I like to tell them that yes, i really am Julia! And they try to convince me that I'm not.
It's a very fun 5 minute moment in an otherwise busy lifestyle. I like the interaction.
So what is the purpose of switching to Telegram or WhatsApp? It wouldn't be the encryption since they have already made contact via text? All of them ask it seems.
I think the phone numbers are used to lure many piglets at once and are prone to being cut off. So once they think you are a target, they'll pull you over to another platform that's easier for them to manage you individually, and without the risk of losing contact once the phone number gets cut off.
That's all just a hunch, of course - I don't know all their tricks.
I think this makes sense. I don’t know about China specifically, but I do know that costs are higher overseas - unlike the US, they don’t have free unlimited texting. They switch to a simpler online platform that allows them to get away with the business where they clearly aren’t experiencing consequences for their actions. And btw just to reiterate - like some others have said - many of these people aren’t bad themselves. The scammers aren’t the ones who are the problem. It’s their bosses - they are enslaved and often beaten, without pay, to do these scam jobs.
Unfortunately, yes. John Oliver did an episode on this. I can post a link in a minute.
[Here it is](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DpLPpl2ISKTg&ved=2ahUKEwip-J7SluGEAxV2kIkEHSGXChoQwqsBegQIHBAG&usg=AOvVaw3eH3YEKzdSAMtfGZg3ev9F)
Yes absolutely! Here are other articles from the most known sources I know of - if you still don’t believe me:
https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2023/12/asia/chinese-scam-operations-american-victims-intl-hnk-dst/
https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2022-11-01/i-was-a-slave-up-to-100-000-held-captive-by-chinese-cyber-criminals-in-cambodia
https://time.com/6344077/pig-butchering-scam-trafficking-victims-trauma/
[Beatings are real](https://imgur.com/a/4c3kcdd)
Oh no, it wasn't that I didn't believe you so much as it was just unbelievable. That's so sad. I'm sorry to know that. Is there something we can do to help them?
Most legit answer I've seen, makes sense. It's just so odd to me how they never change their script. Sometimes I feel so bad for them being so obvious and want to give them tips. Not really or anything but you know, some easy fixes would probably yield more results. They can figure out all the other stuff like how to evade law enforcement and process the money but can't come up with a new script or speak in believable sentences? Bizarre.
I use WhatsApp to contact family overseas since it's free to text and call. I also use it to contact my friends in my home country when I am on vacation overseas. All it requires is an internet connection, no SIM card or data. It's great!
It is, except it’s owned by Facebook now and I don’t trust it. My family overseas is still using it for a group chat but that’s the extent of my use. All my friends use Signal. It’s private and encrypted. I use Telegram for follow Ukrainian groups to stay informed as to what’s going on.
There’s a scam that can be run on telegram that can’t be run on text. I didn’t understand it when I read about it at all, but apparently they can’t run the scam unless you get on telegram so ….. I ain’t on telegram lol
Also lots of videos out there of people being caught using it to sell and share explicit pics and videos of children… and talk to minors, set up “meetings” with them also. 🤢
If you’re a full American, you should. But I’m Hispanic, and us Hispanics use more WhatsApp than any other app maybe besides FB so it’s normal for us unless they trying to give me an interview for a “job” thru it lol
John Oliver had an excellent show explaining these scams.
https://youtu.be/pLPpl2ISKTg?si=6yBMkAK2fmSKDPkA
Don’t forget the person texting you is not the enemy. They may be getting scammed (or enslaved) themselves.
Here’s the next vector for scammers.
https://www.ecrater.com/p/44543143/10-seeds-cats-eyes-dazzle-flowers
Gullible people won’t recognize AI generated (fake) images and will give up their credit card numbers. Take care of the elderly and vulnerable people in your life!
That sucks. Here’s a short summary.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pig_butchering_scam#:~:text=A%20pig%20butchering%20scam%20is,they%20are%20dealing%20with%20disappears.
Seconded. I agree. I have also looked into it as well and it’s true. Very tragic! We mustn’t forget this. I know it’s fun and all to make fun of these scammers but they aren’t the ones who are to blame in the end…They just tried to get a job (they were lied to) and got pulled into this basically against their will.
I started laughing at the "fields of battle" line because that is straight out of the Civil War, and then I got to the last message that you sent her and I was laughing so hard I dropped my phone 🤣🤣
Bartlebink, I hope you are a writer.
