Introduction to the World of Scambaiting

Article by: Nicholas Crouch - Casino Еxpert

Date Published: 14/12/23

As the name suggests, scambaiting is where people act as bait and reel in the fraudster, effectively turning the tables and scamming the scammer. Our expert team has studied various sources to compile data on scambaiting, which we will take you through below.

What is Scambaiting?

Scambaiting is intentionally deceiving or wasting the time of fraudsters. The people that do this often pose as potential victims to engage with scammers, leading them on with false information, fake personas, or other tactics to prevent them from scamming actual victims. They can spend hours engaging with the scammer, drawing the process out.

The primary goal of this activity is to disrupt the operations of scammers, waste their time and resources, gather information about their tactics, and potentially prevent them from victimising vulnerable people. Scambaiters might engage with scammers through email, phone calls, or online chat platforms, pretending to be interested in their fraudulent offers.

The Data and Our Methodology

Our team has studied various reputable sources to compile this data relating to online scams and scambaiters. We carried out an in-depth analysis of scambaiting groups (yes, these exist) across social media platforms and put this data into helpful infographics for you to peruse. Let’s break down the key findings below:

Who Are Scambaiters?

We found that the majority of people who engage in this activity are male (72%), aged between 18-29 (43%) and living in North America or Europe (91%). These statistics show a demographic profile of scambaiters, revealing a male-dominated landscape, a notable presence of younger, possibly more tech savvy participants, and a geographic concentration.

Motivations

There were a few different motivations that cropped up, and some of these often overlap. Many see it as a form of social activism; a way to protect victims and enact justice at the same time. Some admitted to doing it for a mood boost and getting enjoyment from deceiving scammers.

An overarching motivation, however, seems to be for entertainment value, which we will look at more closely later.

Tactics

So, how do scambaiters do it? Some use more sophisticated methods than others. Most just try to waste the scammer’s time (64%), but a much smaller percentage go further and attempt to turn the tables by hacking the scammer (10%). Others will mock and/or deceive scammers (29%), especially if they are aiming for it to be shown to others for entertainment.

Time Spent

The time scambaiters dedicate to this pursuit also varies. An overwhelming percentage (54%) spend 1-5 hours per week on the activity. Some of the more experienced participants who record what they are doing for entertainment, have been known to spend up to 10 hours on the same scammer.

Repercussions and Results

It is important to note that scambaiting involves risks, such as potential retaliation from scammers and legal concerns. Additionally, while some people view it as a way to combat scams and protect people, others argue that it can sometimes escalate the situation or cause harm.

Does it really protect people? Not really, according to the data. Over £12 billion was stolen through fraud in 2022 (up 30% from 2021). Nearly 80% of fraud losses came from authorised push payment (APP) scams, with £10 billion stolen. So, the ones interrupted by scambaiters are just the tip of the iceberg.

There can also be legal and safety repercussions for the scambaiters. Some of them use illegal tactics such as counter-hacking into the fraudster’s device. There is also the issue of inexperienced people getting involved in the activity, not fully realising the potential dangers of scambaiting, and putting their own data at risk.

It is also important to consider the ethics of this, particularly when these interactions are filmed and used for entertainment. We do not really know anything about the identity of these scammers, so is it ethical to be mocking them? Their personal circumstances may have forced them to partake in these scamming activities, for example.

Scambaiting as Entertainment

As previously mentioned, scambaiting has become a source of online entertainment, with many creators on Twitch and YouTube filming themselves and exposing these scammers. It has emerged as its own popular genre. They attempt to flip the script and show that the scammers trying to target gullible people can be vulnerable themselves.

Some scambaiters will put on a fake voice or use software to alter their voice, often pretending to be a vulnerable elderly person and drag the scam out for hours. They sometimes adopt eccentric personas to make it even more entertaining for viewers.

