"Catfish" scammers

[seekingthemindofChrist]

Hello, everyone.

Over the course of the last couple of days, I had been dealing, through private messages, with a bonafide "catfish" scammer here. I say "had been" because I did report the scammer to the Administrator and a moderator here, and "she", although I highly doubt that there was a female behind that account, has since been banned. I am starting this thread where new members usually post because this scammer was a new member, and I want you all to understand and watch out for some rather common "catfish" scams. If you do not know what a "catfish" is, then this should help:

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=catfish

catfish

A fake or stolen online identity created or used for the purposes of beginning a deceptive relationship.

And that deceptive relationship, which usually comes in the form of a "romance scam", is geared towards garnering monies from the deceived party, whether under the pretense of helping out someone who claims to love them, or whether through blackmail, which I will explain in a moment.

In the case that I just finished dealing with here, a new member, who claimed to be an 18-year-old female from Finland, immediately told me to feel free to message "her" after I merely welcomed "her" to this site. That alone was a red flag for me because I have dealt with several catfish scammers elsewhere in the past, and this is a common practice with them. Well, I did message "her", and the red flags just kept on coming.

First, "she" notified me that "she" was single and a virgin. Now, stop and think for a moment. Why would an 18-year-old female say that to a man who is a complete online stranger right off of the bat? The answer is simple:

To start the "romance scam".

When I tried to keep it respectful, and told "her" that I was a gentleman who was older than "she" was, well, here came the flattery. You know, "I am attracted to older men", "they are much more experienced in love and life", etc., etc.

Then, of course, "she" offered to send me some photos of "herself". Initially, I declined because I was already quite certain that I was dealing with a scammer. However, the next day, I felt convicted that I was obligated to "out" this person for the potential safety of others here, so I did tell "her" that it was okay to send me a photo or two. Well, it was no surprise to me to receive a photo of "her" in which "she" was wearing only a bra and panties. Again, what 18-year-old female would send such a photo to a complete stranger online?

At that point in time, since there was the slightest of slight possibilities that "she" might have just been a troubled youth, I told "her", after talking to her about "catfish" accounts, that I wanted "her" to take a photo of "herself" in which "she" was holding two spoons in "her" hand, and then to send that photo to me. I did so because these scammers will not normally have such an odd photo in their arsenal. Instead, it is always some beautiful woman who is normally scantily clad. Of course, "she" would not do so, but "she" suggested that we just engage in a video chat on Skype instead because "that was much easier". Oh, it is much easier...FOR THE SCAMMER.

I would encourage every one of you to "Google" something like "catfish Skype" or "Skype romance scams". If you do, then articles galore will appear on that topic. Aside from the very real possibility of the catfish stealing some of your vital information, their objective is to lure their suspect into some sort of uncompromised position (use your imaginations) which they record, and then they turn around and use that to blackmail their victim financially. In other words, they threaten to post that incriminating evidence on social Media or to show it to relatives of their victim.

Anyhow, please just be careful to not fall prey to such schemes.

If something appears too good to be true, then there is a reason for that. It is not true.

May God grant us all discernment by the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth.

 

[seekingthemindofChrist]

I meant to say "compromised position". You know, like something sexual or sinful in nature.

 

[seekingthemindofChrist]

Kudos to both RoboOp and Oncefallen for dealing with this situation so quickly once they became aware of it. The scammer was not only banned, but "her" one thread has also been deleted.

 

[seekingthemindofChrist]

By the way, I forgot to mention why it is so common for scammers to attempt to move the conversation from the public forum to private messaging. Simply put, they want to isolate their victims or eliminate the chances of anybody else figuring out what they are up to. Normally, they try to move the conversation completely offsite, which is what this scammer did by trying to move our conversation to Skype.

I know one person who literally lost his entire life's savings to such a scammer, and there have been multitudes of others who have likewise suffered such losses. This is a big deal, and something that we all need to be aware of.

 

[seekingthemindofChrist]

https://techjury.net/blog/skype-scams/

I would at least read the one entitled "Sextortion, Romance Dating, or Sex Scam" if I were you because that is precisely where this scammer was trying to lead me right here on this website.

