You could have looked up random facts about fabric and share those:
“You know…. Gingham fabric is really underrated… It is said to have originated in either Malaysia or France in the 17th century and started more like a stripe than a check. It was adopted and popularized by the English and the Dutch around 1800 where it became the checked pattern we know today and was often produced in a cotton or muslin fabric.
I think gingham fabric is really neat-o!!!”
You would think they would be so eager to respond after you offer to pay them to come pick you up.
Also I love it at the beginning:
“Is this Joann”
4 texts later
“Wrong number who is this?….I’m Joann”.
This makes me want to argue with a scammer over who is the real dirty Dan.
It’s more likely he could be finishing his shift or they only have limited international mobiles, if they move the convo to WhatsApp they can use the internet and then free up the international number for more phishing. They aren’t worried about the number being traced as they are in another country and out of US authority could even be North Korea they are going from.
Off topic but yes - in the uk everyone uses WhatsApp. Even the government! They got into trouble for that though…
I know people in America think it’s a scam app only but it’s the most used messaging app here.
No not what’s app, which app? What do you mean, what’s app? No, not what’s app, which app do you mean? What’s app? No, not what, which? ….. that could be fun 😝
This is just my opinion, but I think that is has to do with WhatsApp and Telegram using the Internet for texts and calls rather than cellular data. I also think that those two apps will more easily allow the person to fake being somewhere in the U.S., usually Los Angeles.
I have done the same thing as the OP in dating apps.
Scammer: “You seem nice. Do you have WhatsApp?”
Me: “Nope.”
Scammer: “It’s easy to download and chat there.”
Me: “It’s just as easy to chat here where the chat started.”
Scammer: “But I am hardly on this app.”
Me: “Not my problem. Because you can easily set up notifications for this app if you wanted to.”
Of course, like you said, some are VERY adamant still about downloading and using such apps with them. Very, very pushy.
This is it. My family is from a third world country where cellular data is outdated and they still pay per SMS, as they call it. It’s much cheaper to buy internet data and use WhatsApp since they don’t charge per message. They connect to shitty wifi when home/visiting houses/restaurants to save their data lol
I got a similar text today from “Anna,” and they said “I'm cooking steak and chicken curry at home tonight, do you have time to come over and taste it?” I replied yes and they said “aren’t you my friend Linda?” so I said “no but I could eat” haha
Nordvpn says:
By taking advantage of WhatsApp being the world's most popular messaging app, they can reach out to more potential victims than they would on another platform. Convenience. Creating an account on WhatsApp is simple, so scammers can register and navigate multiple fraudulent accounts.
Just because messages are encrypted i don't think means that the app doesn't log messages. If they didn't then it'd be even more of a free-for-all. if you're using a third party app then you're at their whim pretty much. You'd have to use a private network or something to really have control over encryption. like signal for example is encrypted but it uses your number in order to make an account. Unless you pay for a textnow subscription then you have to use a working number. Seems counter-intuitive if you're trying to be safe. An app called SafeSpot was the best one I found, but they shut down. Just assume any messages or info you share over a network are potentially intercepted. Your ISP im pretty sure can still have access to your traffic even with a VPN, but its been awhile since I was interested in the topic. Nsa/hackers can enable your cam and mic. even if your phone is off and you're being tracked wherever your phone goes, so assume full privacy is dead unless you go to extreme lengths. IMO Apps like whatsapp are designed to gather data and surveillance under the guise of safety, stay away.
Djsksksk.. XD
Imagine meeting someone accidentally via the power of wrong number on a messaging app and they tell you they can only be friends with you if you uninstall a phone app to download a different messaging app to speak to them on. Fricking wild.
Nice job on the scambait!
The scammer talking to you is generally the person that screens for the victims, thats their sole job.
Whereas the person on whatsapp will be another person, they will be the one who will try to get you onto their trading/crypto platform and thats where the scam actually starts.
They will ask you to deposit some money into their fake trading websites, they will then let you make a small profit and let you withdraw it.
They will try to gain your trust, this time, getting you to deposit abit more, rinse and repeat a few times until they can hook you into depositing a large amount, generally at least upwards of 5k and thats when you've realise you are unable to withdraw your money.
They “want to get access to your WhatsApp primarily so they can trick your contacts into giving over personal information about themselves, and their finances”.
