Scam Bites - Probing The Morality Of Scammers

In this episode, we're going to look at three examples of the moral standards (or rather, complete absence thereof) of advance fee scammers.

My reason for making this video is to try to persuade you to think of people you know, who might be vulnerable, and warn them.

In case you have questions about my scambaiting videos or efforts, you might find the answer below:
The recorded call in this video comes from part 2 of my 'Endurance Scambaiting' videos - links below:

[Metalseadraking]

"I need that money to literally live"
Scammer: "Now listen to me"

[_shy]

Scammer and morality don't really fit in the same sentence...

[janNowa]

The "elderly gentleman" being scammed out of the money he needed for his heart operation made me really sad even though it's not real. Stuff like that probably actually happens, especially since these scams' targets are often seniors.

[williamhrivnak]

Challenge:
What if you tried to haggle with a scammer just to see how low you can make the advance fee? “You want me to pay £500? I know another guy who is offering more money for only £200, can you price match?”

[Megapixel]

The heart operation bit broke my heart; you’re a good actor.

[AnakinSkyobiliviator]

Plot twist: the 77.5 mil was legit and after Manuel paid the fees and recieved the award, his heart operation failed and now he has to find an internet stranger to pass on the money before he died.

[KarklesVantas]

Before viewing, I'm quite sure these will be kind, empathetic, and upstanding people.

[raine]

in the future you should try confusing the scammer by purposefully giving them contradictory information and coming up with overly complex answers to their questions

[realjudoippon]

Whenever I watch one of these scam videos, I can’t help but think of a story my uncle told me. About a year ago, he received a phone call from what he called a ‘car insurance scammer’. The gist of the scam is that they ask you if you have been in a car accident recently, and if you say yes they’ll claim to be the insurance company of the person you hit and try to get money off you. Now, my uncle is a very quick witted man so he immediately understood it was a scam and played around with him for a bit. They wanted to get him to pay them $200 in damages but he acted all confused and made up some story about how he side swiped a guy at the lights and the car was badly damaged and the driver hurt. The scammer, obviously seeing an opportunity for more money, said something along the lines of ‘oh no that’s just the processing fee, in total it’s about $5, 000’. My uncle still acted confused, and said that can’t be right because of how badly injured the guy was. Scammer responds with the government covering a lot of the medical costs, and my uncle finally hit him with the punchline; “But I killed the guy. He’s dead.” Scammer realises he messed up and hung up.

[antroz]

One of the best ways I’ve found to deal with scammers is to act like everything they’re saying is the best news you’ve ever heard. “I pay you $15, 000 and get 77.5 mil in return? Holy crap what a deal!” “You’re shutting off my electricity unless I pay the $11, 000 bill I missed? Good on you for running a tight ship in your company!” It makes them super uncomfortable and is a really good source of entertainment.

[neonshadow]

One scammer's efforts cost a couple so much money that the husband lost his mind and shot his wife and then himself -- the scammer was actually confronted on this over the phone by an investigator, and the scammer said something akin to: "well you feel bad if someone gets hurt but then you get their money and so it is ok again" .. so he literally said it's fine they're dead, I got their money and that's what matters.

[maggieent]

They're like pirates, without the charm, and with the warmth of feral cats chasing mice.

[uitimatebrandon]

"he probably just waste the money on some ridiculous project or in *his obsession with unusual canned foodstuffs.* "

Heh.

[gunnaryoung]

Here's a challenge: try flattering the scammer

[mushroomsamba]

I'm not sure whose fake names are more absurd, the scammer's or Atomic's lol

[johndecicco]

"...obsession with unusual canned foodstuffs." You're killing me.

[bigchooch]

Monica: They told him he had to pay all this money before he got his funds, then they killed him, it's such an awful thing
Scammer: Yeahhhh... So anyways we'll need $1, 910 before you get your funds
*Seems legit*

[NewGoldStandard]

The email where Martin is describing Mike, saying he has an obsession with unusual canned foodstuffs, had me doubled over in laughter. That kind of subtle, self-depreciating humor is totally my kind of comedy. I really enjoy your content. Thanks.

[MariaBKBK]

"Waste the money on canned goods" 😂😂
But damn, these people are awful

[alienplatypus]

Admittedly if the scambaiting videos involved atomic shrimp going to Africa and having to fight tooth and nail to avoid all the scammers killing him with machetes that would be pretty interesting.