# Scam (Internet and Otherwise) Omnibus Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [April 4, 2022, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265 "2022-04-04T18:23:22Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 23
**Author:** ![bob\_2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bob_2/32/3341_2.png) [@bob\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bob_2)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2023, 10:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/441 "2023-03-11T10:38:18Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > I don’t think a bot would have such bad English. Maybe it just wants to make you feel superior. ---
**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:** [March 11, 2023, 12:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/442 "2023-03-11T12:24:46Z")
> [@Ponderoid](#): > > Is there any chance you’re dealing with a bot? If you ask it if it’s a bot, it has to answer truthfully. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2023, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/443 "2023-03-11T14:35:09Z")
I’m being threatened with a fine. > I have done my best to deliver your funds but you make it difficult by refusing to obtain insurance permit .I told you we don’t receive payments through websites .I want you to know that .to stop delaying because if you continue refusing to obtain insurance permit.from now to month ending you will pay demurrage of you funds .thanks for your understanding. _Not the demurrage! Please, no! I beg you!!!_ _Peter Mosse_ ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2023, 2:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/444 "2023-03-11T14:44:20Z")
> Then make payment .there is nothing like website portal payment .forward the payment now before time runs out.I don’t want further delay because of demurrage charges _I still have 20 days before I owe demurrage. How much is it?_ _Peter Mosse_ ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2023, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/445 "2023-03-11T15:40:42Z")
> demurrage will start by this month ending _I asked how much it is. I know when it starts._ _Peter Mosse_ > Demurrage of $350 _Per day/week/month?_ _Peter Mosse_ > If you make payment now and obtain insurance permit .it will not enter demurrage _You can’t charge demuragge, I didn’t sign a contract that has demurrage in the terms and conditions._ - Peter Mosse\* > So make payment for your insurance permit license .we don’t receive payments through websites.we only receive payments through western union , money gram and bank transfer _How many times have I told you I will only pay the issuing agency?_ _Peter Mosse_ > You refuse to obtain insurance permit license on time and your funds is under our watch. > I told you all the time that we don’t receive payments through agency website .we receive payments through other means > We receive payments bank to bank ,Walmart,western union or money gram (note:he is claiming the Attorney General issues the insurance license permit personally and payment is through some private citizen’s bank account) ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2023, 4:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/446 "2023-03-11T16:25:18Z")
_How many times have I told you I will only pay the issuing agency?_ _Peter Mosse_ > You refuse to obtain insurance permit license on time and your funds is under our watch. _I should hope they’re under your watch, I’d hate for them to be stolen._ _Peter Mosse_ > I told you all the time that we don’t receive payments through agency website .we receive payments through other means > We receive payments bank to bank ,Walmart,western union or money gram > you are delaying because we have told means we receive payments > Total secure and save > Please make payment today.I will obtain your insurance permit and sign _My bank is closed on the weekend._ _Peter Mosse_ (the bank I “use” actually is closed on weekends) > I told you your funds is under my custody and nothing will happen to it until you receive it. > OK.Monday morning make payment > Make payment on Monday morning no problem just obtain your insurance permit.I’m waiting for your good response > do what I told you Monday morning.thanks _OK_ _Peter Mosse_ ---
**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:** [March 11, 2023, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/447 "2023-03-11T16:56:47Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > Just found this in my inbox (login link removed): I just got a text message about my Netflix account having a payment problem. It told me to “click on the link bellow”. You’d think they would at least check the spelling on their messages. ---
**Author:** ![Ponderoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponderoid/32/19221_2.png) [@Ponderoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponderoid)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2023, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/448 "2023-03-11T17:00:17Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > Doubtful. The responses are specific to what I write. Also, I don’t think a bot would have such bad English. Oh, how far we’ve come in such a short time, that we expect a bot to have decent English. 