Scammer on the loose aiming at new authors

[Shorgoth]

Just wanted to let you guys know, my friend and I both got independently contacted by the same scammer using the same cookie-cutter text to approach us with different accounts.

"You’ve got me seriously invested in this story! I’ve been picturing some amazing art ideas while reading. If you’d be interested, we could work together on creating something special! Let me know if you want to chat more on Insta, Discord, or email!"

I've seen this scam before. Basically, they claim to be a fan and want to "collaborate," then produce crap stuff and try to charge new authors after the fact using a mix of coercion, threats and shaming. Just wanted to let you know that such a person was currently roaming around and to report them if you meet them.

 

[VenerableOne]

You’ve got me seriously invested in this post! I’ve been picturing some amazing comment ideas while reading. If you’d be interested, we could work together on creating something funny! Let me know if you want to chat more on scribblehub!

 

[ThisAdamGuy]

I'm pretty everyone knows about this one already, and if they're dumb enough to fall for it...I would like them to know that they have my deepest sympathies, and I would be honored to represent them in court while we sue these scammers (because I definitely am a lawyer) for the deplorable crime they are committing against these beautiful people. I'll get straight to work preparing their case, I just need them to send me $500 through PayPal as a good faith advance payment.

 

[Shorgoth]

That's why they target the new kids.

 

[RainyLiquid]

Yep.

 

[DireBadger]

people will learn their lesson... hopefully.

As much as I hate to say it, and as rough as it sounds, it's a learning experience. someone has to help them tap the stupid off, and a couple of hundred bucks is a cheap lesson for teaching 'em how to recognize scum.

 

[Maya_Dere]

I'm pretty everyone knows

Ok. Weird flex.

 

[ThisAdamGuy]

Ok. Weird flex.

Don't hate me because I'm beautiful

 

[Shorgoth]

2 more very recent (less than 3 days old) accounts (no activity) contacted me since... not sure if it's because my book is doing really well or there is a scammer plague going on right now. How frequently do fans send you messages? No outright weirdness with those two yet... but I am wary about anything at this point XD

 

[3guanoff]

How frequently do fans send you messages? No outright weirdness with those two yet... but I am wary about anything at this point XD

I've got one this year, but I am a sporadic presence. If your stories are receiving serious attention, I'd say it would not be too surprising to receive one or two a month.

 

[dekadust]

Someone on Wattpad literally contacted me with this. Didn't respond, but now I am glad I didn't.

 

[Shorgoth]

I've got one this year, but I am a sporadic presence. If your stories are receiving serious attention, I'd say it would not be too surprising to receive one or two a month.

I'm at 4 in 3 days now XD it's the same spamming me nonstop.

 

[Xam_I_Am]

I've become extremely adept at identifying these jagoffs. Random glowing comment on my story's latest chapter from someone following a bunch of authors, but an empty non-disabled reading list. Reported. Honestly, looking at their reading list is probably the easiest way to tell, cause they are too dumb to figure out how to disable it. Basically, anyone sending an unsolicited DM saying how much they love your story without being on the radar is 95% more likely a scammer. Which is sad. But part of the reason I like SH is it makes it super easy to identify them and they are really fast at removing them from the website.

 

[LeilaniOtter]

I've reported six so far today.
I guess as the weather gets colder, their desperation ratchets up for the winter. ?
Everyone, please be mindful of "The Lounge" area. They're apparently not smart enough not to telegraph their movements and intentions to the whole site, so you can catch them quite easily here. Just check for their "Activity" and viola. Instant report.

 

[miw]

I received a similar message... They said I had good character ideas and asked for my social media account. I didn't understand why they needed social media for that so naturally I said I don't have one. Should I report them? I'm new to this platform and thank you very much for giving such a warning.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

I've reported six so far today.
I guess as the weather gets colder, their desperation ratchets up for the winter. ?
Everyone, please be mindful of "The Lounge" area. They're apparently not smart enough not to telegraph their movements and intentions to the whole site, so you can catch them quite easily here. Just check for their "Activity" and viola. Instant report.

The activity seems to peak during the first weeks of a school term and during breaks, or at least it did last time I tried following this stuff (before COVID so patterns may be gone now).

 

[JayMark]

I'm pretty everyone knows about this one already, and if they're dumb enough to fall for it...I would like them to know that they have my deepest sympathies, and I would be honored to represent them in court while we sue these scammers (because I definitely am a lawyer) for the deplorable crime they are committing against these beautiful people. I'll get straight to work preparing their case, I just need them to send me $500 through PayPal as a good faith advance payment.

 

[melchi]

The trick to avoid these things is to start your story off praising the republic of china.

 

[ThisAdamGuy]

View attachment 42593

I'll DM you my PayPal info.

 

[LeilaniOtter]

The trick to avoid these things is to start your story off praising the republic of china.

How about starting off a DM you get with this?

"Oh my god, no no no, you can't be here! I'm working this site. Didn't you go to the convention? We had a meeting to designate who goes to where. You're unfortunately in my site now. Scram!" ? ?