Just an informal survey question

By joining our community you will have the ability to post topics and access other forums reserved for members. Registration is quick, simple and absolutely free. Join our community today by clicking here.

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 12:01 am

OK... before anyone answers this question, keep in mind that I've only ever fallen for two scams in my life (neither were on the internet) and never again. Still...

Has anyone else here ever second-guessed their baiting work? Ever been going through your lad-mails and one of them makes you think, just for a microsecond, that this 419-er might be telling the truth? Yes I know the logic and the facts, and I've read all the stickies. I just mean has anybody else thought "what if" on one or two occasions? Or izzit just me?

Or am I just the only one who will confess it?

Answer honestly, and no preaching please. This question is confidential and 100% risky free.

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 12:17 am

Sometimes they are convincing for people in need of a way out of financial trouble, but when you use logic, why would they need you to get those cheques cashed, money transported, money claimed etc. Enough of their own people have found their way to your country; wouldn�t that be their first choice?
Who would you pick if you wanted your millions save in another country. Me Twisted Evil

or your own family? Wink

Yes you can dream, but do it in bed, in RL nobody gives away $100.00 not to mention $millions.
I bet you like to read Harry Potter Laughing

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 12:28 am

Quote:

Or izzit just me?

It's just you.

But seriously - the first time I saw one of these 419 scams - back in the early 90s, I guess - yeah, there was this bit of "it's probably not for real, but man, what if it is?". That was when the most you could do with a browser was to see how many Cokes were in the Coke machine in the CS lab at the University of Illinois. So no great resources like 419eater to help save the day.... For me, common sense ended up taking over, fortunately.

But that's how they get their hooks into a number of real victims - exactly what you are describing - the "what if". The victim will think, "It's probably not real, but it's only $500 for this certificate, it's worth it to find out". Then there's a $1200 anti-money-laundering certificate, then this, then that, and all of a sudden you're out $50K.

So yeah, a LOT of people have that same feeling you do, and an unfortunately large percentage of them act on it.

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 12:44 am

Losst Jedi wrote:

Answer honestly, and no preaching please. This question is confidential and 100% risky free.

Well, sense it's "confidential and 100% risky free", one time I tried to bait someone that turned out to be Chris Hansen of MSNBC trying to fish for fools that were willing to receive goods bought with stolen credit cards to be reshipped to a third party but they dropped me like a hot potato when they realized I was a baiter too. Laughing

True story. Neutral

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 12:47 am

I will admit that there are times when I think my P4st0r R4m35h is for real. Mostly b/c he's always willing to do whatever I ask whenever I ask. But then I remember he didn't respond to me until my 2nd email when I mentioned the big bucks he would get. I've never for a minute believed anything any other mugus have ever said.

EDIT: Is it wrong to wish I could have baited Chris Hansen LOL Laughing

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 12:51 am

me thinks tha pastor needs to go on a pilgrimage hehe

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 12:52 am

^^ All in good time, all in good time. Twisted Evil

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 12:55 am

Back in 1999, when I received my very first 419 email, I actually read it. The whole thing. (I never have since.)

I thought about it and considered that it might be real, although highly illegal. The thought that it might be real lasted exactly 0.0000000001 seconds. I'm still embarrassed to this day that it took me so long to realize that it was a scam.

I knew it had to be a scam but couldn't figure out how it was supposed to work. It took me up to February of 2004, when I found this site, to find out how they worked.

Whatever, after I received that first one, I called the local fraud division of the police and reported it.

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 12:56 am

WOO HOO can't wait for this Safari thefife. Mr. Green

Master Baiter Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 109

I don't remember when I first read one so I couldn't tell you if I thought it was real.
I do sometimes read them in full because I am completely fascinated by the whole thing. To an unsuspecting victim, I can see why they would fall for it, especially given what popups have been saying for so many years (millionth visitor etc).

Krona wrote:

The victim will think, "It's probably not real, but it's only $500 for this certificate, it's worth it to find out".

Hansen (msnbc) made that valid point. They spin you this story, sometimes for weeks before asking for money. Get you hooked, play the nice guy act. People forgive their English because that's not their first language.
They get someone hooked, first payment goes off, and then gambler's logic takes over: Once someone has sent/lost anything, they want a return on it, and if they have to spend more to get a return then they will. Repeat until common sense or bankrupcy hits home. Same as casino gambling, except with RSOTs

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 1:44 am

I have never thought a scam email was real. My own mother tells me I'm cynical. I guess that's not so bad in this world. Wink

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 1:51 am

@ MF The pilgimage won't be for a while yet. I'm trying my best not to rush things. I did a major f*ck up today, hopefully I covered my a$$ enough so he won't drop me.