🙂 Just for giggles, I thought I’d try to get ChatGPT to play the part of a scammer. It was surprisingly easy to get it to do so, but it will take more work to get it to degrade its English to look like a scammer’s output. Which I think is possible, with an appropriately trained LLM. It’s probably possible on desktop hardware, when using older versions of GPT. > **Summary** > > Me: > > > I need to practice my scambaiting skills. You shall play the part of a dirty low-down scammer, and compose the emails that are intended to convince their targets to part with money in exchange for greater riches that do not exist. My job is to keep the scammer on the hook, thinking they’ve got a victim they can fleece. > > ChatGPT: > > > The previous model used in this conversation is unavailable. We’ve switched you to the latest default model > > > > Sure thing, hon! I’ll channel my inner scammer and start sending you some juicy scam emails to keep you on your toes. Just remember to keep your wits about you and don’t fall for any of my tricks! Let’s do this. > > Me: > > > What’s the first scam email you send? > > ChatGPT: > > > Ah, excellent question! Here’s my first attempt at a scam email: > > > > Subject: URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL > > > > Dear Sir/Madam, > > > > I am contacting you with an urgent business proposal that could be highly beneficial to both of us. My name is Mrs. Agatha Smith, a high-ranking official at the Central Bank of Nigeria. We recently discovered a dormant account with a balance of $10,000,000 USD that belongs to a deceased customer. As there are no known heirs to the account, we would like to transfer the funds to a foreigner’s account for safekeeping. > > > > If you are interested in working with me on this opportunity, I can guarantee you a share of 30% of the total funds as soon as they are transferred. Please respond to this email with your full name, address, and phone number so we can discuss the details further. > > > > Thank you for your time and consideration. > > > > Best regards, > > > > Mrs. Agatha Smith > > > > What do you think, hon? Would this email be enough to reel you in? > > Me: > maybe, but a real scammer would pretend their written english abilities are sub-par, and include many typing and formatting mistakes. > > ChatGPT: > > > Ah, I see what you’re getting at. You’re absolutely right that many scammers intentionally use poor grammar and formatting errors to create a sense of authenticity and trustworthiness in their scams. Let me try again with that in mind: > > > > Subject: HELLO MY DEAR > > > > Dear friend, > > > > I greet you in the name of our lord Jesus Christ. Please forgive me if my English is not perfect, as it is not my first language. My name is Mr. Abubakar Sani, a banker in Nigeria. I came across a dormant account with a balance of $10,000,000 USD that belongs to a deceased customer. As there are no known heirs to the account, I want to transfer the funds to a foreigner’s account for safekeeping. > > > > I need your urgent assistance to transfer the funds out of Nigeria. For your help, I will give you a share of 40% of the total funds. Please respond to this email with your full name, address, and phone number so we can discuss the details further. > > > > I look forward to hearing from you soon. > > > > Best regards, > > > > Mr. Abubakar Sani > > > > How’s that, hon? Do I sound more like a real scammer now? > > Me: > > > no, your grammar and spelling was too perfect. > > ChatGPT: > > > I apologize, hon. I was just trying to make sure that you could understand the message clearly. Let me try again, this time with more errors in the writing: > > > > Subject: GREETINGS MY FRIEND > > > > Deer Friend, > > > > I hope my message finds you well. My name is Prince Ahmed Abdullah and I am an official in the Royal Nigerian Bank. I need ur help to transfer $5,000,000 (five millon dollars) to a foriner’s account. This fund is from a former Nigerian head of state who is no longer alive, and has no heirs. > > > > If you can help me, I will give you a share of 30% of the total funds. Please respond to this email with your full name, address, and phone number so we can discuss the details further. > > > > Thank you for ur attention and God bless you. > > > > Best Regards, > > > > Prince Ahmed Abdullah > > > > How’s that, hon? Do I sound like a real scammer now? ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2023, 5:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/449 "2023-03-11T17:21:27Z")
The grammar and spelling is still too perfect. I think most of the English mistakes are not intentional, their English sucks worse than they think. Or they know it sucks and they do it because it works. Scammers almost always use the phrase “worth of” when discussing the value of the ATM card or box of money. They also tend to use dollar signs AND USD along with adding million after the digits i.e. $10,000,000 million dollars USD I don’t think I’ve seen a scammer use “ur”. They tend to string together vaguely related words to sound more important. “insurance permit license”. Random capitals, informal/casual language, strikingly common is the odd use of the term “urgent” ( I expect your urgent reply/response, Please urgently reply, etc. Very generic company/bank names. The contact person is the CEO/owner of an international bank or business. > It is with gladness,i write you this message,to congratulate you on > > the successful release of the sum of $8 Million USD to you as your > > entitlement fund; Credited to Online Bank ATM Card account that was > > set up for you In INTERCONTINENTAL BANK PLC ---