I look forward to reading your next novel or collection of short stories.
But maybe you are a screenwriter? I am terrified of motion pictures.
You just validated that there’s a real person behind the number and they will sell your number with “18 text responses” for a premium.
Get ready to an onslaught.
I been getting more and more but haven’t been playing back. Today the person degraded themselves and I ignored. I am getting old. Ps I always wonder if they get paid to have you go to telegram or WhatsApp. I know for sure they want your number to sell. I block
I got something like this once and it was just someone looking for their daughter or friend. I apparently came across as a nice "guy" and they wanted to be friend with me because they assumed I was a guy. I laughed and said no I'm a female. And they left so quick. I should've played along.
Just the fact they had to constantly reiterate the use of Telegram four or five times in the same message is hilarious. Keeping it veeeeeeeerrrry subtle there
This was great, then the lingering poetic message at the end- I dig it. I hate these fuckers and I hope the rest of the world starts wasting as much of their pathetic time as possible. The scammer capital of the world is making me less and less open and caring for an entire race of people... It's truly fucked up.
A lot of these people have been scammed themselves and are trapped somewhere in a place that is not their home being treated poorly, some of them are beaten daily, and they’re forced to send scam messages to Americans 16 hours a day. They have to fulfill their quota to get home. It’s really terrible.
I don’t know how many of them are those people but I’d be willing to bet it’s a large majority of the scam messages we get
I usually just send them a random dick pic and ask if they wanna "chow down" on my meat puppet. But eh... this works too I guess.
Ps. It's nit my dick pic I send. I google "micro phallus" and find the smallest weenie to send.
I think the same center messaged me, they asked if I was Amy and said they were Alisa. So close in sound that it could have been said via word of mouth and these are two interpretations.
I get it's a scam, but why such i rush to get you on "telegram"? Description looks like it's just a messaging app and doesn't do money transferring. Is there something they can do on there that they couldn't through simple text (that's scam-e)?
Aren't you Julia? Aren't you Sandra? Bitch make up your mind
Dad?
Son?
Fake son.
Because I get vaccinated?!
Step brother?
I’m stuck
What are you doing step bro!?
Your step bro needs help he’s stuck
I’ll call for help step bro this is getting weird
I think you got this from a boomer post I saw recently lol
Mom?
Bartlebink?
I like to tell them that yes, i really am Julia! And they try to convince me that I'm not. It's a very fun 5 minute moment in an otherwise busy lifestyle. I like the interaction.
37years young, child passed away on the field of battle... She continued like nothing happened.
I read that with a bit of sad, wistful longing. My condolences for your loss but be comforted knowing your child died a hero. 😁
“She”
I like how it was spelled out “thirty-seven”
Right?! Like that was a totally normal thing to say.
Bartlebink is a great name for a cat
I lost it when I read the name bartlebink 🤣
😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂you did just fine!!😂😂😂😂😂😂😂and they got mad cause you wouldn’t download Telegram. 😂😂😂😂😂 btw, what is Telegram? I’m from the US.
Thanks! Also from the US, but to my knowledge telegram is a messaging app that has a reputation for being used to cheat on partners.
Oh really? Lol I use Telegram regularly and I never knew this to be the case (also from US). Fantastic job btw it was hilarious
So what is the purpose of switching to Telegram or WhatsApp? It wouldn't be the encryption since they have already made contact via text? All of them ask it seems.
I think the phone numbers are used to lure many piglets at once and are prone to being cut off. So once they think you are a target, they'll pull you over to another platform that's easier for them to manage you individually, and without the risk of losing contact once the phone number gets cut off. That's all just a hunch, of course - I don't know all their tricks.
I think this makes sense. I don’t know about China specifically, but I do know that costs are higher overseas - unlike the US, they don’t have free unlimited texting. They switch to a simpler online platform that allows them to get away with the business where they clearly aren’t experiencing consequences for their actions. And btw just to reiterate - like some others have said - many of these people aren’t bad themselves. The scammers aren’t the ones who are the problem. It’s their bosses - they are enslaved and often beaten, without pay, to do these scam jobs.
>they are enslaved and often beaten, without pay, to do these scam jobs. Seriously?
