scambaiter

Cons the cons

A scambaiter is someone who deliberately engages with scammers—typically online or phone fraudsters—to waste their time, gather information, or expose their operations.

The practice ranges from stringing along email scammers with absurd replies to elaborate schemes that keep fraudsters occupied for weeks: The scambaiter convinced a Nigerian prince scammer to send him photos holding ridiculous signs.

Some scambaiters document their exchanges for entertainment; others aim to protect potential victims by keeping scammers busy.

tactics

lure

Thing that tempts

decoyFalse target for misdirection
stingSharp wound from insect
trapDevice for catching animals

catfish · phishing · spoofing · pretexting · time-wasting

vigilante

justice

Fair treatment under law

activismDirect effort for reform
crusaderZealous advocate for change
avengerRetribution dealer

hero · defender · whistleblower · exposé · awareness · education · takedown · reporting · documentation

entertainment

YouTube

Video-sharing website

TwitchVideo game streaming site
streamingReal-time digital delivery
content-creatorProducer of online media

reaction · audience · viewer · comedy · humor · trolling · antics · parody · soundboard · character

deception

pretense

Deceptive outward show

masqueradeDeceptive act or costume party
charadeAbsurd or obvious pretense
guileSly, strategic dishonesty

subterfuge · trickery · artifice · persona · roleplay · acting · impersonation · misdirection · stalling

cybersecurity

malware

Harmful computer programs

RATRemote intrusion software
sandboxEnclosed play area
VPNEncrypted network connection

Opposites

role in scam interaction

scambaiterscammer

One who defrauds others

fraudster · con artist · con man · phisher · grifter

Family

Familiarity: Top 1,000,000
Profile: Used worldwide · Everyday, not technical · Rated PG