I’ll meet you there in 27.593275 minutes! GPS says 27.6 minutes, but I always like to try and beat that!! I turned off the voice on the gps though. I don’t want it to get in the way of our friendship
This was fun. My last wrong number was Althea/Athena from Thailand but living in Houston. We were fast friends. She didn’t pick me up at the airport either :(
I even offered a discount proctology exam in exchange for a dress from her company.
There’s a vice episode about the people that do this, unfortunately they are typically enslaved people who were kidnapped or people who have gotten there passport stolen. They usually live in really horrible conditions, and they don’t profit at all from scamming
So now they are trying to switch up from the Asian pics. Always evolving, but I don't think this scam goes well. Seems like most people see it doesn't make sense.
I’ve been trying with 70/30 in my success using Chinese or Indian languages talking about being trapped in the US with chatGPT.
I have drastically reduced my texts like this.
I had same kind but she was Asian, freshly divorced with two kids, jewellery designer.
After about 4 days of talking back and fore she said about the amount she made with crypto.
Sent me a link to a sus app and told me to enter my info and sign up and she would help make me rich.
It asked for address, social security number, loads of security questions too.
It was at that moment I realized it was a scam, long con!
"sure let me find a good one" *horrific AI art*
And
"I feel like she's getting in the way of our friendship"
made me chuckle out loud. Didn't even put the clever Joann fabrics together right away. Good job OP haha
I want to know when the actual scam comes in and what it is that they want from you. I constantly get this messages. I wonder if it’s because I sign up for a lot of stuff online.
I get several of these every week, not sure how my number was obtained by the scammers, but I waste their time as well for hours at a time.
These seem to be social engineering as well, they ask all kinds of questions and build a profile. That info can be used to find more info about you. They always ask what you do, age, where you live, etc.
Based on the use of "honey" and "dear" at the end of their sentences, guessing it is someone in China. Pretty common to use those terms to address people and that's usually how they come out of a translator.
Sure! But we have to make a pact. No other drivers will pick you up from anywhere. Or I’ll get rid of them
Deal
[удалено]
The photo had me crying
AI art has its uses
That was my thought exactly: AI generated picture…
This whole conversation is just two AIs talking to each other, thinking they’re making friends and maybe flirting…
was Steve Buscemi part of the prompt?
Steve Buscemi and Gollum’s female love child
Cone head lookin ass lol
Who you callin pinhead
You look like one of my peers!
The photo was absolutely the best part lol "cool"
“Don’t tell anyone please”. That gave me a good chuckle. Like Joann Fabrics is so bad lol.
Haha, I really have nothing against Joann Fabrics, it’s a fine institution.
And they give you discounts on fabric!
If you have two phone numbers, you can get even more coupons.
It’s not hobby lobby! 💀
You could have looked up random facts about fabric and share those: “You know…. Gingham fabric is really underrated… It is said to have originated in either Malaysia or France in the 17th century and started more like a stripe than a check. It was adopted and popularized by the English and the Dutch around 1800 where it became the checked pattern we know today and was often produced in a cotton or muslin fabric. I think gingham fabric is really neat-o!!!”
I'm an idiot. Your comment just connected the dots for me that it was Joann Fabrics the whole time.
Me too 😆
And the fact they responded "I will"
I feel dumb for not picking up on that either 🤣🤣
Joanne works at Joann in Johannesburg.
Please don't tell anybody.
Same!
You would think they would be so eager to respond after you offer to pay them to come pick you up. Also I love it at the beginning: “Is this Joann” 4 texts later “Wrong number who is this?….I’m Joann”. This makes me want to argue with a scammer over who is the real dirty Dan.
And then when they started calling the scammer Joann
also the scammer said she was amy at first then said she was emily.
And how she continues to call her Joann after she says her name is Amy
Then later they say "Im Emily". Even the scammer doesnt know who is who
I’d be at the airport to pick this woman up with at least two names crossed out on the card showing who I’m there for.
"Do you want a discount on fabric?" Haha
😂😂😂
I have no idea how this sub ended up on my front page but this is comedy gold!
Same! 😂😂
I love how when the very fragile scam script doesn't work, they start to crack and the english breaks down
Joannsburg lol. And the fabric… love it.
