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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

AIBU asking for help with a potential troll

26 replies

Worriedchestnut · 02/03/2022 19:46

I received a message through my work Instagram page this morning from
someone that says they’re going to “expose me in my industry” and “ruin me” they use my full name (not on the account and mention the name of my boss.

It’s a private account, the username isn’t the persons name. There’s a profile picture of her but I definitely don’t know/recognise her. She has a couple of hundred followers and posts on the account.

A friend has sent her a friend request but she hasn’t accepted.

I haven’t done anything untowards in either my work life or private life but this has really unsettled me. Does anyone have any tips to find out who she is? I replied to the message asking what she would expose me for and she said “you know what you did”.

Doesn’t seem enough to go to the police as nothing has actually happened. Should I warn my boss/clients?

OP posts:
SlashBeef · 02/03/2022 19:49

I would stop responding completely. Block the account.
Could it be anything to do with a relationship? Maybe an angry ex?

CognitiveDissolver · 02/03/2022 19:50

Probably hacked and a scam to extort money.

TinLeaf · 02/03/2022 19:50

Ignore and block.

alexdgr8 · 02/03/2022 19:50

this is a well known scam.
some people pay up.
just ignore.

Original poster
Worriedchestnut · 02/03/2022 19:51

@SlashBeef

I would stop responding completely. Block the account. Could it be anything to do with a relationship? Maybe an angry ex?
I really don’t think so. In a very long term and happy relationship.

I’m frantically trying to think of anyone I’ve ever had any kind of disagreement with or rivalry and I really can’t think of anything.

I’m hoping it’s just a wind up to make me sweat but don’t know why anyone would do that.

OP posts:
Original poster
Worriedchestnut · 02/03/2022 19:52

@alexdgr8

this is a well known scam. some people pay up. just ignore.
Is it?! They’ve not asked for anything.
OP posts:
iheartmybeachhut · 02/03/2022 19:52

Don't engage at all. I would mention to the boss that there has been communication from a fruit loop though.

00100001 · 02/03/2022 19:52

Just block and ignore.

Duchessfloofy · 02/03/2022 19:54

Ignore and block. I am sure I have heard of other people getting that. As pp said , these messages usually end up in an attempt to get your bank details off you . They target random people in the hope that someone vulnerable or unaware of these scams will respond. Hope you are ok ,OP.

Masdintle · 02/03/2022 19:54

If it's your business account, could your IT department have a wee look?

Original poster
Worriedchestnut · 02/03/2022 19:56

@Masdintle

If it's your business account, could your IT department have a wee look?
I didn’t want to ask but I said to a friend who works in IT and he said it will be untraceable.

The persons location is the same town as me but we have no mutual friends.

OP posts:
Reluctantadult · 02/03/2022 19:57

My dh had this last week with the same wording op. And I've had it before to my personal email, again with the same wording. It's a scam, I assume they'd ask for money after a bit. Honestly you can just block and ignore.

Original poster
Worriedchestnut · 02/03/2022 19:58

@Reluctantadult

My dh had this last week with the same wording op. And I've had it before to my personal email, again with the same wording. It's a scam, I assume they'd ask for money after a bit. Honestly you can just block and ignore.
This is very reassuring! It worried me that they used my full name which isn’t on the account.
OP posts:
Vispa · 02/03/2022 19:59

Sounds like a phishing attack, they send out lots of these messages to random people as they will eventually land on some poor soul by chance who actually feels they have something to hide. They then extort money from them to buy silence. Its horrible. Ignore and block.

MaybeSomeDay7 · 02/03/2022 20:06

If you want to screenshot their profile pic you can do an image search on the Web to see if it's been taken from another account, which would point to a scam. It's not untraceable; for example Instagram will have their IP address. You can bait them to get this for yourself. For example, if you can lure them into a dialogue, and get them to email you, you can give them a n email address from a specially set up email account to contact you on with a hidden code that could then expose a bit more about their location. Or just report them to Instagram. Depends if you want revenge or just to stop them!
Best of luck!

Original poster
Worriedchestnut · 02/03/2022 20:10

@MaybeSomeDay7

If you want to screenshot their profile pic you can do an image search on the Web to see if it's been taken from another account, which would point to a scam. It's not untraceable; for example Instagram will have their IP address. You can bait them to get this for yourself. For example, if you can lure them into a dialogue, and get them to email you, you can give them a n email address from a specially set up email account to contact you on with a hidden code that could then expose a bit more about their location. Or just report them to Instagram. Depends if you want revenge or just to stop them! Best of luck!
My friend was saying they’d most likely use a vpn to hide their location if they are up to something shady.

I did a google image search for her profile pic (I watch a lot of Catfish) but it’s not brought anything up.

OP posts:
MaybeSomeDay7 · 02/03/2022 20:19

That is true if they are actually targeting your friend specifically. One method scammers use is to be slightly obvious and a bit rubbish. They then know that anyone who responds is more likely to be able to manipulate, so thry don't always use a vpn. Its a bit of effort though. You can always report this to Action Fraud. They are the part of the police that deal with cybercrime. It is really likely to be a scam. There are some really shitty people out there; try not to worry. ❤

2bazookas · 02/03/2022 20:25

I would print the whole threat message and give a copy to boss; saying " I have no idea who this nutcase is or what I'm being threatened with, but if they make any contact with you or the company please let me know . I thought it best to inform you in case anyone else in the company has received similar threats."

Don't engage with the sender on social media or anywhere else.

Kanaloa · 02/03/2022 20:26

Just ignore it and report it on the site - most social media forums have a report post option.

The ‘you know what you did’ is classic scammer. Surely if they had some deep dirt on you they’d be eager to give details to prove what they know.

SolasAnla · 02/03/2022 20:26

If its a work account print out or screen shot the interactions and bring it to the attention of your boss and then ignore.

BiscuitLover3678 · 02/03/2022 20:28

Sounds like a money scam. They’ll start asking for money soon.
I’d be tempted to play with them but also probably not a good idea. Blush

Ie “oh do you mean the thing with Mark?” And see if she goes “yes that’s it”

BiscuitLover3678 · 02/03/2022 20:29

Let’s face it, if it was real then they’d say what it was for.

Bunce1 · 02/03/2022 20:36

Ignore them and block.

They are having an effect already trolling you. Don’t give them the power.

mummykel16 · 02/03/2022 20:42

@Worriedchestnut

I received a message through my work Instagram page this morning from someone that says they’re going to “expose me in my industry” and “ruin me” they use my full name (not on the account and mention the name of my boss.

It’s a private account, the username isn’t the persons name. There’s a profile picture of her but I definitely don’t know/recognise her. She has a couple of hundred followers and posts on the account.

A friend has sent her a friend request but she hasn’t accepted.

I haven’t done anything untowards in either my work life or private life but this has really unsettled me. Does anyone have any tips to find out who she is? I replied to the message asking what she would expose me for and she said “you know what you did”.

Doesn’t seem enough to go to the police as nothing has actually happened. Should I warn my boss/clients?

Go to the Police say you think it's a hate crime
BakedTattie · 02/03/2022 20:45

Total scam. Block and ignore.