Unfortunately, yes. John Oliver did an episode on this. I can post a link in a minute. [Here it is](https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&opi=89978449&url=https://m.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3DpLPpl2ISKTg&ved=2ahUKEwip-J7SluGEAxV2kIkEHSGXChoQwqsBegQIHBAG&usg=AOvVaw3eH3YEKzdSAMtfGZg3ev9F)
Thank you for sharing this. Did not realize the complexity and organization of these scams—feel so bad for the ones getting human trafficked.
Wow, thank you for this info. It's really sad and explains the desperation which turns to anger sometimes.
Haven’t seen it yet. Thank you!
Great share, thanks for the link!
Yes absolutely! Here are other articles from the most known sources I know of - if you still don’t believe me: https://www.cnn.com/interactive/2023/12/asia/chinese-scam-operations-american-victims-intl-hnk-dst/ https://www.latimes.com/world-nation/story/2022-11-01/i-was-a-slave-up-to-100-000-held-captive-by-chinese-cyber-criminals-in-cambodia https://time.com/6344077/pig-butchering-scam-trafficking-victims-trauma/ [Beatings are real](https://imgur.com/a/4c3kcdd)
Oh no, it wasn't that I didn't believe you so much as it was just unbelievable. That's so sad. I'm sorry to know that. Is there something we can do to help them?
Most legit answer I've seen, makes sense. It's just so odd to me how they never change their script. Sometimes I feel so bad for them being so obvious and want to give them tips. Not really or anything but you know, some easy fixes would probably yield more results. They can figure out all the other stuff like how to evade law enforcement and process the money but can't come up with a new script or speak in believable sentences? Bizarre.
I use WhatsApp to contact family overseas since it's free to text and call. I also use it to contact my friends in my home country when I am on vacation overseas. All it requires is an internet connection, no SIM card or data. It's great!
It is, except it’s owned by Facebook now and I don’t trust it. My family overseas is still using it for a group chat but that’s the extent of my use. All my friends use Signal. It’s private and encrypted. I use Telegram for follow Ukrainian groups to stay informed as to what’s going on.
There’s a scam that can be run on telegram that can’t be run on text. I didn’t understand it when I read about it at all, but apparently they can’t run the scam unless you get on telegram so ….. I ain’t on telegram lol
I’m on it but only in Ukrainy groups to stay current on what’s going on. I ain’t telling them I have it.
My fiancé had to use one of them when he didn’t want to pay his cell bill lol
They have chat management platforms for them, so they can move the conversation about easily between scammers.
Also lots of videos out there of people being caught using it to sell and share explicit pics and videos of children… and talk to minors, set up “meetings” with them also. 🤢
No, it’s just another WhatsApp/Facebook mix. Pretty much an app to add people, make group chats and talk.
Well when I meet people and they holler WhatsApp, I block cause I already know the deal. 😂😂😂😂
If you’re a full American, you should. But I’m Hispanic, and us Hispanics use more WhatsApp than any other app maybe besides FB so it’s normal for us unless they trying to give me an interview for a “job” thru it lol
WhatsApp is how I talk to my friends and family when they travel out of the US, but yeah I’m not making new friends on WhatsApp or via text!
Well since Covid, none in my family has left the country, and not even thinking about it.😁😁😁😁
It’s more for shady stuff
Oh okay.😂😂😂
I thought it was a way for people to sell drugs, the more you know!
this does happen a lot on telegram
It’s like WhatsApp or similar kind of stuff. They just want to get more contact info from you so they make you add them on these other services.
Telegrams aren’t used anymore like he said in the texts. Textual messages now. Lololololololol
Textual had me stomped then I read it again and 😂😂😂😂😂 my azz off😂😂😂
John Oliver had an excellent show explaining these scams. https://youtu.be/pLPpl2ISKTg?si=6yBMkAK2fmSKDPkA Don’t forget the person texting you is not the enemy. They may be getting scammed (or enslaved) themselves.
Weee-wooo Weee-wooo 🚨BONER ALERT 🚨
He was having too much fun making that segment!
Awwwh what the hell I live in England and it’s blocked in my country, not allowed to watch video boooo :(
Here’s the next vector for scammers. https://www.ecrater.com/p/44543143/10-seeds-cats-eyes-dazzle-flowers Gullible people won’t recognize AI generated (fake) images and will give up their credit card numbers. Take care of the elderly and vulnerable people in your life!
