How does scambaiting technique work?

Thousands people are victims of telephone, e-mail or Internet scams every day. However, the scambaiting technique is a countermeasure to return the pain to hackers. Scambaiting allows for the scammer to be scammed if done correctly. In this article we explore how does scambaiting work, the risks and benefits you may find and how to perform this most curious technique.

It’s not strange that you have already been a victim of a scammer. In the most recent years, for example, Spain has seen thousands of people scammed with calls referring to the new electricity company prices. This scam tries to make the user change the company without paying too much attention to the message itself.

Scambaiting technique to catch the scammer

When using scambaiting technique you make yourself look like a potential victim when interacting with the scammer. However, the objective is quite the opposite. You will try to make him lose time and collect information about his or her techniques and how to publicly expose it. The new scam method has become very popular as an entertainment option. You are doing scambaiting good when you make the scammer lose time with you. Think about it, a scammer trying to convince you is not pointing towards other potential victims.

Some professional scambaiters even go into the scammers’ system and they can access their security cameras. If done well, you can even extract information from the servers. It’s a very thin line between active defense and illegality.

Tools and techniques for the scambaiters

Those who work with scambaiting professionally tend to use a mix of the following tools to perform their mischief. The software solutions are made to try and trap those who steal.

• Virtual machines. It’s a great tool because your computer won’t be infected by malicious software.
• VPNs. A smart software solution to hide the IP Address and navigate the web annonimously.
• Voice modulator. They allow the user to change its voice during calls.
• False ID generators. A great set of tools to create False ID without the others realizing it.
• Recording software. It’s a great ally to document any conversation.

All these software solutions require job staff people for each action. It’s a full toolset that requires knowledge, patience and curiosity. Some scambaiters even create characters to simulate being elderly people, naïve or even other conners.

Ethical risks

Scambaiting may sound funny but there are several ethical and legal considerations. It has benefits and problematic issues but you need to detect which can be supported and which doesn’t.

• Avoid scam operations.
• Teaches the user different scammers techniques.
• Compile valuable information for authorities.

Risks

• If you don’t use proper digital tools you may end up receiving real cyberattacks.
• Some tactics may be illegal such as connecting to a third party device.
• The line between defense and harassment.

From a legal standpoint, the most recommendable course of action is not doing scambaiting ahead without knowing juridical restrictions. The ethical solution is to keep reinforcing prevention and education instead of revenge.

Scambaiting mixes wits, technology and poetic justice. It’s not a solution for every user but it may be a counterattack to hackers. You can train for a funnier way to fight against online fraud.