How Call Center Scams Actually Work | How Crime Works | Insider

Jim Browning is a software engineer and an expert on scam call centers. His YouTube channel baits scammers by gaining access to their computers, observing them through CCTV, and hacking into their networks. He then conveys this information to law enforcement.

Call center scams manipulate victims into disclosing personal and financial information over the phone. These centers typically impersonate credible companies like Amazon and Microsoft or government agencies like the IRS.

Browning speaks to Business Insider about the structure of scam call centers’ offices, recruitment and payroll. He also discusses covers money laundering, the role of police and law enforcement, and solutions for data security.

Find his YouTube channel here:

00:00 - Intro
00:32 - The Bait
02:40 - Fake Offices
03:59 - The Hierarchy
06:18 - The Money
08:34 - Finding Victims
10:01 - The Disguise
11:23 - Scammer Language
12:11 - Hacking CCTV
14:35 - The Arrests
16:19 - The Recruitment
18:10 - The Signs
20:04 - The Backstory
21:54 - Credits

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How Call Center Scams Actually Work | How Crime Works | Insider

[edgeninja]

I work for a bank. Every day, I get dozens of reports from people who've been scammed by fake call centers. 99% of the victims are 65 and older. It's gotten so out of control, now when we have to call customers to discuss legitimate business, they think WE'RE the scammers and refuse to talk to us.

[Andrei-lqxu]

Been watching this guy for some years now and his work is awesome, we need more people like him

[Mahashiii]

except just stopping scams, this dude has the talent to make all his videos informative and entertaining.

[NBvagabond]

I had a coworker who was Indian, with a recognisable accent. His primary job was calling people who'd expressed interest in our service and explaining more about it, but given his accent, so many people shut him down immediately. Of course, when I, Aussie born and bred, called, they were interested again! It's such a shame that the prevalence of these call centres in India means a good guy can hardly do his genuine job

[Ping_JJT]

I was once going door to door as a sales agent and one time this elderly lady opened the door and asked if I could come back later as she was interested but she was busy on the computer with an issue. I asked her what the issue is and she was like I tried online banking the other day and it seems I made a mistake which is costing me some money now to fix. Immediate red flags, I told her if she did not feel comfortable banking online why not visit the branch to get it sorted, she said she suggested the same but the agent on the phone said it was only possible through her computer cause that's where the issue originated. I told her to visit her bank confirm the issue and for now to pull the plug on the computer. I am not 100% she was being scammed but I could not let her go without giving the safer advice to confirm in-person at a branch.

[ordinaryalan]

We're lucky this guy is on our side. Imagine if he wasn't. 😮

[RainWalking]

Jim Browning A Legend, as many others that go after Scammers.

[chaplainmattsanders]

“Hi Grandma!” is another scam—my own mother nearly fell for that one. Caution your loved ones against these despicable thieves.

[triadwarfare]

The problem is that the scammers themselves don't see themselves as the bad guys. They think that living in a developed country like the US or the UK is enough reason for them to justify scamming them. They'll often compare the life of a stereotypical average American vs their own country on how corrupt their government is and how poor their people are, and think money on developed countries is easy and can just earn it back.

[Derbauer]

Jim Browning has his own channel, viewers should check out the good work he does day in and day out, selflessly.
My salute to you and others like you Jim. ✌🙌

[ordinaryalan]

Jim Browning is a legend. You're doing the Lord's work, mate. Keep it up!

[tanjameijer]

I need to say the "Hii mom i lost my phone" scam is my fav to get.

I don't have human kids, but i have 3 cats...

"Are Misty, Vlok, or Snow? I didn't know that cats could text." 😂

[andrewsimpson]

Hearing that one about the scammers in London who do SMS scams reminds me of one time where scammers tried scamming my tech savvy dad texting him telling him I'd dropped my phone down the toilet and got a new phone. He texted me and when I obviously said it was false, his response was 'I'm going to have some fun with them'.

[BakusanDayo]

Not all heroes wear capes.
Sometimes they wear a hoodie like this guy!

[alikatt]

Jim Browning is the GOAT of scambaiting! The scambaiting community is better because of him. Cheers and let's shut down the scam call centers.

[IwillGetyou]

If only people had half of Jim's integrity we would be in a much better place

[Strykenine]

For me, the most disturbing thing about these scams isn't that they happen. It is that the governments of the countries where the majority of the victims live (USA, Western Europe, Canada, Australia) never seem to be able to do anything about it. What LE agency is responsible for prosecuting malicious actors who target your citizens, but are not located in your country?

[williammiller]

The best thing you can do to protect yourself from scams such as these is remember that no legitimate vendor will EVER call you claiming to know you have an issue. Likewise with the popups you should treat those as cold calls. Meaning there is no obligation for you to call that number. They're trying to sell you a scam and it's up to you to say no.

[CushionSapp]

I watched that Telemarketers docuseries on Max, and the lack of laws and regulations against scam call centers in the United States is infuriating. Not surprised at the lack of concern from law enforcement in other countries.

[sayhineil]

This man is a modern day hero. Thank you