AIBU or does this look like a scam text message?

CosmicDaisyChain · 2024-08-04T15:27:58+00:00

So I got this unexpected text from someone claiming they had been asked by some professor to pick me up at the airport. Instantly I thought scam so I decided to play along for shits and giggles but now I am having second thoughts it might be a genuine mistake as it doesn’t look like a prerequisite to asking for money or anything. Unsurprisingly they went silent on me 😂 was I too quick off the mark?

SweetFemaleAttitude · 04/08/2024 19:06

I've got second hand embarrassment for that response.

You won't have wasted any scammers time as the tech they use for their fishing expeditions is advanced. They aren't sat their like Saul Goodman surrounded by a hundred mobiles praying someone gets back to them.

Their methods are sophisticated, which is why people fall for them.

They won't have even read to the end of your message so your gender reassignment 'joke' wouldn't have bothered them.

tuvamoodyson · 04/08/2024 18:57

Why on earth did you respond with that? 🙈

sunsetsandboardwalks · 04/08/2024 18:46

DecafDodger · 04/08/2024 18:33

Why would people engage? Human nature. Someone gushing what a wonderful person you are, to let them know it's the wrong number - many people would feel flattered and respond at least something. I've gotten a number of those, always something where the person messaging would be in a bit of a pickle, if they really texted the wrong number - waiting to meet, to be picked up, asked to confirm something etc.

I'm genuinely surprised people would engage and feel flattered by a total stranger texting them, but it takes all sorts I guess

Sethera · 04/08/2024 18:38

DecafDodger · 04/08/2024 18:33

Why would people engage? Human nature. Someone gushing what a wonderful person you are, to let them know it's the wrong number - many people would feel flattered and respond at least something. I've gotten a number of those, always something where the person messaging would be in a bit of a pickle, if they really texted the wrong number - waiting to meet, to be picked up, asked to confirm something etc.

Yes. They then send a photo of a random 'hot babe' and bank on the recipient being some bloke who thinks with his dick.

DecafDodger · 04/08/2024 18:33

Why would people engage? Human nature. Someone gushing what a wonderful person you are, to let them know it's the wrong number - many people would feel flattered and respond at least something. I've gotten a number of those, always something where the person messaging would be in a bit of a pickle, if they really texted the wrong number - waiting to meet, to be picked up, asked to confirm something etc.

LemonChiffon · 04/08/2024 17:33

Most likely a scam. If you had said 'sorry wrong number', they would have apologised, said how kind you were to tell them, and then said 'my name's xxxxx, what's yours?' and sent a photo of 'themselves' (for some reason usually a young attractive Asian woman!). They would then try to befriend you and then proceed with some sort of romance scam to get money out of you.

Notreat · 04/08/2024 17:32

DrusillaLovesSpike · 04/08/2024 17:15

because the scammer then goes "oh wrong number, lets chat" and then there is a link

Easy to pretend to wrong number

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But would many people then engage? It seems a very strange thing to do.
I just ignore any messages from people I don't know. I think that's the best way to deal with scam messages

ChubSeedsYorkie · 04/08/2024 17:26

SauviGone · 04/08/2024 16:48

It doesn't look like a scam at all, it's a simple wrong number by someone who as a PP said, possibly doesn't have English as a first language.

What a bizzare response by you

This. It’s not even a funny response I feel a bit cringe for the OP. Very odd.

AndyAtArrivals · 04/08/2024 17:23

Bloody hell! How long do I have to wait for a lift to meet the professor? I was assured there’d be a driver.

I’ve been here at Stansted for 3 hours now.

Can anyone help?

sunsetsandboardwalks · 04/08/2024 17:19

DrusillaLovesSpike · 04/08/2024 17:15

because the scammer then goes "oh wrong number, lets chat" and then there is a link

Easy to pretend to wrong number

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I guess I just don't understand why anyone who wasn't called Andy would respond in the first place, let alone start to chat with a total stranger

Maybe other people are more sociable than me, hah.

NippyCrab · 04/08/2024 17:16

🤣🤣🤣 sweet cheeks lol

DrusillaLovesSpike · 04/08/2024 17:15

sunsetsandboardwalks · 04/08/2024 16:50

How would it work as a scam unless you happen to be called Andy and need a lift from an airport today?

I really think you've jumped the shark with this one!

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because the scammer then goes "oh wrong number, lets chat" and then there is a link

Easy to pretend to wrong number

PuppyMonkey · 04/08/2024 17:13

I hope Andy’s okay.

Sethera · 04/08/2024 17:13

Reallybadidea · 04/08/2024 17:02

It's so specific with the name, the professor and the airport, that they'd need to message an incredibly large number of random people for anyone to fall for a it. And if it was a scam, do you really think they'd be scared off by you sending a daft reply? You've wasted their time and yours and probably Andy is stuck at the airport now.

