Results from study

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Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 9:34 am

Results why lads act dumb

http://www.news.com.au/technology/solved-why-email-scammers-say-theyre-from-nigeria/story-e6frfro0-1226404287910

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 11:42 am

Deliberate gullibility on the part of the baiting character definitely becomes a "blip" on the scammer's radar.
My lead in script usually includes:
1. Immediate acceptance of their 419 jargon - "this business, the transaction, the fund, etc."
2. Statement of personal reasons as to why I'm desperate for "the money".
3. Questions which indicate my impression that the scammer is the one "in the know".

Dumber than dumb is smarter than smart?

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 1:37 pm

I don't have time to get into it right now,but my experience leads me to question the conclusions of that study.Trust me-not all victims are stupid.

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 2:14 pm

My thoughts as well Doc and I posted a comment on the site (which apparently has to be vetted before it appears) to that affect.

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 9:02 pm

^^^Your comment apparently has not posted yet. Strange, since at least three threads of political rant got through.

I happened to run across the article earlier today and even plowed through the paper (it took me back to my graduate school days).

I tend to agree with you. Not every victim is hopelessly naive or gullible, as this article in the New Yorker attests.

Also, I doubt any lads ran a cost-benefit analysis of dumbing down their formats. In the jargon of the paper, they do it "heuristically" (hit or miss) until they hit on a script that seems to work.

Posted: Thu Jun 21, 2012 10:33 pm

IF it was not against Eater scambaiting ethics, unethical anyway, possibly illegal and the fact that I would lose my friends here....

The reporter would be receiving some new emails and not from a Nigerian Prince.

Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 8:38 am

Well, I'm an ex-victim and I'm certainly not stupid. Smile

As for dumbing-down, these are extracts from two different Nigerian scams which will find their way onto ScamWarners today:

Quote:

How to apply

The nanny must apply and this can be done by contacting the NAS by email:
[email protected], and request a form to complete in writing. NAS will write to the nanny to
let him/her know that they have received the application. The letter will include details on how to:

· Get identity, the first aid qualification, insurance documentation and any other information NAS require
checked.
· Pay the total fee
· Provide any further information NAS request to deem the nanny suitable to provide childcare.

How does NAS decide if the nanny is suitable?

NAS will assess the nanny's suitability by considering the information on the application form. It may be necessary
in some circumstances for NAS to interview the nanny or carry out further checks. If the nanny has lived abroad in
the past three years they should tell NAS of the countries they have lived in on the application form. NAS will
normally require the nanny to provide some extra evidence of suitability - this may include:

· A certificate of good conduct from the embassy of the country, in which the nanny lived, accompanied where
necessary by a certified translation into English
· A reference from someone of standing in the country, in which the nanny lived, such as a doctor or lawyer
· Evidence to support any work permit
· References from past employers

NAS will contact the nanny if they need additional evidence. If the nanny is unable to supply sufficient evidence,
NAS may have to refuse the nanny's registration. Please note this may delay the process.

Quote:

MISSION

The mission of the THE BICKLEYS SCHOOL OF DANCING is to develop students with psycho motor, affective and cognitive skills allowing them to use the critical thinking rationally supported by a solid awareness of their values. This kind of education will help them have a better life by equipping them to be agents of change according to their respective ages. The Institute, through an educational option at an international academic level, seeks to have a positive influence in the educational and cultural scenario of its community, state and country.

Profile:
Teacher's profile which may be developed within the International High School Program:

• Knowledge of its area
• Didactic training
• Positive attitude
• Initiative
• Able to work in teams
• Tolerance
• Open Minded
• Consistent
• Congruent
• Have scientific interest
• Respect
• Have a humanistic sense
• Be open to self improvement (An open sense of self - improvement)

REQUIREMENT

• Apostille of original certificate from University
• Two letters of recommendation.
• Letter of non-criminal record.
• Curriculum with picture and references
• Cover Letter
• Copy of passport
• Tourist Visa
• Birth Certificate

Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 1:10 pm

My comment has not appeared either.It was politely worded and non confrontational.Guess other points of view are unwelcome by this expert. Sad

Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 1:21 pm

More coverage of the study here http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/microsoft/9346371/Nigerian-scam-emails-deliberately-implausible.html#disqus_thread

Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2012 4:04 pm

@Doc, That happens sometimes, must have hurt a nerve somewhere or collided with eater plans elsewhere.
Take a deep breath and let it go, that's how this forums seems to work. Rolling Eyes

Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 12:09 pm

I found this too and I also respectfully disagree with the "expert". First off his logic only applies to a very small portion of 419 emails. Secondly lads would not use a script that does not work. The article is basically saying that if your not stupid you don't have to worry about scams. I may have had a similar point of view before I got involved with baiting and helping victims at SW but lads do not simply target "elderly naive people". They will target anyone and victims come from all age groups and walks of life. I can honestly say out of the hundreds of victims I see posting for help on SW none of them are stupid. They may be less Internet savy or not have a mastery of the English language but that does not make them stupid.

Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 2:59 pm

well, it's the Telegraph, after all. Slighty to the right of Atilla the Hun.

Posted: Sat Jun 23, 2012 4:50 pm

C0rmac H3rley has just become a character in my reply to a hit lad.

Master of Master Baiters Joined: 30 Mar 2012 Posts: 949

The story was up on Yahoo as well. Pretty narrow minded way of looking at scams. I guess all those folks who lost their life savings to people like Bernie Madoff were fooled by badly written letters in broken english?

Not quite a Newb Joined: 30 Apr 2009 Posts: 28

Interesting but very theoretical... I do not think that the lads are making such analysis Smile

Like a lot of other criminal activities, it is a mix of experimentation, luck and opportunity.

And as someone said before, a lot of victims cannot be qualified as stupid.

Take it for what it is.

Personally, if lads continue to reference Nigeria, it is to give some credits to their stories. The country has a lot of corruption's problem and bribery is often one of the reason why you have to pay something...

Just my two cents...

Posted: Mon Jun 25, 2012 5:07 pm

Nailgunner wrote:

Quote:

well, it's the Telegraph, after all. Slighty to the right of Atilla the Hun.

Attilla had a nasty habit of impaling enemies, which could be a little drastic even for scammers.

Had Telegraph Readers have been scammed, and complaind, the article might have been slanted differently. Rolling Eyes