I need help...

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Hello I'm New here! Joined: 30 Jul 2016 Posts: 1

Last week I stupidly fell for a scam and lost almost 4k. A few days later I've been approached again by a similar scammer. Is there any way that I can get them back for scamming me? Is there any way I can try to get any money from them? Any advice will be much appreaciated. Thanks

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 2:13 pm

Welcome, and thanks for posting.

First things first - Don't act hastily. These guys probably have a lot of info on you by now and if they think you are acting against them things could get nasty. Don't take that risk. If you drop out and just stop talking to them, they will get the message and move on. That's something they are used to. prospective victims or "Clients" as the lads refer to them see the light and escape all the time. Remove yourself quietly, and it's just another day at the office.

You can make a difference by posting their information and scam format at our sister site scamwarners.com, or list it here and I'll transfer it over. Give us everything you have - email, phone numbers, the works. If anyone else is approached by this crew and they google their details, they will find our warning and know to leave well alone.

But as for yourself, you're too close to them to act directly so you should keep a safe distance. Don't feel bad about nearly falling for it, these guys are very convincing. Just be glad you got out in time.

Not quite a Newb Joined: 02 Aug 2013 Posts: 59

^ I think you misread that. He wrote that he lost almost 4k, not that he almost lost 4k.

The most important thing is, as Nailgunner wrote, to walk away from them immediately with your current email account for the reasons he wrote.

If you want, you can open a new email account and start to bait them, with no reference to your case. This is what this forum is all about. Before you do that, please read the stickies around here, especially about save baiting.

Please note: you asked if you can get your money back. In short: you can't. It's gone, you have no way to get it back.

There is a form of scam baiting where you try to extract money from the scammers. But this is next to impossible for a beginner and it might be illegal in your country and it is therefore not allowed to discuss this on this website.

cow

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 2:58 pm

cowfordinner wrote:

If you want, you can open a new email account and start to bait them, with no reference to your case.

This is absolutely the last thing that the OP should be doing as he will be acting on revenge - and is libel to get too involved and make mistakes. The best thing for them to do is put all thoughts of revenge to one side and walk away.

cowfordinner wrote:

it might be illegal in your country and it is therefore not allowed to discuss this on this website.

It's called fraud and it's illegal in every civilised country Wink

- which is why it is not discussed or condoned here.

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 3:27 pm

B8er wrote:

This is absolutely the last thing that the OP should be doing as he will be acting on revenge - and is libel to get too involved and make mistakes.

Wiser words have rarely been spoken. Revenge, while it might be a natural reaction, is a poor motivator in the long run. And more than one victim of a crime (not only fraud) that I know personally will tell you that it does not ultimately bring the satisfaction you seek. Academics have written along similar lines. The existing evidence points to saying that revenge does not heal. It only ends up hurting more. And in our case that might be doubly so due to what the wise colleague above implied. Please drop the idea and concentrate on more healthy means of getting over the experience.

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 4:01 pm

Oh, crap. Yeah, you're right, I did. Sorry about that.

General advice still applies: You should let these guys go. You're too close and you're likely to overreach, and if they know where you live and who you are, that's bad.

If you want to get involved with baiting, use an inert lad that you've no real life connection to.

@cowfordinner: Cashbaiting suggestions? Seriously? No. just no. Don't get this thread locked.

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 4:03 pm

seekingrevengee, I'm sorry you found us this way and have lost money. Let's clear a few things up.

Yes, walk away, immediately, stop all contact no matter how tempting it may be. Often, scammers will confess and then give you a sob story. Too many times, this can play on your empathy and despite knowing better, still cause you to send money, again. Also, know that they will attempt to send emails, from other accounts, with a "recovery scam." In this, they will try to convince you they can recover your money, for a fee, of course. They can't.
Unfortunately, your money is gone. The odds of getting it back from this scammer, who is most likely in another country where law enforcement looks the other way, are against you. Tracking them down is near impossible, and if you did, then what?
cowfordinner states, "If you want, you can open a new email account and start to bait them, with no reference to your case. This is what this forum is all about." No, this is not what we are about. We are not an outlet for victims. Visit a scam resource site, such as our sister site https://www.scamwarners.com/ They are equipped to help you.
It was also stated, "There is a form of scam baiting where you try to extract money from the scammers." Again, no there isn't. There are forms of fraud where you try to extract money from other criminals. But, fraud is fraud, no matter who does it.

With that said, I do believe in revenge. If you want to hurt the scammer, follow Nailgunner's advice:

Quote:

You can make a difference by posting their information and scam format at our sister site scamwarners.com, or list it here and I'll transfer it over. Give us everything you have - email, phone numbers, the works. If anyone else is approached by this crew and they google their details, they will find our warning and know to leave well alone.

Provide everything. Make their information visible to search engines so anybody that goes looking will see what's going on and the scammer won't earn money. You want to hurt them? Take away future earnings.

Not quite a Newb Joined: 02 Aug 2013 Posts: 59

I apologise to the readers and to seekingrevengee for bringing up the possibilities. I must have left my empathy at home.

cow

Posted: Mon Aug 01, 2016 8:25 pm

Sucks. Sorry to hear you lost your cash to these scumtards.