# Fucking scammer motherfuckers **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 28, 2022, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-scammer-motherfuckers/977240 "2022-12-28T21:57:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 15
**Author:** ![OldOlds](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a3d4f5/32.png) [@OldOlds](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OldOlds)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2024, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-scammer-motherfuckers/977240/281 "2024-02-23T21:00:54Z")
I received one of those texts today. “Sarah? Is that you? I lost my phone and contacts. It’s me, Lisa. It’s been a long time since we spoke” For the uninitiated, this accidental conversation will eventually lead to the scammer sending me a supposed picture of herself. She will be beautiful, and the goal will be to get me to give my new girlfriend money. I get these often. I do not know why. I responded with “We haven’t spoken because you’re some dude in Malaysia pretending to be a hot chick. I’m not sending you any money, but I’ll take the pics if you don’t mind.” That was the end of that. But I felt surprisingly good about the whole thing. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [February 24, 2024, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-scammer-motherfuckers/977240/282 "2024-02-24T17:42:43Z")
But. . .but. . .I thought Lisa loved _ME._ ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2024, 12:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-scammer-motherfuckers/977240/283 "2024-02-26T12:58:58Z")
> [@OldOlds](#): > > I received one of those texts today. > > “Sarah? Is that you? I lost my phone and contacts. It’s me, Lisa. It’s been a long time since we spoke” I always just “report and delete”, an option my iPhone gives me when I get a message from someone not in my contacts. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [February 26, 2024, 5:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-scammer-motherfuckers/977240/284 "2024-02-26T17:39:53Z")
I just laugh at the calls I get claiming to be a friend… my friends text. Hmm, I can’t think of a single friend that hasn’t figured out that I never pick up. they know I’ll be happy to text… or better yet, meet at a bar/diner/coffee place. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2024, 3:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-scammer-motherfuckers/977240/285 "2024-02-28T15:38:15Z")
I have few enough friends they’re all in my contact list and show up as _Clark Johnson_ not _Potential Scammer_ or a phone number a couple digits off from my own. I warn people I give my number to they’ll have to leave a message the first time they call. Most nod understandingly. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2024, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-scammer-motherfuckers/977240/286 "2024-02-28T15:55:22Z")
> [@DesertDog](#): > > I warn people I give my number to they’ll have to leave a message the first time they call. I warn people I give my number to (and a rarity they are) that I will quickly respond to a text with a text reply, but that I do not answer calls and only read my voicemails once a day or so. I also warn people not to give out my number. A friend once (drunk) gave my number to a woman he was trying to get to know better. He thought I could help her out with a problem they were discussing. When she called and her voicemail told me how she’d gotten my number, I texted back asking that she delete my number, and if she talked to the guy who gave it to her, please let him know I was going no contact with him. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2024, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-scammer-motherfuckers/977240/287 "2024-02-28T18:22:50Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > I warn people I give my number to (and a rarity they are) that I will quickly respond to a text with a text reply, but that I do not answer calls and only read my voicemails once a day or so. Y’all have inspired me to set up my voicemail greeting (never bothered to do that…) with a recording that says “You’re _calling_ me?!? Well, you clearly don’t know me then. Look, I don’t answer calls, and it takes a while for me to check voicemails. If this is important, text me. Thanks.” ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2024, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-scammer-motherfuckers/977240/288 "2024-02-28T18:37:00Z")
Excellent! ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2024, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-scammer-motherfuckers/977240/289 "2024-02-28T20:46:06Z")
My VM message says that I only answer calls from known numbers (and frequently not even then), and that if the caller doesn’t leave a message the number will be blocked (and it will be). ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2024, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-scammer-motherfuckers/977240/290 "2024-02-28T21:29:34Z")
I thought a lot of scammers are texting – not calling or leaving VMs. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 28, 2024, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-scammer-motherfuckers/977240/291 "2024-02-28T21:50:42Z")
I get both but most of the spam on my phone **is** from texts. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2024, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-scammer-motherfuckers/977240/292 "2024-02-29T13:39:08Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > I thought a lot of scammers are texting I get a few scam texts every day. Apple recognizes them and asks if I want to report and block the number, which I do. There’s a subreddit devoted to people who fuck with text scammers. They aren’t as good as @Mangetout or @running_coach but they are funny. r/ScammerPayback ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2024, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-scammer-motherfuckers/977240/293 "2024-02-29T15:31:46Z")
> [@kayaker](#): > > r/ScammerPayback Thank you for delightfully wasting 45 minutes of my time. Now I kind of want a scam text. ---
