Scamming Methods Exposed - Page 2

Glipster · 08-09-2007, 01:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superhal

The Psychology of Scamming

First of all, most scammers are not bad people. They are stupid people. They fell for a scam, and thus refuse to believe they are that stupid. Therefore, they try to catch somebody else with the same scam to make themselves feel less stupid.

If you have ever been the target of a scam attempt, often the scammer will screw up the trick and try for a do over. ("Oh wait wait wait!" or "Ha ha, you're too smart for that one eh?" being most common.)

There are actually very few true scammers. In reality, there are thousands of stupid people catching each other with the same tired tricks over and over again, thus, like a virus, expanding the number of scams being perpetuated. Imho, they are so stupid they can't even see the criminality of the act. There is only a little bit of vocabulary protecting them from being arrested for theft, which is the difference between an item and a virtual item. A virtual item can have value, and thus if it is stolen, you should be persecuted under the same laws that rule shoplifting or fraud. That the law only covers physical items is temporary and is bound to change, especially as virtual items start costing thousands of dollars.

So, the next time somebody tries to scam you, don't get mad. Feel sorry for the little bugger who wasn't sharp enough to figure out what happened to them first. I'm usually polite and say "Sorry you fell for that, but it won't work on me. Try somebody else." In general, this makes them feel 100X worse.

I completely disagree with your logic. I think you have deluded yourself. Feel bad for a scammer? I think not! Whether they themselves were scammed (doubtful) or not, it's wrong. They are taking advantage of ignorance.

Superhal · 08-09-2007, 01:29

Pepper,

Yep, there's certainly expert scammers out there, but few of us will ever meet them. They're out for the big hauls. Much more likely are the ones trying to feel less stupid.

Pepper · 08-09-2007, 01:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superhal

Pepper,

Yep, there's certainly expert scammers out there, but few of us will ever meet them. They're out for the big hauls. Much more likely are the ones trying to feel less stupid.

I really don't know where you getting your information about scammers being presumed victims from Superhal. There's very little support for your statements in Criminology and Psychology. One thing many scammers do have in common though, are that they often come from an environment that encourage, often even demands, such behavior due to poverty and lack of means.
I'll wont go any further in this, since it's off topic.

jw350 · 08-09-2007, 01:50

I heard about this one a weapons upgrade scam. They want you to give them your weapon and they will increase the fire rate.Can't be done no one can do this for you.

LarsMac · 08-09-2007, 02:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superhal

Pepper,

Yep, there's certainly expert scammers out there, but few of us will ever meet them. They're out for the big hauls. Much more likely are the ones trying to feel less stupid.

Well, I have met both the expert and the amateur. They are both equally detestable. It matters little to me why they are trying to scam. I will make every attempt to get them locked out, either way.

-Ra · 08-09-2007, 02:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superhal

Imho, they are so stupid they can't even see the criminality of the act. There is only a little bit of vocabulary protecting them from being arrested for theft, which is the difference between an item and a virtual item. A virtual item can have value, and thus if it is stolen, you should be persecuted under the same laws that rule shoplifting or fraud. That the law only covers physical items is temporary and is bound to change, especially as virtual items start costing thousands of dollars.

First let me start by saying I agree that scammers suck and it would be nice if they did not exist. But...
It actually, it is not theft, and unless MA is willing to change the EULA and declare that anything you have is yours, then there will neverbe any chance of prosicution. Infact, if MA was to lock an account for scamming, (without refunding any money deposited by the scammer) MA could face a possible lawsuit themselves. In most places I would imagine it is unlawfull for a company to offer a product and when the customer pays, he/she is entitled to some sort of service.
I don't know about Sweeden law, but I know a lawsuit could be opened in the USA against them. and knowing the hatred for big buisness' by Americans. the jury is sure to side against MA.

Anyway, back to ownership and theft. It can't be stolen if...
1- you don't own it, and the person who takes it also after taking still does not own it. Everything is MA's and since it is all nothing more than a bunch of lines of code, it can never be removed from game, therefore, never stolen. MA still has possession of their items.

Quote:

Originally Posted by EU EULA

7. Ownership
The System, including, but not limited to, computer code, text, graphics, audio files, logos, button icons, images, characters, items, concepts, data compilation and software, is the property of MindArk and protected by Swedish and international copyright laws.

MindArk, MindArk PE, Project Entropia, Entropia Universe and other marks indicated on the Entropia Universe’s website are registered trademarks of MindArk in Sweden. Any Entropia Universe design and any other MindArk graphics, logos or button icons are trademarks of MindArk.

