We all have little quirks to our character. Things that don’t really make sense. One of mine is that I love winding up scammers. And today is no exception.
Yesterday I received a friend request from what looked like quite an elderly lady called Jacinta Halpin. I wondered whether I should accept it. If I’m going to be a famous author, I need as many “friends” as I can. So I accepted and forgot about it.
Then today things got interesting when I got the following message –
JC
Hello Mark
How are you doing?
Ah, that’s nice of the sweet old lady. Might as well be nice and reply.
Me
I’m doing good and u?
JC
Good to hear from you. I’m doing amazingly well too. I have been trying to reach you here because I saw your name on the (DHHS) list. Have you heard from them yet?
Game on. I didn’t expect this convo to become interesting.
Me
Who are the DHHS?
Play dumb. I want the fun to last.
JC
The Department of health and human services , they have a campaign program to help pensioners, workers, youth, old and disabled with money in the community and your name was on the winner list . Did you get anything from them?
Ah ha, I have been targeted. All is fair in love, war and scamming.
Me
Nope.
How much will I get?
JC
Oh, really? I received 150,000 cash from the program when I applied and you don’t have to pay it back , do you know how to apply for the program?
Me
No, sounds super.
How do I apply?
JC
A link appears on a picture of a suited man with an American flag in the background. It appears to be another Facebook page.
Click on the link it we lead you to the agent page message them that you are ready to apply for your own winning money okay
No way I’m clicking but you don’t know that.
Do I have to give my bank details?
I have them here if needed
So happy I’m getting money from US Dept even though i’m in Ireland
i’m so lucky
thank you so much
JC
You didn’t have to give that
Have you message the agent?
The fun
yes
& I was about to lose the house
the kids have been starving all day
JC
Trust me I don’t want you to be skeptical about this, everything about this program is real and legit. You know I can’t pull your leg into a scam or to hurt you no I can’t do such, Just put your mind at rest
Any respond from the agent?
The scammer is getting suspicious. Why is everyone so paranoid?
no not yet
i know you wouldn’t scam me
Why won’t he email me?
JC
Text me your email
I text him my dodgy email I use for nefarious purposes. He replies with a thumbs-up emoji.
Me
Still no email?
JC
Just click on the link and message the agent now so that he can proceed on your winning money
Me
I did
didn’t work
can you get email sent to me
?
will try that way
JC
Email xxxxxxxx@gmail.com
Message them on
email right now
?
Me
sent email
so excited
Why did you unsend your email?
Still waiting
JC sent a thumbs up emoji
I now have one less Facebook “friend”.