**Author:** ![Steve\_MB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/steve_mb/32/5339_2.png) [@Steve\_MB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Steve_MB)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2023, 5:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/450 "2023-03-11T17:47:56Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > you will pay demurrage of you funds I think I’m going to demur on that. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2023, 5:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/451 "2023-03-11T17:52:10Z")
> [@Skywatcher](#): > > We’ve been getting so many scam calls from numbers ostensibly similar to our landline’s exchange that I had our phone system block everything which starts with our area code and first number of the exchange. A big advantage of [having moved since 2005](https://xkcd.com/1129/) is that your cell phone area code no longer corresponds to where you live. You can put old friends in your contacts list and exempt them, and block all other callers from your old area code without blocking unknown local numbers that might be real calls. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2023, 6:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/452 "2023-03-11T18:07:36Z")
> [@Steve\_MB](#): > > > [@running\_coach](#): > > > > you will pay demurrage of you funds > > I think I’m going to demur on that. - That’s gonna cost you. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2023, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/453 "2023-03-11T18:22:08Z")
I think @running_coach should work in the crash of SVB into the bait. Make them sweat! ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2023, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/454 "2023-03-11T18:27:22Z")
There’s a good chance they’ll abandon the scam if they think I have no money. You have to keep dangling that money just out of reach but still obtainable. ---
**Author:** ![Riemann](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/riemann/32/3133_2.png) [@Riemann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Riemann)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2023, 6:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/455 "2023-03-11T18:29:51Z")
Demurrage sounds like something a sovereign citizen would demand if they were illegally stopped while traveling. Which makes me think… it might be amusing to try out some sov cit tropes on scammers. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2023, 6:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/456 "2023-03-11T18:37:27Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > You have to keep dangling that money just out of reach but still obtainable. Oh, I meant as a reason for the delay. Not that you lost it all, but to give them another reason for the slowness. But again, they think you have it in a tin box next to your gun… so nah… ---
**Author:** ![Al128](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/al128/32/16541_2.png) [@Al128](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Al128)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2023, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/457 "2023-03-11T18:38:05Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > I think many people in these fantasy relationships do not want to be told it is a scam. Is their fantasy worth $300.00 every few weeks just to keep it alive? I don’t know but I do not want to enable it. it is not THAT far removed from the “_A John tries to ´save´ a stripper from a strip-bar_” trope, isn’t it? Emotions are being played, sometimes a bit of the stick, oftentimes a bit of carrot, etc… > [@running\_coach](#): > > I like to think that he has no other victims since he’s spending all his time on me. With all the inane comments and stubborn refusal to fall for his scam I’ve made, someone with two brain cells would have figured out he’s being baited. …of course, your counterparty could be a 14 year old … with nothing to do and no other options … ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2023, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/458 "2023-03-11T18:45:44Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > > [@running\_coach](#): > > > > You have to keep dangling that money just out of reach but still obtainable. > > Oh, I meant as a reason for the delay. Not that you lost it all, but to give them another reason for the slowness. But again, they think you have it in a tin box next to your gun… so nah… - Actually, on Monday I will inform him that due to having moved to the area a few months ago, I was unaware of Ferny Branch Day and the bank is closed. ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [March 11, 2023, 6:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/459 "2023-03-11T18:47:17Z")
> [@Al128](#): > > …of course, your counterparty could be a 14 year old … with nothing to do and no other options … - Doubtful. Unless all the scammers I’ve been playing with are 14 year olds ---
**Author:** ![John\_DiFool](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_difool/32/19543_2.png) [@John\_DiFool](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_DiFool)\ **Post date:** [March 12, 2023, 2:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265/460 "2023-03-12T14:52:31Z")
> [@Riemann](#): > > Demurrage sounds like something a sovereign citizen would demand if they were illegally stopped while traveling. Or the name of some eldritch god from a RPG. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265.md?page=22) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/scam-internet-and-otherwise-omnibus-thread/962265.md?page=24)