Let's identify a scammer!

[RivCA]

Yep, I fell for it, hook line and stinker. Wound up burned out of a total of $300 for AI-generated cover art.

To say the least, I feel like a tool.

 

[McPhoenixDavid]

Yep, I fell for it, hook line and stinker. Wound up burned out of a total of $300 for AI-generated cover art.

To say the least, I feel like a tool.

I'm sorry to hear that. Is it "Echoes of Lescatié"?

 

[FRWriter]

Yep, I fell for it, hook line and stinker. Wound up burned out of a total of $300 for AI-generated cover art.

To say the least, I feel like a tool.

300?!?!

Just how?! Even the best and most talented artists change that amount.

Didn't he show you examples or earlier works? Also, why do you spend 300 bucks if you yourself don't earn money from your stories...?

You must have done SOME research at least? Do a chargeback!

How long ago was it? If you need help, talk to us; maybe there is something that can still be done. PayPal is able to charge back your money as long as you didn't send it via friends & family.

At least give us details so others don't fall for it.

 

[FRWriter]

Thanks, scammer.

 

[Alski]

View attachment 44758

Thanks, scammer.

Generic lube to get you prepped.

 

[FRWriter]

Thanks, scammer No. 2.

 

[Firestorm22345]

Nowadays, scammers are using various approaches to fool people. Sometimes as obvious as a cow pretending to be a bear, sometimes less obvious.

Scammers follow two comment method (my term, ahem.):





Bing! I think at least a few authors fall for this.

If you're suspicious about an user, then...

Check their ID: how old is this? Is it new? If yes, scammer: 90%.

Check their activity: if it looks like this: scammer alert!
View attachment 44330
If their activity is empty, then check their reading list: is it organised? Or very saturated and give no sense of the user's taste?

A true artist doesn’t beg for commissions: unless they have no self-respect.

Feel free to add your own advice and ideas!

I spotted a suspicious one, likely to be the scammer, for two weeks. She asked me about ideas but thankfully, I got all of my plans to write and I just kick her by saying "Thanks you for your offer", which is the Best Move with Chess Language.

 

[FRWriter]

I spotted a suspicious one, likely to be the scammer, for two weeks. She asked me about ideas but thankfully, I got all of my plans to write and I just kick her by saying "Thanks you for your offer", which is the Best Move with Chess Language.

"Her"

99.9% a guy, trying to scam you. These fake artists are mostly female because they try to scam mostly men. Never trust a single thing they say it's all lies.

 

[Firestorm22345]

"Her"

99.9% a guy, trying to scam you. These fake artists are mostly female because they try to scam mostly men. Never trust a single thing they say it's all lies.

I know. I just checked "him" with best move.

 

[JayMark]

Nowadays, scammers are using various approaches to fool people. Sometimes as obvious as a cow pretending to be a bear, sometimes less obvious.

I'll have you know that when I shape shift into a bear, it's not obvious at all.
By the way, your story is so compelling. It changed my life and cured my grandpa's diabeetus.
Now let's chat on discord to discuss my commission fees on the art I made for you.
Did you know about convenience pay?
You can pay by buying gift cards and sending us the codes!

 

[LeilaniOtter]

Bear in mind, if you do get swindled into paying for AI art, I believe Paypal has a dispute system, and you can easily get your funds back.

• Log In & Find Transaction: Go to your PayPal account, find the transaction in your Activity, and click "Report a Problem" or go to the Resolution Center.
• Select Issue: Choose "Dispute a Transaction" and select your reason (Item Not Received, Significantly Not as Described).
• Communicate (20 Days): Message the seller through the Resolution Center to resolve it directly (e.g., ask for a refund/resend).
• Escalate to Claim (If Needed): If no resolution, escalate the dispute to a claim within 20 days by clicking "File a Claim" in the Resolution Center.
• PayPal Investigates: PayPal reviews the case, requests info, and makes a final decision, holding funds until then.

More often than not, Paypal takes the side against the scammer, and they can check for other transactions they might have done, flag them, possibly even ban them from the service.

 

[Avarice_Of_The_Seven]

When spammers praise your story and invite you to their discord, what exactly do they do there when you go on discord?

I have found only one scammer when I posted my novel on SH but there were a ton of them When I posted it on Webnovel.

All said the same thing.
That they got captivated by my story and gave a discord link, they wanted to discuss writing tips and platform tips.
I deleted those comments because their scams were too obvious. Like; how can anyone get captivated by a story in just one or two chapters?

But still, I got kinda curious. What do they do once you visit that discord link? How exactly do they scam you?

(I wanna know....?)

 

[FRWriter]

When spammers praise your story and invite you to their discord, what exactly do they do there when you go on discord?

I have found only one scammer when I posted my novel on SH but there were a ton of them When I posted it on Webnovel.

All said the same thing.
That they got captivated by my story and gave a discord link, they wanted to discuss writing tips and platform tips.
I deleted those comments because their scams were too obvious. Like; how can anyone get captivated by a story in just one or two chapters?

But still, I got kinda curious. What do they do once you visit that discord link? How exactly do they scam you?

(I wanna know....?)

Just join one and find out. It will be something like this, probably:

They mostly try to convince you that you are missing out on so much because you lack an original cover and custom art.
Those things would make your story so much more popular, and it's disappointing that you haven't done it. Also, they themselves, by pure chance, offer those services, and as huge fans of your work, they'd love to give you a great deal and repay you for your great story, blabla.

 

[tiaf]

Also, they themselves, by pure chance, offer those services, and as huge fans of your work, they'd love to give you a great deal and repay you for your great story, blabla.