@ J5 I generally don't read mugu's emails. I skim for info at most. From the ones I have actually read b4 I started baiting I have no idea how anyone could fall for these scams. They are so ridiculous & outrageous. The first one I got I asked myself why would this person trust me w/ their $ they don't know me & they are on another continent so it's not like they could get to me if I ran off w/ their money then it was obvious it was a scam. I don't see how anyone w/ an ounce of common sense can fall for these scams.

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 1:54 am

Only once.

It was a begging lad.

I was baiting as the grandson of Herman Hesse. The lad researched all my grandfathers books, discussed them in great detail and made me feel really guilty. Sad

I stopped baiting him and moved on to the next lad.

I did not believe his scam.....I just did not feel comfortable baiting him.

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 1:59 am

Wow what a list of responses! For the record...

- I've never read a Harry Potter book.
- I only fall for scams in reality-land. Those being the "diamond ring" and the infamous "Wal-Mart" scams.
- I never believe anything I see on the internet. Ever. Even CNN is a hoax. Global warming is a conspiracy.
- Not for a minute did I believe that Mariam Abacha was really e-mailing me.
- The only thing I've ever sent a scammer is Canadian Tire money.
- When I dream, it's never about money.

But seriously folks, thanks for your honesty and the not preaching thing! I just wanted to throw this one out there, even at risk of people knowing that I'm a totall jackass. Cheers!

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 2:04 am

first time i got a lottery email back a few yrs ago i really thought it was real-till i started to search into it

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

I had one bait quite a while back that made me a bit uncomfortable briefly. The lad claimed to be a 15-year-old kid trying desperately to get out of Azerbaijan. He was so intensely dumb, so clueless as to how scams even work, that I very briefly wondered if maybe he was telling the truth about everything but the multi-million dollar check. I wondered if maybe he was just a kid who didn't know any better than to make up that extra bit to try to get someone to help him. The fact that he wasn't using a script at all, not even at the beginning, made it even harder to tell.

But no, he was just an exceptionally dumb scammer. He eventually switched to a completely different method, and I'm sure a few people here will recognize the name Agent Kim, seller of "diamonds." Very Happy

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 2:15 am

LMAO Losst Jedi you are such a booger (or is that bunger?) Laughing

HEY - pass that bottle over here Razz

slurp

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 2:28 am

When I first started to read about love scammers, I'm glad Wayne and the like were there to point out the reasons why they were scammers.
I think some of those lads used to make me wonder, but I learnt from reading the best and now I know most of what to look out for, so no, not any more, but I used to.

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 2:40 am

holy sheep dip - i forgot all about tha luv scams - guess i'm gettin kinda crusty these days Laughing

Master Baiter Joined: 14 Jun 2007 Posts: 109

dgloryhole wrote:

first time i got a lottery email back a few yrs ago i really thought it was real-till i started to search into it

I should think these are the most easily believed.
Most people already get spam trying to sell them crap, so they know their email is floating around, so it's not unrealistic to think it's been entered into a lottery draw.
Of course, people should get suspicious when they have to send money to recieve some, and that you have to send that money to nigeria to get your prize from the uk lottery (who apparently use WU to hold your cash), and that there's no webpage covering this, and that it's always urgent despite you having 6 months on the real uk lottery,, but otherwise, it's concievable Razz

Baiting Guru Joined: 03 May 2007 Posts: 18313

I have never believed that any of the scams are real. . . . There is, once in a while, a tiny fleeting thought (for a few seconds) when reading a particular email that makes me wonder what's real and what isn't, then I quickly remember: it's ALL lies. Anyone ever get the brief feeling that the scammers throw in a few real details about themselves?

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 3:31 am

In some early baits my logic told me that it was entire fabrication but there was some portion of my brain that kept saying "wow, cool, just one more document".

I think the process is seductive. Even though I knew 100% risky free that this was total crap, there was a little part of me that wondered "what if?".

I think that is natural.

But the more baits I run the less it happens, now I don't bother to read their emails, and I think the way to avoid this is by taking control of the bait. The more off script they are the less it becomes seductive.

I used to think victims were guppies, now I see how easy it is for a victim to WANT to believe.

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 3:42 am

Yeah, the love scams is where it mostly happens to me. Mainly because they're so blasted long-running and personal. I actually had a couple of reality-cases on the hook from Russia. Found out the reality part when I e-mailed them from another account and got a "I'm already seeing someone" response. Wouldn't make much sense for a scammer to be faithful to one of their victims.

Then again, just because someone isn't 419-ing doesn't mean they're totally honest either!

Posted: Tue Jun 26, 2007 3:53 am

red wrote:

But the more baits I run the less it happens, now I don't bother to read their emails, and I think the way to avoid this is by taking control of the bait. The more off script they are the less it becomes seductive.

I took the EVILYN WOODHEAD SPEAD READIN COURSE. kinda speeds things up Laughing

419Eater is my life Joined: 20 Apr 2006 Posts: 293

Never.

Just an informal survey question	View next topic View previous topic