 

[HealthAndHappiness]

The old fox went catfishing.
Lol

 

[TabinRivCA]

For stopping spam calls on your phone go to 'donotcall.gov' and follow directions. You're welcome😊👍!

 

[seekingthemindofChrist]

The old fox went catfishing.
Lol

That was one big, old ugly catfish. The only catfish that I have ever seen before was a tiny one in a friend's fish tank. I must admit that I was watching that video with a bit of fear. I thought that the catfish was going to eat the fox or something. lol. For real.

That reminded me, in part, of my situation here. Especially since the old fox was so cute.

 

[seekingthemindofChrist]

For stopping spam calls on your phone go to 'donotcall.gov' and follow directions. You're welcome😊👍!

I only answer my phone when I recognize the incoming phone number. If it is something of actual importance, then they will leave a voicemail. I definitely never respond to text messages from numbers that I do not recognize, and i am getting more of those these days than ever before. They are usually just a one word message like "hi" or "hello".

 

[Solemateleft]

Hello, everyone.

Over the course of the last couple of days, I had been dealing, through private messages, with a bonafide "catfish" scammer here. I say "had been" because I did report the scammer to the Administrator and a moderator here, and "she", although I highly doubt that there was a female behind that account, has since been banned. I am starting this thread where new members usually post because this scammer was a new member, and I want you all to understand and watch out for some rather common "catfish" scams. If you do not know what a "catfish" is, then this should help:

https://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=catfish

catfish

A fake or stolen online identity created or used for the purposes of beginning a deceptive relationship.

And that deceptive relationship, which usually comes in the form of a "romance scam", is geared towards garnering monies from the deceived party, whether under the pretense of helping out someone who claims to love them, or whether through blackmail, which I will explain in a moment.

In the case that I just finished dealing with here, a new member, who claimed to be an 18-year-old female from Finland, immediately told me to feel free to message "her" after I merely welcomed "her" to this site. That alone was a red flag for me because I have dealt with several catfish scammers elsewhere in the past, and this is a common practice with them. Well, I did message "her", and the red flags just kept on coming.

First, "she" notified me that "she" was single and a virgin. Now, stop and think for a moment. Why would an 18-year-old female say that to a man who is a complete online stranger right off of the bat? The answer is simple:

To start the "romance scam".

When I tried to keep it respectful, and told "her" that I was a gentleman who was older than "she" was, well, here came the flattery. You know, "I am attracted to older men", "they are much more experienced in love and life", etc., etc.

Then, of course, "she" offered to send me some photos of "herself". Initially, I declined because I was already quite certain that I was dealing with a scammer. However, the next day, I felt convicted that I was obligated to "out" this person for the potential safety of others here, so I did tell "her" that it was okay to send me a photo or two. Well, it was no surprise to me to receive a photo of "her" in which "she" was wearing only a bra and panties. Again, what 18-year-old female would send such a photo to a complete stranger online?

At that point in time, since there was the slightest of slight possibilities that "she" might have just been a troubled youth, I told "her", after talking to her about "catfish" accounts, that I wanted "her" to take a photo of "herself" in which "she" was holding two spoons in "her" hand, and then to send that photo to me. I did so because these scammers will not normally have such an odd photo in their arsenal. Instead, it is always some beautiful woman who is normally scantily clad. Of course, "she" would not do so, but "she" suggested that we just engage in a video chat on Skype instead because "that was much easier". Oh, it is much easier...FOR THE SCAMMER.

I would encourage every one of you to "Google" something like "catfish Skype" or "Skype romance scams". If you do, then articles galore will appear on that topic. Aside from the very real possibility of the catfish stealing some of your vital information, their objective is to lure their suspect into some sort of uncompromised position (use your imaginations) which they record, and then they turn around and use that to blackmail their victim financially. In other words, they threaten to post that incriminating evidence on social Media or to show it to relatives of their victim.

Anyhow, please just be careful to not fall prey to such schemes.

If something appears too good to be true, then there is a reason for that. It is not true.

May God grant us all discernment by the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth.

