I know it's easily obtainable but when he texted me he knew my first and last name and said he had my Facebook profile up. He threatened to message my parents (he knew their names) and tell then about the ordeal. Is that common?
I know it's easily obtainable but when he texted me he knew my first and last name and said he had my Facebook profile up. He threatened to message my parents (he knew their names) and tell then about the ordeal. Is that common?
Yes, it's common. The sleazy SOBs that do these Scams are known to do their homework at times. The more you have out there on the social media the more they'll have to find to work with.
The 803 thread that I mentioned is slowing down. Now this thread has appeared. It wouldn't surprise me if the same group hasn't started a new number now that the 803 number has been so thoroughly exposed. I find the whole thing rather ridiculous really. The only people vulnerable to such a Scam would be those who really are pedophiles or are, perhaps, cheating on their spouses. Anyone else would have absolutely nothing to fear from such extortion attempts.
Engaging in a communication with a woman on the 'net is not a crime. If you did not know the woman was underage & you did not send her any pornographic pictures you are NOT guilty of anything!
Be Safe. Be Aware.
Gunnar
That's part of the scam. You don't find out she's 15 until after you reply with pictures. Now granted my pictures were not explicit and didn't really show anything but they were close to it. Then she stopped messaging and about 10 minutes later is when her dad will message you saying he has your information and you need to call him or else. I texted him back and said if he wanted to talk he could call me which he did. He said he walked in on his daughter sending those photos and his wife is very distraught. After talking with his wife he calls you back about 10 minutes later and says the only way to keep from going to the police is to pay for his daughter to have counseling. I started to catch on that it was a scam when I told him I didn't have $2,400 just sitting around. He told me I could link my bank to a PayPal account his wife had set up. When I told him my bank didn't have any way to transfer funds that way he told me I could meet him and pay cash. When I kept asking him where to meet and when he started to get pissed off. Then I asked him which counseling service he was using since most of the ones in my town are free. He started getting mad and told me to stop asking so many questions. Secondly I don't know of any counseling services that make you pay for all the sessions up front. Normally it is a paper session type deal
The guy's just a low-life fraud. An extortionist actually. When apprehended he'll be looking at serious prison time & being as he's doing it across state lines he'll be doing it federally. Not a bright future for the fool!
If you're really interested in this Scam take a look at the 803-413-4219 thread. Hundreds of posts from people going through the same BS. If you decide to take another call from the idiot, ask him for his real name. Tell him you'd like to send him postcards after he goes through processing & you find out which federal facility he'll be doing his time at.
Be Safe. Be Aware
Gunnar