Virtual items will often have names similar or identical to corresponding physical categories such as "people," "real estate," "possessions," and the names of specific items in those categories such as "house," "rifle," "tools," "armor," etc. Despite the similar names, all virtual items are part of the System and MindArk retains all rights, title, and interest in all parts including, but not limited to Avatars and Virtual Items; these retained rights include, without limitation, patent, copyright, trademark, trade secret and other proprietary rights throughout the world.

As part of your interactions with the System, you may acquire, create, design, or modify Virtual Items, but you agree that you will not gain any ownership interest whatsoever in any Virtual Item, and you hereby assign to MindArk all of your rights, title and interest in any such Virtual Item.

Sorry if this is a little off topic
I think thread is a great idea to get all scams out there to hopefully this will educate those who still don't know. +rep

Starrabbit · 08-09-2007, 03:02

I'm suprised no one has yet to mention they old Trade Scam where by the "Scammer" quickly clears the peds/items away from his window before confirmation. This in turn makes the BUYER think the peds/items is still in his window and accepting the trade. This was one of the first scam I was unfortunately a victim of about 2 years ago.

This of course can be avoided if the BUYER always always check the confirmation page to see if all items/peds are in order before accepting.

P.S. Is this Thread a scam too? Fishing for +reps? Well he scammed me... +rep for you..

Xen · 08-09-2007, 03:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pepper

- numerous people trough out history have found them self standing in total surprise with all their things gone, asking themselves: How did this happen? How could I be so stupid..?! The truth is that they weren't, it was just the scammer who was smarter.

Let's not give credit where it is not necessarily due. One certainly does not even have to possess average intelligence to be a good scammer. They just have to be selfish, insensitive, a good liar/storyteller, perhaps a bit patient (long term trust scams), and have no conscience whatsoever.

Pepper · 08-09-2007, 03:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Xen

Let's not give credit where it is not necessarily due. One certainly does not even have to possess average intelligence to be a good scammer. They just have to be selfish, insensitive, a good liar/storyteller, perhaps a bit patient (long term trust scams), and have no conscience whatsoever.

Don't forget a really good reader of people - which is what makes a scammer successful or not.
I have no admiration what so ever for scammers, and I'm certainly not trying to give them credit. That's the precise reason why i started this thread - to make it as tough as possibler for them to operate in this game.
What I do recognize though is that if they're successful - they're no fools as stated in the post I replied.
To underestimate your opponent is the most common reason for defeat.
Know your enemy.

Pepper · 08-09-2007, 04:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by -Ra

It actually, it is not theft, and unless MA is willing to change the EULA and declare that anything you have is yours, then there will neverbe any chance of prosicution. Infact, if MA was to lock an account for scamming, (without refunding any money deposited by the scammer) MA could face a possible lawsuit themselves. In most places I would imagine it is unlawfull for a company to offer a product and when the customer pays, he/she is entitled to some sort of service.
I don't know about Sweeden law, but I know a lawsuit could be opened in the USA against them. and knowing the hatred for big buisness' by Americans. the jury is sure to side against MA.

It's without a doubt a crime when you take something that belongs to someone else without that persons consent, claiming that an improvement is to be made for a fee, and then never return the item. Otherwise would very few cars ever be repaired in a shop. What of course MA could do if they wanted, was to implement a recite system regarding transactions in trading. But they won't.
MA reserves the right to terminate any account - without reason.
[5:6] Account Inactivity and Account Termination
MindArk may terminate this Agreement upon notice to the Participant. Such termination may be made without reason, and may be for one or more Participants. EULA]
Since you accept this ENTROPIA UNIVERSE END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT (EULA) every time you log on, you have in fact declined the right to a lawuit.
EU is soly bound by Swedish law.
[11]. Governing Law
This Agreement is to be governed by, construed and enforced according to the laws of Sweden. You agree that any future dispute that might arise between you and MindArk is to be governed by the laws of Sweden and that any principles of conflicts of laws will not be applicable with regards to this Agreement EULA]
Even if there would be a lawsuit in the US, there wouldn't be a Jury trail.

A hot tip is to spend a few minutes to actually read the EULA. Even if you don't understand the impact of the language according to the law - you atleast get an idea what rights you have - which can easily be summed up to: none.

This is partly the reason why I started this thread - we have to create a network to stop the scammers, and this is atleast one way of exposing thier strategies.

I hope more people will see the importance of this thread and contribute with tips on how the scammers operate. Knowledge is the best tool we got against the scammers - let's use it.