Thanks for re-posting this very helpful information and reminder for the Forum at large...
I remember when I first joined this forum (several years ago) having a similar encounter and because of the dynamics at the time with some ongoing drama between a few members... One of my thoughts was the potential that there may have also been member(s) on this forum who had multiple profiles that they were using to correspond in the singles forum... the working hypothesis at the time was the possibility that at least one of the singles types of scams was to essentially use this type of seduction to test either the loyalty and/or Christian values of some of the men that they were chatting with on this site... Of course, that was just a working hypothesis that was never validated...

 

[seekingthemindofChrist]

Thanks for re-posting this very helpful information and reminder for the Forum at large...

You are welcome. I almost just ignored the scammer at first. Then I felt convicted by God that I was obligated to watch out for and warn others as well, and that is when I got back to "outing" the scammer. I should mention that I really took no pleasure in doing so because the scammer himself or herself is a wicked sinner who is desperately in need of salvation. I never really got around to rebuking the scammer because I felt a sort of immediacy in reporting him or her before he or she possibly scammed somebody else. Anyhow, it is what it is. I was happy to see that Magenta had posted some videos about salvation on the scammer's thread, so I suppose that he or she could have learned something of Christ if they had but wanted to.

I remember when I first joined this forum (several years ago) having a similar encounter and because of the dynamics at the time with some ongoing drama between a few members... One of my thoughts was the potential that there may have also been member(s) on this forum who had multiple profiles that they were using to correspond in the singles forum... the working hypothesis at the time was the possibility that at least one of the singles types of scams was to essentially use this type of seduction to test either the loyalty and/or Christian values of some of the men that they were chatting with on this site... Of course, that was just a working hypothesis that was never validated...

You and I are both talking about the possibility of men being scammed or compromised, but I would just like to mention that many women are scammed by catfish as well. We all need to have our spiritual antennae up at all times.

 

[Solemateleft]

You and I are both talking about the possibility of men being scammed or compromised, but I would just like to mention that many women are scammed by catfish as well. We all need to have our spiritual antennae up at all times.

Very true! Albeit I also suspect that the single Christian women here are also having to wrestle with the common concern as to whether the men they are chatting with are genuine Christian men (of strong moral value) vs potential fakers or those who earnestly believe themselves to be Christian but their character, behavior or convictions would prove otherwise...

 

[seekingthemindofChrist]

Very true! Albeit I also suspect that the single Christian women here are also having to wrestle with the common concern as to whether the men they are chatting with are genuine Christian men (of strong moral value) vs potential fakers or those who earnestly believe themselves to be Christian but their character, behavior or convictions would prove otherwise...

What you have stated here is true as well. Ultimately, we all need the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of truth, when it comes to any type of relationship. Like you said, it is not only a matter of genuine fakers (an oxymoron?), but there are also a lot of people who are deceived in relation to their own selves or to who and what they actually are. Which reminds me of the words of James:

James 1:21-25

"Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed."

Being in the word of God is great, but if we are only hearers of it, and not doers of what we read and hear, then we are like those who behold themselves in a mirror, and then walk away and forget what we are supposed to actually look like. We will know a tree by its fruit.

 

[seekingthemindofChrist]

That reminded me, in part, of my situation here. Especially since the old fox was so cute.

Hey! Where is my second witness? Can a poor brother get an "Amen!"?

 

[Godsgirl1983]

Especially since the old fox was so cute.

Hey! Where is my second witness? Can a poor brother get an "Amen!"?

Ahhh, yes!
Yes he was a cute fox in the video

 

[seekingthemindofChrist]

Ahhh, yes!
Yes he was a cute fox in the video
View attachment 254625

Waaaaaahhhhhh!

I'm telling Mom!

 

[seoulsearch]

Very true! Albeit I also suspect that the single Christian women here are also having to wrestle with the common concern as to whether the men they are chatting with are genuine Christian men (of strong moral value) vs potential fakers or those who earnestly believe themselves to be Christian but their character, behavior or convictions would prove otherwise...

Thank you for pointing out that no one, whether man or woman, is safe from scams and catfishing in its many different forms.