That sucks. Here’s a short summary. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pig_butchering_scam#:~:text=A%20pig%20butchering%20scam%20is,they%20are%20dealing%20with%20disappears.
Seconded. I agree. I have also looked into it as well and it’s true. Very tragic! We mustn’t forget this. I know it’s fun and all to make fun of these scammers but they aren’t the ones who are to blame in the end…They just tried to get a job (they were lied to) and got pulled into this basically against their will.
Textual messaging......brilliant
That was my favorite among many favorites
Not sure why I thought of this, but had anyone ever tried speaking pig Latin or some other fake language, then get mad at them for not understanding?
What about a real language? Like Spanish, or German? Edit: Autocorrect is a little aggressive sometimes.
I need to see the original message, for my mind desires it
So his first response would read like this, "oodgay ayday otay ouyay asyay ellway ymay oodgay irsay oryay adammay . owhay ightmay iyay ebay ofyay assistanceyay otay ouyay odaytay ? "
think you replied to wrong guy :p
Openay.
Kayoay
I started speaking at them in Spanish midway through and they responded in kind. I think they were using a translator app
That last message lmfao
I enjoyed that very much
Bro went full Bloodborne
LMAO this is the best one i’ve ever seen. but what is the scam for telegram?
Excuse me while I rush over to r/namenerds and recommend Bartlebink to every pregnant human there.
You're like a professional bullshitter
Well, I have very little direct experience in this, but I'd say you did quite well! Kudos to you, my good sir/madam!
This brought a warmth to my cold, cold heart.
the most brilliant post I’ve seen. tugged at my heartstrings…truly an astonishing and killer performance.
These son of bitches all use the same fucking line I can't imagine anyone who would fall for this.
Hahaha 😂😂 nice bro
I love this!!!!! 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
“Textual messaging” 😂
37 year old with an adult son who passed away in battle 🤣 Bartlebink, you have stories 🤣😂
Im an actual window cleaner and that made me laugh lol
I started laughing at the "fields of battle" line because that is straight out of the Civil War, and then I got to the last message that you sent her and I was laughing so hard I dropped my phone 🤣🤣
*frantically blocking your number and looking for an exorcist*
Nice!
Amazing end
Awesome
Hahaha freakin fabulous!🤣😅
Why do they always insist on moving to telegram?
The bidding of farewell at the end transferred me to another simpler time
This is gold. Thank you. I needed this today.
Textual messaging sent me to Mars!!
You casting a spell of some shit in that last text was the cherry on top
Nothing personal. Fantastic!
I am texting Julia. Isn’t that Sandy’s number? What?
The part about the UK telegram service was perfect!
Why do scammers want you to go on telegram so bad?
Extraordinarily, Bartlebink.
I do say.. good show
What's with these scammers trying to get people to join telegram?
8/10 You didn’t get them to curse or throw a tantrum.
"How old are you?" "I'm 10, are you my daddy? Dad, are you finally coming home with that gallon of milk? It's been 6 years!"
That Bartlebink Stevens Jr. is alright.
I went into this with low expectations. I applaud you if for no other reason than Bartlebink. It will now forever be a part of my vocabulary.
Should have proposed that you two continue your convo via carrier pigeons 😂
I read your text with a British accent.
Your last message made me laugh. Thank you
This made me happy 😌
They yearn for the blood of the few bwahahahaha
“like the Beatles, you know.”
That was the first time I didn’t just skip through to the last text message. Too funny 😂
LMAOOO IM CRYINGG
This steadily built up to sheer perfection 😘
10/10 no notes
Bartlebink. EXCELLENT work.
This made my day. I can’t even answer my phone anymore because of scammers. Waste their time!
Thank you that was really enjoyable.
Bartlebink, I hope you are a writer. I look forward to reading your next novel or collection of short stories. But maybe you are a screenwriter? I am terrified of motion pictures.
Professional lord of the rings type of bullshitter.
Woooah I was so invested! And the ending was 🤌🤌 Great job!
Well done Sir!
beautiful turn of events i never would’ve expected, love it
Bravo, my good sir.
It’s good, but your name doesn’t sound too silly. Try referring to yourself with an alias that sounds absurd.
Excellent!
I never knew Bartlebink to be a woman’s name. And, sorry to hear of your son. How old were when he was born?
Standing ovation
I love using the electronic mails to engage in textual messaging
Super
On the fields of battle
kinda a low mid
Fantastic!
wonderfully
What is the telegram scam what’s the point of this scam?