Common Scams Targeted

There are many different online scams, and these are some common ones that scambaiters will target:

• Phishing Scams: this is a type of cyber-attack where the aim is to trick the person into giving out their sensitive data such as passwords, credit card details etc. Phishing emails often look legit and try to mimic reputable businesses such as banks, and usually the aim is to get you to click on a malicious link and divulge personal information.
• Tech Support Scams: scammers pose as legitimate technical support agents from well-known technology companies offering support for a tech problem. They might use scare tactics, claiming the computer is infected with viruses or malware.
• Fake prizes: this is when people are contacted and informed that they have won a prize, lottery, or sweepstakes, despite not having entered a competition. They will claim that all you need to do to claim it is to visit a webpage or click a link to claim it.
• Romance fraud/sweetheart scams: this practice is linked to catfishing and it is particularly insidious as it involves manipulating people’s emotions. Scammers create fake identities on dating sites or social media to develop romantic relationships with victims, eventually asking for money under false pretences. A romance scambaiter will attempt to waste the time of these fraudsters.
• Employment Scams: there has been a rise in this type of scam recently. It involves fake job listings; the ’employer’ will then ask for payment for training materials or computer equipment that never shows up.

How to Stay Safe Online

With the rise of online scams and scammers getting more sophisticated in their methods, it is more important than ever to stay safe online. For online casino scams in particular, check out our prevention guide for some helpful tips.

Some important takeaways are never click on links you do not trust. If you receive emails claiming to be from a familiar company, check the email address to see if they are who they say they are. Often, the company logo may be there, and they may sound legit, but when you check the email address, it will be a random string of numbers or letters.

This caution extends to various online platforms, including gambling sites. For instance, when exploring safe practices in online gaming, it is crucial to choose secure and licensed platforms. This is particularly important when it comes to payment methods, that is why we have compiled a list of the top pay by mobile casinos that follow UK regulations.

Also look for spelling and grammar errors in the emails or texts you receive. If the person is claiming to be from your bank for example, it is unlikely they would send out a communication littered with spelling mistakes. This can be a huge indicator that they are not who they say they are.

Ask yourself, is there a sense of urgency in the communication? This is a fraudster’s bread and butter, demanding information quickly and putting pressure on you to respond. They want to rush you and get the information before you realise something is wrong.

It is also important to remember that if you have fallen victim to one of these cyber scams then you should report it. Our data shows that only 5% of scam attempts were reported to authorities. Top motivations for not reporting scams include not knowing who to report to (29%). Find out more in this Ofcom Study.

Does Scambaiting Do Any Good?

We have shown that the ethics and implications of scambaiting are complicated. On one hand, it does disrupt fraudulent activities and protect unsuspecting individuals from falling victim to scams. It can also raise awareness of the tricks of the trade, especially when recorded and put on social media platforms.

However, scambaiting has some ethical concerns. It involves deliberately engaging with deceptive individuals, which can lead to retaliation, escalate the situation, or even compromise personal safety. There’s also a concern that it could encourage scammers to refine their tactics. Overall, it seems that scambaiting is generally doing more good than bad and is needed as scammers are showing no signs of letting up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Now that we are wrapping up this post about scambaiting you may still have some lingering questions. Drop down to our list of frequently asked questions below, and each curated answer includes helpful links for you to find out more.

1️⃣ What is scambaiting?

Scambaiting is when people deliberately engage with scammers in order to waste their time, gather information about their methods, or disrupt their operations. The aim of scambaiting is often to raise awareness about scams, educate others about potential risks, or simply to turn the tables on scammers and prevent them from victimising others.

2️⃣ Is scambaiting legal?

Ethical scambaiting involves engaging with scammers in ways that do not involve illegal activities. However, scambaiters should be cautious about not engaging in actions that could be considered illegal or fraudulent, such as creating fake bank accounts or forging documents. Especially when using it for entertainment and recording it and posting it online.

3️⃣ How can I stay safe online?

Staying safe online involves several key practices to protect your digital presence. Firstly, ensure your passwords are robust and unique for every account, incorporating a mix of letters, numbers, and symbols. Secondly, exercise caution with unsolicited emails, messages, or links, especially those requesting personal information or financial details.

4️⃣ What are the risks of scambaiting?

Scambaiting isn't without risk, and it can have repercussions. Scammers may retaliate when they realise they are being deceived, or their time has been wasted. In some cases, scambaiting might involve actions or interactions that could be viewed as illegal or against the terms of service of certain platforms.

5️⃣ What are some common internet scams they target?

Several common internet scams target unsuspecting individuals, aiming to exploit their trust or lack of awareness. Phishing scams, for instance, involve deceptive emails or messages that impersonate reputable entities to trick recipients into revealing personal information or clicking on malicious links.