Baiting 419ers Is Pretty Amusing, But Doesn't Do A Whole Lot To Solve The Problem

from the bereft-of-life dept

The continuing battle with 419ers and other internet scammers lives on, as police around the world make periodic busts -- including one that recently ensnared the singer of the 419er anthem "I Go Chop Your Dollar". But the scam lives on, as the internet provides a nearly endless supply of victims who really should have known better. Meanwhile, scambaiting -- the act of scamming the scammers -- thrives, too, as people look to waste the time and money of scammers, and amuse themselves in the process. While some of the tales are certainly amusing -- like such classics as the P-P-P-Powerbook, or the more recent video of some 419ers recreating the Dead Parrot sketch of Monty Python fame at the behest of a scambaiter -- they're hardly making a dent in the overall problem. Like with spam, it's really the victims themselves that are keeping 419s and other scams alive. If people would stop falling for their ridiculous claims, they'd eliminate the market for the scams. Of course, as the old adage says, there's a sucker born every minute, so it seems that the scams will live on for a while yet.
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  1. identicon
    Cisco, 3 Jul 2007 @ 4:37am

    The Old Saying.....

    "A fool and his money are soon parted" still is true.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  2. identicon
    gustopher, 3 Jul 2007 @ 5:13am

    I've done my fair share of scam-baiting and yes, it is never going to solve the overall problem.

    However, it does make a difference. Every email, photo, ridiculous challenge, road trip or whatever we manage to make the 419'er do at our behest, it is less time available for them to scam some innocent. It uses up their time, their precious internet cafe slot, their photocopying facilities etc etc. It may be a drop in the ocean, but it helps.

    We also have managed to warn countless people being scammed as to what's going on - that, in itself, is a victory.

    European & US authorities are underfunded, under-resourced, or just plain don't care enough to genuinely chase these people up - many baiters can confirm from experience this is the case.

    The biggest problem of all, however, is the dumb, stupid public. Not only those that fall for these scams, but particularly those who we, as baiters, warn that they are being scammed who refuse to accept the fact (and then warn the scammers that WE are the bad guys). No sympathy for these people and hope they get fleeced.

    Anyway, for me it was just a laugh - if it was doing good at the same time, then so much the better.

    Lik Mybum
    Ansmellmyfarts PLC
    (part-time baiter)

    link to this | view in thread ]

  3. identicon
    AST, 3 Jul 2007 @ 5:39am

    I get them all ready to take my money. I say my sister works in a bank and I can have everything done in no time.

    When they want an account and routing number I give them the one off the bottom of my work check. US GOVERNMENT. When they want a phone number I give them the Secret Service.

    Fun.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  4. icon
    James (profile), 3 Jul 2007 @ 6:21am

    Fun

    Did this guy get paid or compensated in any way for such a lame article? Of course it does not solve a problem. I bait them for personal amusement. I do not belive that any time I waste for the 419er is helping anybody in any way whatever.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  5. identicon
    Overcast, 3 Jul 2007 @ 6:39am

    It's like some kind of circus in 1920 with all the freaks out of their cages, lol.

    Are they so hung up on making a buck they are willing to act like that? I guess so... I'm glad my mind isn't that 'simple'.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  6. identicon
    Lewis Salem, 3 Jul 2007 @ 7:15am

    Scambaiting.

    I agree with gustopher. In the absence of the Nigerian government doing anything about it, we have to take the law into our own hands. If it is "a game" as Nkem Owoh says, then let us dictate the rules.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  7. identicon
    BadDog357, 3 Jul 2007 @ 7:43am

    Reward anyone???

    I think there should be a monetary reward each year for the person that can have a 419er make the biggest ass of themselves for the longest period of time. I for one will through $20.00 into the kitty. Anyone else???

    link to this | view in thread ]

  8. identicon
    Cixelsid, 3 Jul 2007 @ 8:05am

    LOL

    Dees parrot ees bleeding deemised!

    link to this | view in thread ]

  9. identicon
    dotlizard, 3 Jul 2007 @ 9:28am

    Re: Reward anyone???

    i'm in for twenty.

    it's a given that for every scambaiter who takes the time to waste the scammers' time and resources, there is that much less left to scam with. And if enough people do it, it becomes more of a deterrent -- as the scammers become increasingly jumpy and suspicious, they're going to be less effective. And if offering a reward for the most creative practitioner of the art of scambaiting motivates more people to jump in, so much the better.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  10. identicon
    FLJerseyBoy, 3 Jul 2007 @ 10:59am

    Re: Reward anyone???

    I think TechDirt should throw in up to a million bucks. Heh.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  11. identicon
    Anonymous Coward, 3 Jul 2007 @ 5:35pm

    Hey Cixelsid

    No he's just resting.

    link to this | view in thread ]

  12. identicon
    slartibartfast, 3 Jul 2007 @ 10:40pm

    fun with dick and jane

    I love baiting the scammers, just like I love baiting the cockroaches who call me at dinner time trying to sell me stuff. Probably doesn't do that much good but it amuses me.

    link to this | view in thread ]


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