Conversations with Online Scam Artists: The Fake Hooker Scam

I’ve had a few interesting chats lately with people attempting the infamous ‘Nigerian 419‘ scam, and one rather pushy individual in Mali who has huge amounts of non-existent gold for sale (it’s going quite cheap if you’re interested).

The fake hooker scam is also outrageously simple and, generally speaking, appallingly executed. Again though, judging by the sheer numbers of people attempting this con each day, it must work often enough to make it worthwhile. I actually know a guy who admitted after a few drinks to having fallen for it. He lost a hundred bucks and a bit of pride. Basically, sex sells (go figure). This particular scam comes frequently out of the Philippines, and it goes like this…

An escort with cover girl looks is new in (your city), and contacts you on that social network (dating site) you don’t talk about being a member of. She would love to meet you for some fun, but only after you make payment directly to the escort agency in the Philippines.

Of course, the person you think you’ve been chatting with (if you’re extraordinarily gullible or have just discovered the internet) doesn’t exist, and upon making the payment, your escort promptly disappears in a puff of binary code.

For a while I received this exact message several times a day, always with a different fake name and stolen photo attached.

Okay, so far so dodgy. If you respond to the message, the reply comes swiftly – sometimes so swiftly that it could only be another pre-written cut/paste, which it is. This second message isn’t exactly subtle.

After this second message it’s time for the scammer to begin interacting personally. The operator(s) of this particular version of the scam, appear to be a very small group, if not a lone individual, with appalling grammar, and apparently just not very bright.

This genius, for example, actually manages to forget where ‘she’ is pretending to be, and asks me what time it is where I am!

Astonishingly, these online scam artists actually make money doing this, which can only mean there are people out there who are even dumber. This is a worrying thought.

Here, for your amusement is the transcript of my conversation with ‘Kimberly’ (I’ve tidied up the grammar and spelling a bit to make it readable).

Kimberly: Hello, how are you? Can we talk so that we can have some fun?

Peninsularity: Sure, why not!

Really?

Hehe. Yeah, why not. How are you?

Good and you?

Yeah, good thanks. It’s too early though. lol… What do you do here Kimberly?

I am social escort here

Fair enough

Why?

Just wondering. Nice pics of you, by the way.

Thank you

Welcome.

Hope I can meet you and taste your xxxx.

Hahaha, wow, that was fast. Sure, sounds like fun. lol. What do you charge, Kimberly?

Baby, but I can meet you only once. You pay my manager for booking me

Hmmm. Only once eh? That sounds unusual. What is your charge?

Hope you will send to my manager, so that I can taste your xxxx

lol Ok, focus, Kimberly… what is your charge?

I dont have charge. You only send to my manager the payment booking, ok?

Your charge means, how much is the cost?

35 for 2 nights (USD $95)

Wow, that sounds good!

Yes. So you will able to send to my manager?

Sure!

Then after you send to my manager I will tell to you the instruction how you will meet me, ok?

That sounds great!! You’ve left out some information though… like, who your manager is, and how to pay.

On western union of course

Of course.

I will give you details of my manager for you to send on western union the payment

Ok thanks!!

Are you sure? You will send to my manager?

Yes, of course. Because this doesn’t sound at all like the dodgiest, most poorly executed scam I’ve come across all week.

So tell me are you serious

Of course I’m not serious, hehe. I’ve heard this routine does work on some people though… or so many of you guys wouldn’t be pulling this scam all day every day. Sad thing is, I even know a guy who fell for this one!!

Ok yes, I am serious. I want to meet you… and have some fun!!

Baby I never scam anyone, cause I’m honest ok

Ok, that’s good.

Thanks.

Welcome baby

I never cheat anyone who serious to have fun to me

That’s good. I totally believe you.

Thank you. So if you send to my manager thank you

Ok sure. I will.

Hmm tell me. I want to know if your serious baby

Oh dear, this is really dreadful stuff. I’m also guessing that a real escort wouldn’t play it this desperate, by the way.

Sure I’m serious! Lets have fun!! hehehe

So you will send today? Tell me

Ok. Sounds good! So, what are the details?

Send your payment to name : LEO RIVERA address; 411 MANILA PHILIPINES zip code ;1123

Ok, thanks! …and after I pay, you will tell me where to meet you?

Yes baby

Great! When are you available for an appointment?

So you will send today? After you send I can meet you, ok?

Ok, I will send today. When are you available to meet?

I’m always available

Wow, that’s great! Is that because you don’t actually exist, or because you’re just really bad at your job? hehehe

What time you will send today my love?

If you had actually read or understood any of my part in this conversation, you’d know the answer to that question long ago.

Ok then …I think, in about 4 hours.

Baby can you reply my question

Just did, twice… but my answers were conflicting.

What time over there?

Hahahaa. Seriously?  It’s 7.20am

Ok good morning. I eat my breakfast already

Nice cover!

Thanks baby

You’re brilliant. Thanks, this has been really entertaining. Got to go to work now. Thanks again! lol

How can I know if you send already? Hope your not like others, only promise and never do it

Don’t worry, your manager will let you know.

Hmm I can let know first then I will let know to my manager

Sure, that sounds reasonable.

What time I will wait you? I hope your honest and serious

Don’t worry. Your manager will take care of the money. You don’t have to wait. I’m as honest and serious as you are… baby. lol

As I said, you need to inform me first so that you can give me the mtcn and amount and I can give to my manager ok? Tell me baby

Um… ok, I don’t know what mtcn is… and by the way, what is it this manager of yours does, if anything? Anyway, I think this one is done. Thanks for your time though. It’s been fun.

Where are you? Im waiting at you. May I know if u will able to send?

I’m several time zones away, remember? …where you’ve forgotten to be pretending to be. lol. I really think you shouldn’t wait. Cheers. 

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My chat with Kimberly did continue for a bit after that, but it just got increasingly repetitive and desperate. Anyway, you get the idea.

If you are concerned about being the victim of internet scams, there is a simple and effective solution. Never, ever send any money, to anyone who approaches you online, for any reason.

For further detailed information about online scams, just send $39.95 to Peninsularity Ensues for our comprehensive information package and webinar subscription.

Cheers.