'd have a real hard time explaining to a judge that I was PLANNING to send the money back. Plus, what do you do with the person that sold their home to get the money, with the expectation of getting millions of dollars and moving into a mansion? I don't think "Sorry about that" will do much.

Not quite a Newb Joined: 05 Mar 2007 Posts: 43

Don't worry, maybe "yes" can still catch up.

Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 8:02 pm

I agree that more needs to be done to make people aware of these scams, but doing by scamming ourselves and then giving the money back - nah - won't work. Toooooo much bad press.

Probably the only way is to get more media coverage and provide example emails - teach people how to recognise scam emails. Show them how look up IP addys (a bit much for granny next door maybe), but it's worth thinking about.
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Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 8:10 pm

We have roughly 20000 members on Eater alone, if 5 % of them would attempt such a thing you'd have to rely on 1000 people giving money back they have safely and antraceably in their wallet. Nah...I wouldn't want to bet on that...

The idea might even have its merits. But I simply don't believe in humanity, not even in the moral integrity of each and every scambaiter. Besides that I'd worry about our publicity. Would you want to set up a mentoring program on how to scam people effectively? How would you make sure lads wouldn't sign up to use the repository of convincing fake forms and passports? etc. etc.

I'd better not give people funny ideas.

Baiting Guru Joined: 31 Jan 2007 Posts: 12237

^^^^^ I couldn't agree more Don.

Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 8:55 pm

Don was very eloquent and understanding in his reply.

I'll answer the question in the OP the KD way: Bullshit! Evil or Very Mad

(sniff, sniff!)

Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 9:00 pm

Yeah. Or that. Laughing

Posted: Wed Mar 07, 2007 9:05 pm

Isn't this like robbing a bank, and then giving the money back to the bank in order to educate them as to what they did wrong?

And if you did rob the bank and give back the money to "help" them, would that get the armed robbery charges dropped?

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 07 Mar 2007 Posts: 3

OK I GET IT!!! It's a bad idea as I initially described it... Wow you guys really go for jugular.

What if a non-profit organization was set up that had a regulated bank account? That way, all money would be going to an account that everyone could see, and money could be promptly returned. Thus, it's not stealing, it's decieving people into temporarily lending their money to charity. Is that so wrong?

419Eater is my life Joined: 26 Jan 2007 Posts: 356

I'll respond with a different approach than just the illegality.

If someone scammed me personally, EVEN if the money was returned, EVEN if it was just to educate me, I would still want to rip their face off (no offense to you intended). I would not see it as a public service in any way, regardless of where the money went or how it was handled.

Yeah, it might be an effective way to draw attention to the issue, but it wouldn't be in a GOOD way. You'd just be making people really, really angry.

Sticking to conventional ways of warning people is good enough, in my opinion.

Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:13 am

This whole topic seems very strange to me. I think you should drop this idea and go back to charging people money for crossing over top of your bridge. Cool

Posted: Thu Mar 08, 2007 1:14 am

what crap is discussed here?

I am much more interested to discuss the contents for a tasty sauce for my next spaghetti-meal. Should I include some garlic or will onions do fine?

Suggestions please Rolling Eyes