
SCARS Institute’s Encyclopedia of Scams™ Published Continuously for 25 Years

Scam Baiting (Jugando Con Estafadores) – No Es Buen Idea!
Nuestra posición oficial: Estamos totalmente en desacuerdo con Scambaiting y no lo recomendamos. Esto se debe a que nuestros estudios han demostrado que Scam Baiting solo hace que los estafadores sean mejores en su trabajo. Cuanto más tiempo pasan con diferentes scemarios, mejor se vuelven.
¿Qué es el timo de estafa?
El scam baiting (del inglés scam, «estafa», «timo» y baiting, «tentar», «tender una trampa») es una actividad que consiste en simular interés en un fraude por correo electrónico o estafa nigeriana con el fin de manipular al estafador para hacerle perder tiempo, molestarlo, obtener información que permita llevarlo ante la justicia con la esperanza de que sea procesado, o por simple diversión.
Esta actividad fue emprendida por algunos internautas en respuesta a las numerosas estafas aparecidas en Internet y conocidas en inglés con el nombre de scam. Muchas páginas web publican la transcripción de correspondencia entre los timadores y sus pretendidas víctimas.
Un trofeo codiciado por los scam baiters es el de la fotografía. Para conseguirla piden a los estafadores (a veces conocidos como «lads» o «mugus») pruebas físicas como una fotografía del estafador sosteniendo un cartel con señales acordadas de antemano o en poses ridículas con artículos personales (por ejemplo con un pescado sobre la cabeza).
Los scam baiters también hacen que los estafadores vayan a una empresa de giros de dinero a buscar el dinero supuestamente enviado o les piden hacer reservas en hoteles a su nombre. Incluso hay algunos scam baiters que han logrado recibir dinero de los estafadores.
Otras técnicas son:
- Dar a los estafadores un formulario largo y ridículo que deben completar.
- Llenarles las cuentas de correo con archivos adjuntos interminables.
- Obligar a los estafadores a realizar llamadas (usando servicios de VoIP anónimos) para que gasten tiempo y dinero.
- Acceder o «crackear» las cuentas de correo de los estafadores para conseguir el nombre y dirección de sus otras víctimas y avisarles acerca del fraude.
Una nueva técnica, de reciente desarrollo, es el «ASEM bait» (Accidentally Sent E-Mail – correo-e enviado por accidente). Engaña al estafador haciéndole pensar que el correo electrónico enviado es accidental mientras que la supuesta víctima realmente quiere comunicarse con un estafador.
Una ventaja de estas metodologías de scam baiting es que han permitido detectar muchas organizaciones fraudulentas, tanto financieras como bancarias, creadas por los mismos estafadores para posibilitar el movimiento de los fondos en un ambiente legítimo.
El scam baiting es una actividad potencialmente peligrosa. De todos modos no se conocen casos de scam baiters cuya identidad haya sido descubierta, ya que toda la actividad se desarrolla utilizando direcciones de correo falsas sin revelar detalles personales.
¡Jugar con criminales nunca es una buena idea!
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Important Information for New Scam Victims
- Please visit www.ScamVictimsSupport.org – a SCARS Website for New Scam Victims & Sextortion Victims
- Enroll in FREE SCARS Scam Survivor’s School now at www.SCARSeducation.org
- Please visit www.ScamPsychology.org – to more fully understand the psychological concepts involved in scams and scam victim recovery
If you are looking for local trauma counselors please visit counseling.AgainstScams.org or join SCARS for our counseling/therapy benefit: membership.AgainstScams.org
If you need to speak with someone now, you can dial 988 or find phone numbers for crisis hotlines all around the world here: www.opencounseling.com/suicide-hotlines
A Note About Labeling!
We often use the term ‘scam victim’ in our articles, but this is a convenience to help those searching for information in search engines like Google. It is just a convenience and has no deeper meaning. If you have come through such an experience, YOU are a Survivor! It was not your fault. You are not alone! Axios!
A Question of Trust
At the SCARS Institute, we invite you to do your own research on the topics we speak about and publish, Our team investigates the subject being discussed, especially when it comes to understanding the scam victims-survivors experience. You can do Google searches but in many cases, you will have to wade through scientific papers and studies. However, remember that biases and perspectives matter and influence the outcome. Regardless, we encourage you to explore these topics as thoroughly as you can for your own awareness.
Statement About Victim Blaming
Some of our articles discuss various aspects of victims. This is both about better understanding victims (the science of victimology) and their behaviors and psychology. This helps us to educate victims/survivors about why these crimes happened and to not blame themselves, better develop recovery programs, and to help victims avoid scams in the future. At times this may sound like blaming the victim, but it does not blame scam victims, we are simply explaining the hows and whys of the experience victims have.
These articles, about the Psychology of Scams or Victim Psychology – meaning that all humans have psychological or cognitive characteristics in common that can either be exploited or work against us – help us all to understand the unique challenges victims face before, during, and after scams, fraud, or cybercrimes. These sometimes talk about some of the vulnerabilities the scammers exploit. Victims rarely have control of them or are even aware of them, until something like a scam happens and then they can learn how their mind works and how to overcome these mechanisms.
Articles like these help victims and others understand these processes and how to help prevent them from being exploited again or to help them recover more easily by understanding their post-scam behaviors. Learn more about the Psychology of Scams at www.ScamPsychology.org
Psychology Disclaimer:
All articles about psychology and the human brain on this website are for information & education only
The information provided in this article is intended for educational and self-help purposes only and should not be construed as a substitute for professional therapy or counseling.
While any self-help techniques outlined herein may be beneficial for scam victims seeking to recover from their experience and move towards recovery, it is important to consult with a qualified mental health professional before initiating any course of action. Each individual’s experience and needs are unique, and what works for one person may not be suitable for another.
Additionally, any approach may not be appropriate for individuals with certain pre-existing mental health conditions or trauma histories. It is advisable to seek guidance from a licensed therapist or counselor who can provide personalized support, guidance, and treatment tailored to your specific needs.
If you are experiencing significant distress or emotional difficulties related to a scam or other traumatic event, please consult your doctor or mental health provider for appropriate care and support.
Also read our SCARS Institute Statement about Professional Care for Scam Victims – click here to go to our ScamsNOW.com website.
depende. si encuentra los verdaderos perfiles. a los cuales. usan sus fotos, ellos pueden hacer un denuncio. a los departamentos de policía informática de sus países. por suplantación de sus perfiles y estafas.
Por una parte es cierto lo que dices, pero por otra los estafadores evolucionan adaptandose a los diferentes medios de pago, sistemas operativos y demas. Scambaiting es hacerse pasar por una persona a la que se le va a estafar, ocupando tu lugar por el de una persona real a la que seguramente la estafen.
Lo sentimos, pero su justificación se basa en su propia ira. Scambaiting no previene nada, excepto su propia recuperación emocional.