TESTIMONY. How I Tried to Trap a Scammer on the Internet…Before Things Got Out of Order

A few days ago, while scrolling on Instagram, Elise, a 26-year-old law student, receives the subscription request from an account to say the least… intriguing. Profile shows photo of a middle-aged, attractive manwhose short biography mentions his financial situation exceptional and its degree of confidence. “Immediately, I knew it was nonsense,” the young woman tells us. But I wanted trap him, take him at his own gamebecause I find that these practices are really disgusting, so I accepted his request.”

Elise probably came across a grazer : that is to say, a scammer operating on social networks by seducing their victim before extorting them, more or less finely.

His new contact was quick to throw his hook. “Within seconds, I received a message, in English, like his profile. He was explaining to me that he was looking for a young woman like me, to maintain“, continues Elise.

Initially, the situation amuses the student. She decides to play the game. “He told me that as a sugar daddy, he could make me transfers of at least 5000 euros per week. I told him that I was in agreement”, she explains.

“An email stating that a transfer of 5000 euros had been made to my address”

But Elise is not gullible. In a few clicks, it performs photo search on google with the avatar of his future “benefactor”, and discovers that it is from a stolen snapshot. On several forums, mention is made of many “fake profiles” using this photo in order to attract their prey.

“Very quickly, he told me that I could trust him, and he even sent me screenshots and videos supposedly from its other “beneficiaries” who rejoiced at having received large sums”. Elise sends him her email address, and asks for a payment within the hour to be sure he is trustworthy. This is where the crook begins to place his pawns, discreetly. But the law student know these techniques well.

He sent me an email stating that a transfer of 5000 euros had been made to my address. But of course, it was through an obscure application, and he explained to me that, in order for me to access the money, that I do some manipulations which included, giving him access to my accounts – Elise, student

“Your blood will start to die”

Elise pretends not to understand: she makes him repeat the same sentences a dozen times. “He never let go, it was hilarious,” laughs the young woman.

In the end, she decides to make him understand that she was never fooled. She sends him a link to an article mentioning the fraudulent use of his profile picture, promising to report his account.

This is where the exchange takes an unexpected turn.

“He became very aggressive. He told me : ‘May God hurt your parents. You are cursed now. Your blood will start to die”, relates the student.

The formula would not have worried Elise so much if she had not been accompanied of a picture for the less sinister. “He sent me the photo of a scary African statuette explaining to me that he had in turn reported me to his idol and that I was now marabouted“, she launches.

Elise blocked her profile… However, two days later, a new surprise awaited him in his private messages.

It was him, he had sent me a simple “Hello”. And he changed his picture. I don’t understand how it’s possible, because I had blocked it. – Elise, student

Elise also does not understand why her account is still active: she had however reported it to the Instagram platform in the processfor fraud and attempted extortion.