I get weird looks when I tell people about baiting

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Not quite a Newb Joined: 09 Apr 2007 Posts: 37

I think I may keep this little scam-baiting hobby to myself... now my girlfriend is worried that my switching a straight 419 into a date-bait could result in me, I dunno, falling in love with some mugu.

I explain that the pretty girl in the picture almost certainly isn't the one sending the emails, that it's probably some old fat guy in a Nigerian Internet cafe. And, even if it IS the girl, she's still a friggin' criminal who's trying to steal my money...

My daughters are worried that I'm becoming a vigilante (maybe, a little) or that I'll get murdered in my sleep...

I explain it's really just a hobby, a sort of creative outlet with benefits. It's as close as I'll ever get to being James Bond (well, maybe Inspector Clouseau, or Maxwell Smart).

I think I'll just keep it to myself for awhile. typing

Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 5:50 am

That would be just about the response you get from most people when you tell them about scambaiting.
At least .... that was the case for me as well.

My best friend (no ... not my S.O.) thinks the scammers can locate me and then hurt me (and no, he does NOT understand English, let alone how to bait SAFE).

My mother thinks I'm totally crazy for doing this and she thinks that the scammers are so far away that I should not try to waste their time and money.

And for the rest ... pfffffffffw ... didn't even bother to tell them.

M.

Very Happy

Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 7:39 am

I don't tell anybody about my little 'hobby'. They all think I'm mad anyway. Shocked

Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 10:01 am

I agree, best not to tell too many people unless you know them well, my friends get a laugh out of it, my wife helps with ideas now she's gotten used to the idea, but everyone else is scared so I keep it to myself (and you guys of course).

Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 1:20 pm

margory wrote:

My mother thinks I'm totally crazy for doing this and she thinks that the scammers are so far away that I should not try to waste their time and money.

Even if they're far away, they still cheerily steal money from the people next door to you. Or that would be my argument.

Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 2:05 pm

Probably best not to put it on your resume or anything like that... I dont really tell a lot of people about it. Just a close friend or two.

Baiting Guru Joined: 19 Mar 2007 Posts: 2628

I came across eater a few months ago, then after lurking I joined.
I didn't say anything to anyone at first but my husband was wondering why I was laughing so much, so I showed him. So he joined.
We now share a hobby and ideas, it's nice to have something to do on boring evenings.
Our kids ( teenage and up ) think we're quite batty but do ask how the baits are going , they even throw in some ideas.
I dont encourage them to try this themselves as they're still a bit immature but mostly because they should be studying.
So if they're reading this, back to your books Twisted Evil

Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 3:09 pm

I made the mistake of telling my brother.

He now has 150 questions everytime I talk to him. Rolling Eyes

I should have left it with my husband being the only one.

I will not tell again! Wink

Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 4:51 pm

@ scamtastic

My girlfriend says I'm a loser... but she's still willing to hang around me when I bait as she knows I'm a devious little nerd who will cause trouble on occasion.

I've only had one person tell me that baiting is cool (and she'd heard of it before)... and that was another friend.

... anyway mmm coffee!!!
Shocked

[edit] scratch girl friend so I'm cool with everyone now on baiting!

Posted: Thu May 03, 2007 5:30 pm

Funny... everyone I know that I've told about it (lots, including acquaintances) thinks it's hilarious.

I made one friend so curious that he came to 'Eater to check it out. At the time my avatar was Spongebob Squarepants. My friend and his wife liked the site so much they bought me a chocolate Spongebob!

Another friend of mine was inspired to try a bait. Didn't go on for too long, but he tried it.

Maybe it helps if your friends already know you're a little off...

Not quite a Newb Joined: 09 Apr 2007 Posts: 37

Jen Derbender wrote:

Funny... everyone I know that I've told about it (lots, including acquaintances) thinks it's hilarious.

I've gotten some laughs as well, but they're followed by a strange look Shocked

Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 12:25 am

I'm new to the forum but have been reading eater for a long time. All of my co-workers love reading good baits and think it's pretty sweet that I'm doing it in my spare time.

Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 12:32 am

Hey, I get weird looks no matter what I say. Nothing new to me. Wink

Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 12:50 am

I recently slipped off the wagon, and tried to explain to a barman, who was curious but busy, what it was all about, i think he ended up thinking i was scammer Confused

I passed around shivs book to a few of my mates, and although they all found it entertaining, they didn`t get the bug. The ones who are online are WoW addicts, one has been trying to learn pidgin, he`s a very intelligent guy and i wish he would start cos he would be legendary at this lark,
another can`t stop watching the stunt lad videos, he gets a great kick when the Lad is preparing to jump! he even changed his voicemail message to "I`m the known stunt man make Eastwood fine!" for a while.

when i started there had been a few reports in newspapers about scamming and scambaiting, (Shivs interview in the Star i think) so most of the people i told still had that info in their minds, but as fleeting as media memory is, if i was to tell most of them now i`d definitely be classed in the weird bunch.

One thing i`ve found in Ireland is any mention of a hobby involving the internet will immediately have you classed as a nerd, and a porn freak. We really love our stereotypes here Rolling Eyes

Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 1:55 am

I have told a few people but was greeted with looks of blank incomprehension from most of them. Lots of people Just Don't Get It. My beloved is still manning the cauldron of boiling oil over our newly installed drawbridge ready to repel the hoard of machete-wielding mugus who are on their way right now...... Rolling Eyes

Now I just keep it as my guilty pleasure.

Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 2:03 am

Yup. Most of the people I've ever mentioned it to decided I was a shade crazier then I was before.

Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 2:49 am

I haven't told anyone yet. I personally can't picture many people I know really getting into what we do here. Although one or two of them might get a kick out of it.

Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 2:57 am

The guy that cuts my hair knows and he thinks it great. One of my friends knows, but she's be sworn to secrecy. I've told no one else because they already think I'm loopy.

Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 11:47 am

My mother thinks i'm 'no better than they are' for doing it, Rolling Eyes

my dad thinks it's dodgy and dangerous and i should leave it well alone,
my brother has no opinion one way or the other and is totally uninterested,
and i haven't bothered to tell anyone else after those reactions.

Now i just keep it to myself Smile

Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 11:53 am

Well it appears most of us are introverted with our peers, but flaming extroverts when it comes to scammers.

I wonder if some form of multiple personality disorder or something else is hiding in our psych as well..

I know I bait better when I introduce new characters....

ps I nearly bought it up in a job interview... classic Q. "What are your hobbies, what is this tesla coil thing you mention and what else are you interested in..."

hmmm.....

Anywhoo I got the job, same shit different day...

Posted: Fri May 04, 2007 12:01 pm

Wots scambaiting?

(Pulls cloak over head and dissapears into the night)

Baiting Guru Joined: 03 May 2007 Posts: 18313

I have told a few people. It's been a long explanation because I have to start at the beginning, explaining about the scams first. . .
My sister thinks its scary, but she's intrigued. My husband thinks its hilarious and has been telling his friends and co-workers. One of his best friends has a western union service in the business he owns and said that he has talked several people OUT of sending money to Nigeria and Benin.
I haven't gotten any weird looks, etc. Must be I'm only telling people who won't do that to me. Smile