Getting Started - Some Questions from a Noob

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Hello I'm New here! Joined: 20 Jul 2011 Posts: 11

As I mentioned in the "Post Here When You Join" section, I have received scam emails for a few years now and as part of my job, I am charged with deleting them. I've never answered one until now and the ones I answered so far have come from the Surplus thread so as not to be tracked back to my place of work... Safe baiting and all. I have read much of the University stuff and have signed up for and received a mentor.

I do have some questions though and rather than just PMing my mentor, I think I'll post it here so that others can get the benefit of the answers.

1. I've responded to a few items out of the Surplus section. Are we to "claim" them so nobody else takes them or are they open to anyone?

2. When responding back, how much info do you start with? I've sent a couple long-winded replies giving a bit of a back-story, and I have replied with a sentence or two. Which one is best? Can too much info scare a lad off?

3. I haven't reached this point yet but as most baits end up using some sort of form or request for information, is there a place these are created? I've seen the 10-page WU and MG forms with the list of ever-so useful questions. Where do these come from?

4. What is a normal conversion ratio? I have sent probably 5 responses out and have only received back 2. They are very slow to respond. You'd think with such a big fish on the end of their line, they'd reply back sooner!

5. Where is the most appropriate place to post a bait in progress to ask for pointers?

I love the stalling techniques I've seen so far and have a few ideas in mind for my character(s). I can't wait to share!

Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2011 6:28 pm

Hello BarryDHatchet

First off Welcome!

1) These lads are free for all to enjoy!

2) "I'm Interested please tell me more" then followed up with a single question. I usually wait until the lad is well off script before getting to involved with a storyline. Fact is most lads do not read your initial emails and only forward the next part of their script. It take a few rounds of questions before they really read what you write.

3) Lots of stuff found here http://forum.419eater.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=151052

4) I would say 2 out of 5 is about right. Lots of reasons for lads not replying. One could be your long winded emails Laughing

that is not really how a real victim would reply and they may just think your a joker. Lads also are lazy, loose boxes, run out of money for the internet cafe and get busy with other victims. Also do not expect too many replies over the weekend few work then.

5) If you have an on going bait best place to post for help is here.
http://forum.419eater.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=12

If you want to publish a bait do it here
http://forum.419eater.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=10

Have fun and bait safe!

Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2011 6:31 pm

Quote:

1. I've responded to a few items out of the Surplus section. Are we to "claim" them so nobody else takes them or are they open to anyone?

As far as I know, they are open to anyone. This is why I rarely use the surplus emails. I figure if lads have lots of "victims" (ie baiters) talking to them at once, they are less likely to jump through hoops for you. If you are the only "victim" the lad has on the line, they are more likely to go the extra mile for you. At least that's my theory. So I handpick all my lads from my own catcher account.

Quote:

2. When responding back, how much info do you start with? I've sent a couple long-winded replies giving a bit of a back-story, and I have replied with a sentence or two. Which one is best? Can too much info scare a lad off?

Early on the lads don't pay much attention to your response, if any at all. My original email is a short "Hey I'm interested" type deal. Then after that I give a little back story but don't waste too much time on something they aren't likely to read anyway.

Quote:

3. I haven't reached this point yet but as most baits end up using some sort of form or request for information, is there a place these are created? I've seen the 10-page WU and MG forms with the list of ever-so useful questions. Where do these come from?

Baits don't necessarily have to go this direction (mine rarely do), but they certainly can be fun for the baiter and frustrating for the lads. I don't have the links off hand but you can also always make up your own forms. Just whip something up in Microsoft Word and stick a logo on it. Write up whatever ridiculous questions you want. I've done this before earlier on in my baiting career.

Quote:

4. What is a normal conversion ratio? I have sent probably 5 responses out and have only received back 2. They are very slow to respond. You'd think with such a big fish on the end of their line, they'd reply back sooner!

I'd say a 40% reply rate is pretty good. I usually send out about 20+ emails to the lads I find in my catcher account, and typically only get a handful of replies.

Quote:

5. Where is the most appropriate place to post a bait in progress to ask for pointers?

The Scambaiting Helps, Hints, and Tips Forum.

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 20 Jul 2011 Posts: 11

anyone have luck with Google Voice for a phone number? Is it traceable to the forwarding number at all? Anything to watch for?

Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2011 7:49 pm

I agree with Bravo... Laughing

Good reply.

Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2011 8:10 pm

BarryDHatchet wrote:

anyone have luck with Google Voice for a phone number? Is it traceable to the forwarding number at all? Anything to watch for?

I use GV and like it. Sometimes I forward it to my RL mobile and sometimes no depending if I actualy want to talk to the lad. Only caution is to make sure your GV VM is set to less rings than your RL cell VM so the lad gets your GV VM message instead of your real one. Wink

Posted: Fri Jul 22, 2011 8:59 pm

Bait It Up wrote:

Quote:

1. I've responded to a few items out of the Surplus section. Are we to "claim" them so nobody else takes them or are they open to anyone?

As far as I know, they are open to anyone. This is why I rarely use the surplus emails. I figure if lads have lots of "victims" (ie baiters) talking to them at once, they are less likely to jump through hoops for you. If you are the only "victim" the lad has on the line, they are more likely to go the extra mile for you. At least that's my theory. So I handpick all my lads from my own catcher account.

This is actually one of the better reasons for grabbing lads out of the surplus forum; the more Baiters that he's dealing with, the less time he'll have for actual victims. It amusing to think that there's some lad in a cafe in Lagos talking to no one but baiters, and desperately trying to understand why he's not getting paid.

Quote:

3. I haven't reached this point yet but as most baits end up using some sort of form or request for information, is there a place these are created? I've seen the 10-page WU and MG forms with the list of ever-so useful questions. Where do these come from?

Baits don't necessarily have to go this direction (mine rarely do), but they certainly can be fun for the baiter and frustrating for the lads. I don't have the links off hand but you can also always make up your own forms. Just whip something up in Microsoft Word and stick a logo on it. Write up whatever ridiculous questions you want. I've done this before earlier on in my baiting career.

Indeed. There are a lot of things you can do before sending a form. Forget to attach it, tell the lad that it's there (when it isn't), type a plain text "attachment.jpg" at the end of your message, or add a warning message that the attachment was removed by an anti-virus or anti-terrorist agency. These are always the lad's fault. If you're straight-baiting, I'd be careful with this one, as we want the delays to be as plausible as possible. These can work with forms lads send you too, after you've exhausted all the stalling tactics you can before getting ready to "send" them back.

Posted: Sun Jul 24, 2011 6:21 pm

Quote:

3. I haven't reached this point yet but as most baits end up using some sort of form or request for information, is there a place these are created? I've seen the 10-page WU and MG forms with the list of ever-so useful questions. Where do these come from?

I make quite a few forms for the Eater baiters. I will tailor them to whatever stage you are in the bait, using lots of color. I make the documents in WORD using tables and then convert them to jpg or pdf formats. Lately I have been printing them out on color paper (pink, blue, green etc) if desired.

There are other forms on Eater - just do a search. Should you become a premium member, other Eater members provide specialized services to aid in the baiting process for premium members.

When you are ready for a form, send me a PM if a search doesn't turn up what you need.

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