'Internet's first blood sport' (getting even with Nigerian scammers)

TORONTO STAR ^ | 7/12/04 | PATRICK CAIN

[Liz]

.......the (Nigerian) scam has spawned a growing Internet subculture of people who decided that they wouldn't just hit the delete key when they are sent the lure: They'd get even, and have fun doing it. They invented "scambaiting": faking interest in a 419 scam artist's scheme and wasting his time with drawn-out, bizarre e-mail exchanges than can go on for months. ........

Nothing better to do?

[Rebelbase]

http://www.ebolamonkeyman.com

[1Old Pro]

Didn't you see the anti-scammers post here on FR?

[Alberta's Child]

Who is the Freeper who strung along one of these Nigerian scam artists for weeks, and eventually got her to send photos of herself with signs that said "Freepers Rule!" and "DU Sucks!" ?

[EggsAckley]

I'm laughing out loud! Just desserts, indeed!

[aruanan]

Yeah, EbolaMonkeyMan is a funny site. Sister Anita Hanchob!

[Straight Vermonter]

Check this.

[ken5050]

Link please..PRETTY PLEASE???..

[KarlInOhio]

they created what has been called "the Internet's first blood sport."

Don't blood sports usually involve more, well, blood?

This is about as silly as "Crank calls: the telephone's first blood sport".

[ken5050]

"...Nothing better to do....?"

Tonight's BIG QUESTION...is it better to spend one's time trying to scam Nigerian scammers, or to go on DU and try and have a rational discussion?... (I rest my case)

[1Old Pro]

is it better to spend one's time trying to scam Nigerian scammers, or to go on DU and try and have a rational discussion?...

Either way you're likely to get a belly laugh.

[Alouette]

Who is the Freeper who strung along one of these Nigerian scam artists for weeks, and eventually got her to send photos of herself with signs that said "Freepers Rule!" and "DU Sucks!" ?

Lowbridge

[SpyGuy]

Last year, 166 Canadian victims were known to have lost $6.2 million to the scam

Which works out to an average of just under $40,000 per victim. That's a hell of a lot of disposable income for a stupid/greedy person to have (and give away). It's one thing to be conned in person or over the phone, but what kind of person gets conned by one of these absurd email frauds?

As for the "fun & games" of hoaxing the hoaxers, if people can develop this level of intimate correspondence with the criminals to the point of actually meeting them, then why can't law enforcement agencies shut these guys down? I realize that Nigeria probably has no interest in enforcing their Penal Code 419, but it sounds like the scammers are working in other countries as well (Amsterdam was mentioned in the article). Where is Interpol?

[jslade]

That would be "lowbridge".

[mastercylinder]

go to http//www.scamoroma.com
for examples of this artical

[Hatteras]

"Last year, 166 Canadian victims were known to have lost $6.2 million to the scam..."

And probably 2 or 3 times as many victims and dollars lost here in the U.S. I say good for them, the stupid idiots. Anyone that would fall for this crap deserves to get soaked.

[Alberta's Child]

Lowbridge Scams the Nigerian 419 E-mail Scammers

WARNING: Go to the bathroom before you go through this thread -- I nearly peed in my pants as I read through all of these stories. The story in which he poses as a "Dr. Marcus Welby" is particularly hilarious . . . over the course of several weeks, the 419 scam is put on hold as Dr. Welby is first arrested for molesting children, then dies in a horrific car accident after he escapes from jail and is involved in a high-speed chase.

[scott0347]

For later reading.

I just got one from Japan:

MR. WANG QIN
HANG SENG BANK LTD.
DES VOEUX RD. BRANCH,
CENTRAL HONG KONG,
HONK KONG.

I am Mr. Wang Qin credit officer of the Hang Seng Bank Ltd.I have a concealed
business suggestion for you.


Before the U.S and Iraqi war, our client General. Ibrahim Moussa who was
with the Iraqi forces and also business man made a numbered fixed deposit
for 18 calendar months, with a value of Twenty millions Five Hundred Thousand
United State Dollars only in my branch.

snip....blah, blah, blah, ......snip

Your earliest response to this letter will be appreciated.


Kind Regards
Wang Qin

[ken5050]

Many thanks..just took a quick glance..I've bookmarked it to read during Ted Kennedy's speech at the DNC...

[ken5050]

You should write him back ASAP..tell him you'll pay $25 million in gold for WMDs..maybe THEY can find the stuff..