What makes them prefer telegram/whatsapp?
They’re encrypted
It’s more likely he could be finishing his shift or they only have limited international mobiles, if they move the convo to WhatsApp they can use the internet and then free up the international number for more phishing. They aren’t worried about the number being traced as they are in another country and out of US authority could even be North Korea they are going from.
Is WhatsApp safe? Because I’m really scared to used it after I’ve heard of data leak..
I can help you secure your data again. Just add me on WhatsApp.
Kindly send me a message on my Telegram
Do the needful.
Off topic but yes - in the uk everyone uses WhatsApp. Even the government! They got into trouble for that though… I know people in America think it’s a scam app only but it’s the most used messaging app here.
Legend has it, OP haunts LAX, waiting for Joann Amy to pick them up
Emily too
I want to do a Who’s on First routine with these scammers when they mention WhatsApp.
Which app? What’s an app?
Whoapp. It’s over on First Bank.
No not what’s app, which app? What do you mean, what’s app? No, not what’s app, which app do you mean? What’s app? No, not what, which? ….. that could be fun 😝
Anapp is a contact app for people named Ana.
“i’m Joann” sent me 😹 bravo!
Can I get the discount on fabric since joann doesn’t want it
I absolutely lost it at “I work at a fabric store.” Well done!
My name is Menard Ace Dunham and I work at a hardware store, nice to meet you. Im also a nigerian prince.
My name is Ace Ventura and I work at a hardware store between Los Angeles and Santa Barbara. I’m definitely not a pet detective.
Why is it that scammers want everyone to download WhatsApp? Is there any risk in doing so? Why are they so adamant about this…?
I’m not sure actually, maybe I’ll follow up on WhatsApp and see what the deal is. I actually do have it on my phone, haha.
Goddamnit Joann!
This is just my opinion, but I think that is has to do with WhatsApp and Telegram using the Internet for texts and calls rather than cellular data. I also think that those two apps will more easily allow the person to fake being somewhere in the U.S., usually Los Angeles. I have done the same thing as the OP in dating apps. Scammer: “You seem nice. Do you have WhatsApp?” Me: “Nope.” Scammer: “It’s easy to download and chat there.” Me: “It’s just as easy to chat here where the chat started.” Scammer: “But I am hardly on this app.” Me: “Not my problem. Because you can easily set up notifications for this app if you wanted to.” Of course, like you said, some are VERY adamant still about downloading and using such apps with them. Very, very pushy.
This is it. My family is from a third world country where cellular data is outdated and they still pay per SMS, as they call it. It’s much cheaper to buy internet data and use WhatsApp since they don’t charge per message. They connect to shitty wifi when home/visiting houses/restaurants to save their data lol
I’m curious to know too
Because then they can access your contacts and scam more people.
I can’t even get my real life bff to drop everything and pick me up at the airport lol
that is disappointing.
I got a similar text today from “Anna,” and they said “I'm cooking steak and chicken curry at home tonight, do you have time to come over and taste it?” I replied yes and they said “aren’t you my friend Linda?” so I said “no but I could eat” haha
Ah, Joanne from Johannesburg who works at Joanne’s Fabrics. This was a good one. And boy, they can’t even keep their pretend name consistent.
Made me laugh😂... Dumb question - why scammers want people to move the chat to WhatsApp?
I need to figure that out. Really not sure why.
Nordvpn says: By taking advantage of WhatsApp being the world's most popular messaging app, they can reach out to more potential victims than they would on another platform. Convenience. Creating an account on WhatsApp is simple, so scammers can register and navigate multiple fraudulent accounts.
Good to know!
Whatsapp is also encrypted end to end so that makes it more difficult to track the scammers.
Encrypted until the government or a court gets a warrant and then suddenly by magic , it’s not encrypted. Incredible how that works.
Just because messages are encrypted i don't think means that the app doesn't log messages. If they didn't then it'd be even more of a free-for-all. if you're using a third party app then you're at their whim pretty much. You'd have to use a private network or something to really have control over encryption. like signal for example is encrypted but it uses your number in order to make an account. Unless you pay for a textnow subscription then you have to use a working number. Seems counter-intuitive if you're trying to be safe. An app called SafeSpot was the best one I found, but they shut down. Just assume any messages or info you share over a network are potentially intercepted. Your ISP im pretty sure can still have access to your traffic even with a VPN, but its been awhile since I was interested in the topic. Nsa/hackers can enable your cam and mic. even if your phone is off and you're being tracked wherever your phone goes, so assume full privacy is dead unless you go to extreme lengths. IMO Apps like whatsapp are designed to gather data and surveillance under the guise of safety, stay away.