I do feel particularly sorry for the men in that I've heard of scammers writing them and posing as 18-year-old girls, claiming their innocence, and that they want to ask some "questions" about life that quickly turn sexual, along with sending pictures.

They will then tell these men that they are in fact, underage, and will blackmail them for money or else the "girl" will threaten to turn them in for possession of child pornography and illegal sexual exchanges with a minor.

I don't know what someone can do to legally protect themselves in this situation but it's definitely something everyone should be aware of.

Long ago I used to write prison inmates as part of a ministry. A few warned me that Christians are considered the cream of the crop (ironically, the "Field White for Harvest") when it comes to scams because helping those in need is one of their core values. Some people will put in extra effort to take advantage of those who profess their faith.

And they delight in turning it against you. I had one inmate ask for money and when I refused, he quoted all the passages about how God tells us that we have a need we are to ask, and that we are not to send someone away empty-handed. He ended with the accusation, "(Seoul,) how is it that you have allowed Satan to so fill your heart?" (He was raised Christian and knew the Bible very well.) I wrote back and told him, "I actually did pray about this and God told me, 'Yeah, he's supposed to ask -- but he's supposed to ask ME, not you.'"

I truly believe God gave me that answer. Not everyone who asks you is meant to receive something from you, not even an answer. And that includes a "woman" or "young girl" who starts asking about the facts of life. I can just imagine what kinds of lines "she" will come up with -- she'll probably say she wants to know so that she can be a good wife and a blessing to "the man God has for her to marry" someday. Don't answer or direct "her" to someone legally qualified to give such advice and block them immediately for your own protection, keeping all records so you can prove you did not answer back in a way that can convict you.

But I also want to share the hope that there ARE good people out there you can meet only through writing.

Ironically, there was one inmate I did become friends with and he was the real deal -- when I sent him money, he hadn't asked for it but I knew he needed work shoes for his job -- and he sent it all back (not an easy feat with all the hoops you had to go through, as this was before some inmates were allowed email access.) He said all he wanted was for me to be his friend. God has done amazing things in his life and he is a complete turnaround story.

I eventually resent him $60 for a much-needed pair of work boots while he was still incarcerated and they had him working on the roof in the snow. He always sent receipts of what he did with anything I sent him as proof of his word. Years later, after he was out and working 2 full-time jobs, a package arrived on my doorstep -- containing a $200 pair of Nike shoes with the air-filled soles. I wasn't familiar with them because I'd never owned a pair of shoes that expensive in my life. He knew I was on my feet all day at MY job and he sent a note along with them saying, "I'm finally paying you back."

I have a long history of meeting people in person whom I've met first in writing -- including a pen pal from Japan back in the days when there was no internet and no public background checks -- she and her best friend flew over to see me. We set it all up with paper letters, not even a phone call, with each letter taking 2-3 weeks to reach the other person.

My sincere apologies, as I didn't mean to derail this very informative thread...

I pray that everyone will be stay safe but also be very careful about what what people are trying to sell or even ask them.

At the same time, don't give up hope and keep praying and asking God to lead you to the good people out there, because it's very much worth the hunt.

 

[Cameron143]

Thank you for pointing out that no one, whether man or woman, is safe from scams and catfishing in its many different forms.

I do feel particularly sorry for the men in that I've heard of scammers writing them and posing as 18-year-old girls, claiming their innocence, and that they want to ask some "questions" about life that quickly turn sexual, along with sending pictures.

They will then tell these men that they are in fact, underage, and will blackmail them for money or else the "girl" will threaten to turn them in for possession of child pornography and illegal sexual exchanges with a minor.

I don't know what someone can do to legally protect themselves in this situation but it's definitely something everyone should be aware of.

Long ago I used to write prison inmates as part of a ministry. A few warned me that Christians are considered the cream of the crop (ironically, the "Field White for Harvest") when it comes to scams because helping those in need is one of their core values. Some people will put in extra effort to take advantage of those who profess their faith.