**Author:** ![Yllaria](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/yllaria/32/3452_2.png) [@Yllaria](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yllaria)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2024, 7:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-scammer-motherfuckers/977240/294 "2024-02-29T19:22:25Z")
It’s hard to respect a scammer who’s saying they’re the USPS and that they can’t read the address of the package they’re trying to deliver but **they somehow have your phone number** and can text you. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 29, 2024, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-scammer-motherfuckers/977240/295 "2024-02-29T19:28:57Z")
Every time I get those texts or calls I ask them what my name is. They try to change the subject (assuming it’s a person). I flat-out tell them that their scam needs a little work. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2024, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-scammer-motherfuckers/977240/296 "2024-03-01T00:34:16Z")
John Oliver kills it: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLPpl2ISKTg](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pLPpl2ISKTg) 10, 20, or 30 years ago, scamming relied upon either the stupidity of its victims or -less emphasized- hitting the vics at a vulnerable time of their life, due to old age or a sequence of bad luck, so that good judgment was suspended. Send out 10 million messages, get 1 million prospects and maybe 100 hits. Though 10 will do. Or even one. This scam operates at a higher level. It’s a slower burn: The idea is to reel you in with a few days of banter (could be as long as one month) followed by… **an appeal to get you to load an app on your phone**. An app that has good ratings at the app store. Your friend will guide you through it. Or not. No need to send him money. That’s not exactly my vulnerability: crypto phone apps aren’t my thing, even established ones. But I gotta say, the bad guys seem clever enough to locate something that might be my (currently unknown) vulnerability. Wiki article: > **[Pig butchering scam](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pig_butchering_scam)** > > A pig butchering scam is a type of confidence trick and investment fraud in which victims are gradually lured into making increasing contributions, in the form of cryptocurrency, to a seemingly sound investment before the party they are dealing with disappears. The name alludes to the practice of fattening a hog before slaughter. Significantly, these scams have evolved into a global concern, impacting victims worldwide with substantial financial losses. > This type of fraud originated in Southeast... Brian Krebs: > **[Krebs Warns of 'Pig Butchering' Financial Scams](https://www.secureworld.io/industry-news/krebs-pig-butchering-financial-scams)** > > Independent investigative reporter Brian Krebs discusses the rising trend in cybercrime known as 'pig butchering' and how to avoid becoming a victim. > The victims are usually either young and single or older and single individuals. The scammers aim to show a romantic relationship with the victims and gain their trust. Once a connection is formed, the scammers introduce the victims to a fake cryptocurrency investment platform. The platform appears legitimate and promises high returns on investments within a brief period. The victims are encouraged to invest more money, often by a dedicated investment advisor or mentor provided by the scammers. > The investment platform may display fake trading data, giving the illusion of successful investments and large earnings. However, when victims try to withdraw their funds or move them to another platform, complications arise. The scammers may request more payments for taxes or fees, claiming that it is necessary to access the funds. Ultimately, the victims end up losing their money and the scammers disappear. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2024, 1:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-scammer-motherfuckers/977240/297 "2024-03-01T01:18:47Z")
> [@Measure\_for\_Measure](#): > > The victims are usually either young and single or older and single individuals. I am pretty sure “young or older” kind of covers everything. Maybe just say “single people”. ---
**Author:** ![Dewey\_Finn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dewey_finn/32/4222_2.png) [@Dewey\_Finn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dewey_Finn)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2024, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-scammer-motherfuckers/977240/298 "2024-03-01T01:23:27Z")
More important than single is that they’re lonely people. ---
**Author:** ![Measure\_for\_Measure](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/measure_for_measure/32/557_2.png) [@Measure\_for\_Measure](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Measure_for_Measure)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2024, 1:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-scammer-motherfuckers/977240/299 "2024-03-01T01:27:12Z")
Getting someone to install a recommended app on their phone doesn’t seem like a deep psychological manipulation. ---
**Author:** ![DesertDog](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/desertdog/32/11503_2.png) [@DesertDog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DesertDog)\ **Post date:** [March 1, 2024, 2:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-scammer-motherfuckers/977240/300 "2024-03-01T02:39:08Z")
> [@Atamasama](#): > > Every time I get those texts or calls I ask them what my name is. They try to change the subject I messed with one of the car warranty scammers by asking them what make of car I had. “Oh, no, sir. _You_ have to tell us for security purposes.” “So, let me get this straight. If you tell me I have, say, a Jeep and I’m all, ‘Yeah, yeah, I have a Jeep,’ then when something needs work I bring it in and it isn’t a Jeep you’re _still_ gonna honor the warranty?” \>click\< [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-scammer-motherfuckers/977240.md?page=14) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fucking-scammer-motherfuckers/977240.md?page=16)