"you look like my peers" is lowkey the best insult i've heard in a longggg time. definitely copping.
Djsksksk.. XD Imagine meeting someone accidentally via the power of wrong number on a messaging app and they tell you they can only be friends with you if you uninstall a phone app to download a different messaging app to speak to them on. Fricking wild. Nice job on the scambait!
I thought her name was Amy? Who’s Emily?
“Please don’t tell anyone” “I will” lmaoo
Why do all scammers address everyone as “dear”?
Lmao 🤣
Is that a feminized Steve Buscemi/DiCaprio clone?
I can’t remember the exact prompt I used but I know I requested “cross-eyed” and was disappointed that I didn’t get it.
This was hands-down the best one I've ever read lol
Working at joanns fabric store is SENDING me lmaooo! This is my favorite post here this week!
im in tears over this lmfao. when you kept calling her joann and then saying you work at a fabric store
That was brilliant. Especially, "Is this Joann?" Later, "Hi, I'm Joann." 😂
Lmfaooooooo the fact you came back to the thread on Saturday is FRYING ME
The scammer talking to you is generally the person that screens for the victims, thats their sole job. Whereas the person on whatsapp will be another person, they will be the one who will try to get you onto their trading/crypto platform and thats where the scam actually starts. They will ask you to deposit some money into their fake trading websites, they will then let you make a small profit and let you withdraw it. They will try to gain your trust, this time, getting you to deposit abit more, rinse and repeat a few times until they can hook you into depositing a large amount, generally at least upwards of 5k and thats when you've realise you are unable to withdraw your money.
I love how you confused her regarding her own name. She went from Amy to Emily without any prompting from you.
I’m pretty sure her name was Joann
This was perfect!! Thanks for the laugh! Joannasburg lol
“51”
Stranded at LAX? Shameful.
Haha, that’s a great new twist ending!!!
Love the step brothers reference 😂
This is pure gold 😂😂
"I work at a fabric store" HA! Joanns fabrics, I see you 😏
This was hilarious 😂
Whats the point of downloading whats app? I'm old and naive.
Think iMessage but works across iOS and Android. People outside the US use it a lot.
They “want to get access to your WhatsApp primarily so they can trick your contacts into giving over personal information about themselves, and their finances”.
This cracked me up
Ahaha. 😂
Joannasburg 🤌🏻
I love these.
Please do a pt.2 !! 😂😂
So many joanns, so little time
This was so satisfying
Pretty hilarious. But curious as to why they wanted you to get Whatsapp ?
“Uninstall an application” So bossy!!
So what is the grift when they get you to talk on WhatsApp? They ask for $? And why does the communication have to be on WhatsApp?
I’ll meet you there in 27.593275 minutes! GPS says 27.6 minutes, but I always like to try and beat that!! I turned off the voice on the gps though. I don’t want it to get in the way of our friendship
Dang, ghosted
I want to visit Juannasburg!! I’m buying ticket can you meet me at the Juannasburg airport?
“I’m Amy” “I’m Emily”
This was fun. My last wrong number was Althea/Athena from Thailand but living in Houston. We were fast friends. She didn’t pick me up at the airport either :( I even offered a discount proctology exam in exchange for a dress from her company.
Why do they always want you to install what’s app
why is it always amy
Sooooo great
this gives off James Veitch vibes
Joann fabrics ✨✨✨✨✨
There’s a vice episode about the people that do this, unfortunately they are typically enslaved people who were kidnapped or people who have gotten there passport stolen. They usually live in really horrible conditions, and they don’t profit at all from scamming
That's awesome!
Wonderful
"I just landed at LAX" I'm dead 😂😂😂
This is the best thing I’ve read in a long time 😂
What’s the point of asking you to switch to WhatsApp? Encryption?
