Newbie botches first bait. :(

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Hello I'm New here! Joined: 05 Aug 2011 Posts: 3

I had a couple of scammers contact me in regards to an apt I have for rent. Since I wasn't too familiar with the apt scam thing it took me a couple of emails to be certain that it was scammers.

While they kept asking for my phone number to discuss the details of them sending prepaid rent, I obviously didn't want to send any personal info so I sent an email crafted like a typical fake Landlord scammer:

Quote:

Hello,

I am pleased that you will be taking the apartment. I hope that you will be able to inspect the apartment as soon as possible so you can see for yourself how beautiful it is. The rental process will be done through my legal representative, Mr Jean Guy Boofon. You will not send any funds to me. The rental is safe and secure: If you want to rent the apartment all you have to do is wire $4,185 CDN (3 months rent) via Western Union to Mr. Jean Guy Boofon. The funds should be sent to Mr. Boofon via the Western Union office.

Once Mr. Boofon has confirmed reception of the funds via Western Union, the signed lease and keys to access the apartment will be mailed to you the same day. You will have 5 days to inspect the apartment and review the lease. If you decide not to rent the apartment you will get the money back the same day you return the keys and paperwork. If you decide to rent the apartment all you have to do is sign the lease, fax it, and confirm that you have decided to rent the apartment so the deposit can be released to me.

At present I am out of the country and but Mr. Boofon will be pleased to show you the apartment once the required funds and signed lease documents are received. By your emails I can tell that you are a professional and honest applicant, and I anxiously look forward to receiving your deposit and having your family as tenants. Please send the funds immediately so Mr Boofon can reserve the apartment for you. I wouldn't want you to miss out on such a great opportunity.

Regards,

GJ

They responded with one last wimpy request for a phone number then bailed after I again requested the wire transfer. While it was fun to razz them a bit, I now wish I'd baited them into sending their bogus money order and dragged the thing out. Confused

They sent me all kinds of contact numbers and, of course I have their emails if any experienced baiters would like to have some fun with them. Smile

Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2011 11:47 pm

First off, welcome to Eater!

Second, it is good they dropped you. One of the things you will hear here over and over is to Bait Safe. This means keeping your baiting persona(s) and your real life separate.

It may be cathartic to "get back" at people trying to cheat you, but it has the potential to put you in a dangerous situation. You have to remember while they seem very stupid, these are criminals. Best thing you can do is drop someone like that and pick up a fresh lad from the surplus section here to vent your frustration on.

That said, I hope you stick around and learn our ways. Check out the stickies and apply for a mentor if you really want to get some of these scammers steaming. Most of all, have fun!

Posted: Fri Aug 05, 2011 11:50 pm

Welcome to the asylum!We all start somewhere and we all make mistakes.Read through the stickies,grab a fresh lad from surplus and have at it.

Baiting Guru Joined: 10 Oct 2003 Posts: 4747

Welcome to eater,

Baiting is an art that’s learned by reading (the stickies), mentoring, and finding out what works best for you.

BTW you are not using any Real Life information? If so don’t.

Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2011 6:23 am

We all were there at one point or another. It's a learning experience, but after a while, you will get the hang of it.

Hello I'm New here! Joined: 05 Aug 2011 Posts: 3

Thanks for the welcome and the advice. Very Happy

I think I'll read, watch, and learn before getting my feet wet. The Safari baits are about the best things I've ever read. Awesome stuff! Laughing

Posted: Sat Aug 06, 2011 7:40 pm

As everyone has said, Bait Safe! Then, after that, have fun! This is an addictive hobby.

I chased away most of my early baits with my eagerness to get them to safari. Stick with it, and it will happen. Join mass baits as they are a great way to learn from other baiters and make friends. I met Bohigal on the Binke Insurance Massbait, for example, and she is just about the bees knees of baiters, and a stellar human being, too.

Hi Eliza!!!!!!!

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