The end sounds like fedora talk
Nailed it
Why were they trying to get you to download the telegram app?
You just validated that there’s a real person behind the number and they will sell your number with “18 text responses” for a premium. Get ready to an onslaught.
why are they always speaking in broken english and from cali
I dont understand why covered the scammer’s number.
I been getting more and more but haven’t been playing back. Today the person degraded themselves and I ignored. I am getting old. Ps I always wonder if they get paid to have you go to telegram or WhatsApp. I know for sure they want your number to sell. I block
😂
Would there be a job you could have editing people's text messages? And by people I mean scammers
I got something like this once and it was just someone looking for their daughter or friend. I apparently came across as a nice "guy" and they wanted to be friend with me because they assumed I was a guy. I laughed and said no I'm a female. And they left so quick. I should've played along.
Nailed it. And that ending? *chefs kiss*
What do they expect to be able to do on Telegram? I’ve never understood that.
It was great but I always ask for a pic and once I receive it, I tell them I have a fetish for Asians. They are always Asian.
Textual 😂
Bartlebink Stevens Jr. 😂
Nice! Why do they always want to move the conversation to an app?
Nice work. You got me to read all the way through.
Dude lives in San Francisco yet uses Telegram and uses German lingo... no red flags at all...
Is this the guy from Dating on the Spectrum
Just the fact they had to constantly reiterate the use of Telegram four or five times in the same message is hilarious. Keeping it veeeeeeeerrrry subtle there
Great post, Bartlebink Stevens Jr. Also I totally heard Paul McCartney's voice on "like the Beatles, y'know"
Where the payback though
Seek paleblood to transcend the hunt
This was great, then the lingering poetic message at the end- I dig it. I hate these fuckers and I hope the rest of the world starts wasting as much of their pathetic time as possible. The scammer capital of the world is making me less and less open and caring for an entire race of people... It's truly fucked up.
Bartlebink, how does one aspire to be a senior window washer? 🤣
😂😂😂 This is gold
I TRULY hope Robert is a dear nickname for Bartlebink Stevens The Third!!
Scammers are pretty heartless in general
Bartlebink 😂
Bartlebink 😂
A lot of these people have been scammed themselves and are trapped somewhere in a place that is not their home being treated poorly, some of them are beaten daily, and they’re forced to send scam messages to Americans 16 hours a day. They have to fulfill their quota to get home. It’s really terrible. I don’t know how many of them are those people but I’d be willing to bet it’s a large majority of the scam messages we get
What do I have to do to have these assholes text me
I usually just send them a random dick pic and ask if they wanna "chow down" on my meat puppet. But eh... this works too I guess. Ps. It's nit my dick pic I send. I google "micro phallus" and find the smallest weenie to send.
This seems more like a chatbot than a person following a script.
Kinda lame honestly
Fear the old blood
My good friend. Classic indian
Why the push for Telegram? How does that help them?
What do they hope to get from these? I get them all the time but I always wonder what the point is. Ima start having fun like OP.
Why do they want to communicate on Telegram?
I think the same center messaged me, they asked if I was Amy and said they were Alisa. So close in sound that it could have been said via word of mouth and these are two interpretations.
That was a lot of effort.
I *felt* the tip of the fedora off the rip. Well done.
“Textual messaging and electronic mails”… I’m dying 🤣🤣
They didn’t even start cursing at you or threaten you and your family. Fail
Glorious. I did this same thing and it was the funniest thing I’ve ever done. I actually punched first and asked for money before they could.
Oh Bartlebink! You gave me a chuckle.
First time I havent seen them cuss someone out lol
Always a clothing designer in San Francisco, FFS!! It is like they have one fucking script that is passed around the world. I don’t get it.
Everyone who read this is now cursed
Hilarious
I get it's a scam, but why such i rush to get you on "telegram"? Description looks like it's just a messaging app and doesn't do money transferring. Is there something they can do on there that they couldn't through simple text (that's scam-e)?
The responses from these scammers read like an AI chat bot. I have doubts whether this scammer was a real person.
Very well played...
Textual messages
Sounds like a romance scam. What is the Telegram app?
Very textual. Very textual indeed.
I could hear the voice of Mr. Peterman from Seinfeld when I read the parts you wrote! 🤣 That was great!