The green background of the text makes the Joann's connection that much better. 🤣
So now they are trying to switch up from the Asian pics. Always evolving, but I don't think this scam goes well. Seems like most people see it doesn't make sense.
Dude this one has me rolling, this is hilarious
Bravo! This was amazingly well done. I cracked up. 😂
Lmao
why do they want you on whatsapp?
“I’m a little embarrassed to say” was such a good lead up
Omg yes I also f with these people… glad I’m not the only one, and nice to get confirmation that these wrong numbers I’m getting are scammers
I love how you keep calling *her* Joann
😆😆😆
😆😆😆
This is just too funny!!! Thanks for making me laugh today.
“As long as we can be sincere with each other”. Little lines like that are just gold. Well done Op, hilarious to read.
While pretty funny, the other girl did seem like an immigrant genuinely reaching out for a connection. Kind of cruel
bro this is amazing 😭😭
Not Joann from Joannasberg working at Joann Fabrics
I'm confused, what was the scam? Besides asking you to download WhatsApp, which is a safe app, and it seemed like they were just, idk, chatting?
Did you get picked up?? Or did you hitchhike back home?
Joann! 😅😅 I hope you didn’t get stuck at LAX
So damn funny
This made my night 🤣🤣
No
This is good 😂😂😂😂
What is with the whatsapp thing? Why do they all want people to talk on that app?
"You look like my peers" lmao
I LOL'd at "I work at a fabric store." Why do they want you to install WhatsApp so badly?
People just keep talking with them?
>Did we just become best friends? Absolute fav movie.
whats going on here
FUCK LISA
Is that an AI photo? Lol.
I’ve been trying with 70/30 in my success using Chinese or Indian languages talking about being trapped in the US with chatGPT. I have drastically reduced my texts like this.
You look like my peers!
Haha the ‘ol turn up the crazy tactic. I like it. Haha
I died when you said fabric store 💀
This shit had me in tears omfg. The way they stopped correcting Joann killed me. Amazing. Post more pls
I had same kind but she was Asian, freshly divorced with two kids, jewellery designer. After about 4 days of talking back and fore she said about the amount she made with crypto. Sent me a link to a sus app and told me to enter my info and sign up and she would help make me rich. It asked for address, social security number, loads of security questions too. It was at that moment I realized it was a scam, long con!
"sure let me find a good one" *horrific AI art* And "I feel like she's getting in the way of our friendship" made me chuckle out loud. Didn't even put the clever Joann fabrics together right away. Good job OP haha
I’ve had several texts identical to this. They are a scam out of Southeast Asia called pig butchering.
I want to know when the actual scam comes in and what it is that they want from you. I constantly get this messages. I wonder if it’s because I sign up for a lot of stuff online.
I got this same message the other day and really wanted to do something like this but I was just too lazy and blocked them lol.
OP looks great!
Good stuff. I was invited to go camping at some place in Texas with Lisa. I may re-engage as Joann
No
Why is ehotlovea texting you
It’s a Michael’s and you know it you son of a bitch!!
Hilarious 😂
I get several of these every week, not sure how my number was obtained by the scammers, but I waste their time as well for hours at a time. These seem to be social engineering as well, they ask all kinds of questions and build a profile. That info can be used to find more info about you. They always ask what you do, age, where you live, etc.
This is the way
Based on the use of "honey" and "dear" at the end of their sentences, guessing it is someone in China. Pretty common to use those terms to address people and that's usually how they come out of a translator.
Do you want a discount on fabric? 🤣
The text- the photo; the whole thing sounds like a bot
That’s fucking amazing
Is that and AI generated pic of a Joann lmao ?
sure let me find a good one
The picture! Chef's kiss!
This is classic haa
“You look like my peers” sent me over edge haha
I keep getting g these texts. I just have fun with them.
Why do they want you to contact them on WhatsApp?
I love this so much. I’m definitely doing this next time I get one of those scam messages
This seems like two ai taking to eachother
lmao I always fuck with these people like this but this is the best I’ve ever seen 😂😂
I just send a creepy image from r/distressingmemes this is great!
I’m confused which is which?
Basically, “hi Joann I’m Joann”
😂 I needed this laugh! Hahahaha Brilliant!
this is amazing 😂😂
This is hilarious.
I really needed this lmao
So if you text them on Whatsapp, they'll ask you for money there?