There is a middle ground between being totally naive and being alert to scams. This isn't it.

If 'Andy' even exists, the OP isn't responsible for getting him home. She doesn't have his number to pass on - 'the professor' and his chums would have to recheck their records and get the right number, or wait for Andy to phone them; or Andy could get a taxi when he landed ...

My money is on it being a random 'intriguing' message for scam purposes, though, and as in the linked article from pp, a few messages later OP would find herself being invited to invest in Bitcoin.

Original poster

CosmicDaisyChain · 04/08/2024 17:07

Reallybadidea · 04/08/2024 17:02

It's so specific with the name, the professor and the airport, that they'd need to message an incredibly large number of random people for anyone to fall for a it. And if it was a scam, do you really think they'd be scared off by you sending a daft reply? You've wasted their time and yours and probably Andy is stuck at the airport now.

There is a middle ground between being totally naive and being alert to scams. This isn't it.

It's been explained above with the link that the specifics may be meaningless. If I've wasted a scammers time I'm more than happy with that.

OP posts:

sunsetsandboardwalks · 04/08/2024 17:03

DecafDodger · 04/08/2024 17:01

How would it work as a scam unless you happen to be called Andy and need a lift from an airport today?

https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/wrong-number-text-scam-rcna39793

Fair enough, not something I've ever heard of or experienced. I just delete and block weird messages though, it would genuinely never occur to me to respond.

Reallybadidea · 04/08/2024 17:02

It's so specific with the name, the professor and the airport, that they'd need to message an incredibly large number of random people for anyone to fall for a it. And if it was a scam, do you really think they'd be scared off by you sending a daft reply? You've wasted their time and yours and probably Andy is stuck at the airport now.

There is a middle ground between being totally naive and being alert to scams. This isn't it.

DecafDodger · 04/08/2024 17:01

How would it work as a scam unless you happen to be called Andy and need a lift from an airport today?

https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/wrong-number-text-scam-rcna39793

sunsetsandboardwalks · 04/08/2024 16:58

CosmicDaisyChain · 04/08/2024 16:56

That’s exactly what I thought. You do get some random ones which rely on you responding to correct them and it then
opens up a dialogue with them where they can move things on.

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So why not just ignore it?

The worst thing you can do with scammers is answer, as it just tells them you're an active number so they'll try it even more.

Original poster

CosmicDaisyChain · 04/08/2024 16:56

Sethera · 04/08/2024 16:53

It's not an obvious route into a scam because it would be a huge coincidence if you did happen to be expecting a 'professor' to pick you up at an airport, and unless you were, you wouldn't be sending taxi fares etc.

However, some scammers do send random-sounding messages simply to open up a dialogue; it could be one of those on the assumption that a kindly person wouldn't want Andy to be stranded, so would likely reply to correct the scammer who might then continue the conversation.

Best advice is to ignore unexpected messages. If it's a genuine situation and the person has any sense they would check the number if no one responded.

That’s exactly what I thought. You do get some random ones which rely on you responding to correct them and it then
opens up a dialogue with them where they can move things on.

OP posts:

Werweisswohin · 04/08/2024 16:56

'Think you've got a wrong number.'
No further dialogue needed.

Sethera · 04/08/2024 16:53

It's not an obvious route into a scam because it would be a huge coincidence if you did happen to be expecting a 'professor' to pick you up at an airport, and unless you were, you wouldn't be sending taxi fares etc.

However, some scammers do send random-sounding messages simply to open up a dialogue; it could be one of those on the assumption that a kindly person wouldn't want Andy to be stranded, so would likely reply to correct the scammer who might then continue the conversation.

Best advice is to ignore unexpected messages. If it's a genuine situation and the person has any sense they would check the number if no one responded.

Cinai2 · 04/08/2024 16:50

I’d say wrong number. I’d send another text to say ‘joking, you’ve got the wrong number, mate’

sunsetsandboardwalks · 04/08/2024 16:50

CosmicDaisyChain · 04/08/2024 16:47

My bad 😬

I really thought it was a scammer opening up dialogue so that if I gave the right response they would then need money for car hire or fuel etc. . Oh well I hope they get to the airport on time

How would it work as a scam unless you happen to be called Andy and need a lift from an airport today?

I really think you've jumped the shark with this one!

Original poster

CosmicDaisyChain · 04/08/2024 16:50

SauviGone · 04/08/2024 16:48

It doesn't look like a scam at all, it's a simple wrong number by someone who as a PP said, possibly doesn't have English as a first language.

What a bizzare response by you

Just wanted to waste their time and scare them off if it was a fishing scam.

OP posts: