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Original poster

I have a Facebook scammer on the hook. What next??

16 replies

Namechangeforthis88 · 10/05/2023 16:14

We've got as far as "I'll take it but I'm busy with work, I'll send a courier with cash". The next step will be that I need to pay for insurance online, but whereas I just told the last one to get lost, this time, for science, I have said "Great, when are they coming?". But I haven't worked out how to waste their time or antagonise them. Any suggestions?

OP posts:
CoronationKicking · 10/05/2023 16:36

Yes, I suggest you stop highlighting yourself as responsive and flagging up your accounts as active.

Its not remotely funny and you're stupidly making yourself a target for more of the same. Next time it might be more sophisticated and catch you off guard.

Learn the very basics of how to deal with scammers and protect yourself.

kierenthecommunity · 10/05/2023 16:37

I’d get another hobby. Duolingo maybe. Or Couch25K.

mosiacmaker · 10/05/2023 16:39

God people are such party poopers! There are whole subreddits of people who drag these things out and it’s very funny! I’m trying to remember the name of it but that could be a good place to go for ideas OP. The more time you waste of theirs the less time they have for a little old lady (unless they are AI, in which case you’re only wasting your own time 🤣)

Bimbom · 10/05/2023 16:42

mosiacmaker · 10/05/2023 16:39

God people are such party poopers! There are whole subreddits of people who drag these things out and it’s very funny! I’m trying to remember the name of it but that could be a good place to go for ideas OP. The more time you waste of theirs the less time they have for a little old lady (unless they are AI, in which case you’re only wasting your own time 🤣)

Not on their real FB accounts though! I used to do this years ago over email, kept one going for months. But only on a Gmail set up specifically for the purpose where my real identity couldn't be traced. You don't want a pissed off scammer to know who/where you are.

MrsDanversGlidesAgain · 10/05/2023 16:43

The more time you waste of theirs the less time they have for a little old lady

Nope, that'll be the colleague on the next desk in the call centre. Plus, of course, you've indicated that you're a live one who'll engage so get prepared for being on a sucker list and getting even more calls.

Never seen the attraction of 'ooooh, aren't I clever, I scammed a scammer.' Some of these are seriously not nice people you'd be daft to tangle with in any way.

pyjamalife · 10/05/2023 17:18

mosiacmaker · 10/05/2023 16:39

God people are such party poopers! There are whole subreddits of people who drag these things out and it’s very funny! I’m trying to remember the name of it but that could be a good place to go for ideas OP. The more time you waste of theirs the less time they have for a little old lady (unless they are AI, in which case you’re only wasting your own time 🤣)

Thank you. Just found a Reddit page. I will now have hours of fun! 😅

Banjaxx · 10/05/2023 17:58

What’s the Reddit sub thread called??!!! Sounds like my type of place.

op, I tried and failed once, but the scammers coauthor onto me fairly quickly, gave us all a good days worth of entertainment at work though… and o never had any I’ll effects from it 😉

ThatFraggle · 10/05/2023 18:01

They've said with AI the scams are going to be so much more sophisticated.

They know your account is live. They failed on this one. Next time you'll put your house purchase deposit in the wrong account or something, after they watch your account and see you're moving house next year.

They can play the long game.

Fraaahnces · 10/05/2023 18:07

See Joe Lycett

Original poster
Namechangeforthis88 · 10/05/2023 18:30

I really only use Facebook to get rid of stuff on marketplace. I don't divulge anything else. There are plenty of people a lot more active than me, constantly posting their location on days out and holidays, but point taken.

OP posts:
Bimbom · 10/05/2023 18:41

Namechangeforthis88 · 10/05/2023 18:30

I really only use Facebook to get rid of stuff on marketplace. I don't divulge anything else. There are plenty of people a lot more active than me, constantly posting their location on days out and holidays, but point taken.

Marketplace will give your location and if the account is under your real name, it's a risky game. The vast majority of scammers wouldn't do anything once realising you've baited them but what if you pissed off the wrong person

ThatFraggle · 10/05/2023 18:49

Exactly. They can say 'yes, I'll buy the lawnmower. I'll be there at 7.' Not turn up, and now they have your address. Maybe real mobile number. Maybe real name. Usually abroad, but maybe someone would even turn up, buy the lawnmower, settle in for a long con.

Maybe that time someone said happy birthday to you. Together with you saying, "turning thirty!" Now they have your date of birth too.

pyjamalife · 10/05/2023 18:51

Banjaxx · 10/05/2023 17:58

What’s the Reddit sub thread called??!!! Sounds like my type of place.

op, I tried and failed once, but the scammers coauthor onto me fairly quickly, gave us all a good days worth of entertainment at work though… and o never had any I’ll effects from it 😉

I found: r/scambait

Zuve · 10/05/2023 18:51

Yes I was scammed once on Facebook marketplace. I blocked him and got away clear. Now I never put up any thing and am so careful

Zuve · 10/05/2023 18:58

You can report to Facebook but he will change his ID. He may even be in a different country. Just move on and don't repay the mistake. I will never buy any thing I can't pick up from their house. Facebook is chock full of scammers and rogues

CoronationKicking · 11/05/2023 10:58

"I really only use Facebook to get rid of stuff on marketplace. I don't divulge anything else. There are plenty of people a lot more active than me, constantly posting their location on days out and holidays, but point taken."

See, completely and utterly naive to how much info you're giving away. Marketplace is much better for scammers than checking in at a safari park or something. If you can't see that then don't get involved in messing with them. Utter stupidity and you'll never stay ahead of them in the long run

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