And they delight in turning it against you. I had one inmate ask for money and when I refused, he quoted all the passages about how God tells us that we have a need we are to ask, and that we are not to send someone away empty-handed. He ended with the accusation, "(Seoul,) how is it that you have allowed Satan to so fill your heart?" (He was raised Christian and knew the Bible very well.) I wrote back and told him, "I actually did pray about this and God told me, 'Yeah, he's supposed to ask -- but he's supposed to ask ME, not you.'"

I truly believe God gave me that answer. Not everyone who asks you is meant to receive something from you, not even an answer. And that includes a "woman" or "young girl" who starts asking about the facts of life. I can just imagine what kinds of lines "she" will come up with -- she'll probably say she wants to know so that she can be a good wife and a blessing to "the man God has for her to marry" someday. Don't answer or direct "her" to someone legally qualified to give such advice and block them immediately for your own protection, keeping all records so you can prove you did not answer back in a way that can convict you.

But I also want to share the hope that there ARE good people out there you can meet only through writing.

Ironically, there was one inmate I did become friends with and he was the real deal -- when I sent him money, he hadn't asked for it but I knew he needed work shoes for his job -- and he sent it all back (not an easy feat with all the hoops you had to go through, as this was before some inmates were allowed email access.) He said all he wanted was for me to be his friend. God has done amazing things in his life and he is a complete turnaround story.

I eventually resent him $60 for a much-needed pair of work boots while he was still incarcerated and they had him working on the roof in the snow. He always sent receipts of what he did with anything I sent him as proof of his word. Years later, after he was out and working 2 full-time jobs, a package arrived on my doorstep -- containing a $200 pair of Nike shoes with the air-filled soles. I wasn't familiar with them because I'd never owned a pair of shoes that expensive in my life. He knew I was on my feet all day at MY job and he sent a note along with them saying, "I'm finally paying you back."

I have a long history of meeting people in person whom I've met first in writing -- including a pen pal from Japan back in the days when there was no internet and no public background checks -- she and her best friend flew over to see me. We set it all up with paper letters, not even a phone call, with each letter taking 2-3 weeks to reach the other person.

My sincere apologies, as I didn't mean to derail this very informative thread...

I pray that everyone will be stay safe but also be very careful about what what people are trying to sell or even ask them.

At the same time, don't give up hope and keep praying and asking God to lead you to the good people out there, because it's very much worth the hunt.

And now, back to our regularly scheduled programming.

No problems...you had a lot on your heart.

 

[seoulsearch]

And now, back to our regularly scheduled programming.

No problems...you had a lot on your heart.

Is it just me, or does it seem like most people seem to fall into an either or category?

I understand it -- that seems to be the way our entire culture leans these days.

But with a topic like this, I run into a lot of people who are like, "ALL people online/that you aren't meeting in person first are scammers -- you're a fool if you think differently."

Like when we get the inevitable threads asking about online dating, there will always be the ones who will say meeting someone decent online/through writing is impossible, and if you even try, you're just stupid and are deceiving yourself.

I feel sad that it sounds a good number of people have had negative experiences with this, and always feel like I need to add some kind of disclaimer.

There's no guarantee of course, but I always hope to show a different side, and that even though it's a very bumpy terrain, God can lead you to a few very worthy diamonds in the rough.

I thank God often for the ones He's led me to in my own life.

 

[Cameron143]

Is it just me, or does it seem like most people seem to fall into an either or category?

I understand it -- that seems to be the way our entire culture leans these days.

But with a topic like this, I run into a lot of people who are like, "ALL people online/that you aren't meeting in person first are scammers -- you're a fool if you think differently."

Like when we get the inevitable threads asking about online dating, there will always be the ones who will say meeting someone decent online/through writing is impossible, and if you even try, you're just stupid and are deceiving yourself.

I feel sad that it sounds a good number of people have had negative experiences with this, and always feel like I need to add some kind of disclaimer.

There's no guarantee of course, but I always hope to show a different side, and that even though it's a very bumpy terrain, God can lead you to a few very worthy diamonds in the rough.

I thank God often for the ones He's led me to in my own life.

It's not you. It is how things are, though. When I was growing up we had 1 lock on each door. Sometimes they weren't locked or even closed. Times they hava changed.