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Bitcoin Revisited
A previous post – ‘Online Investment Scams’ – described my investigation of crypto currency – specifically – Bitcoin scams – by signing up as an investor for £250.
The purpose was to get first-hand experience of the process, consequences and cost – in order to perhaps inform or deter others thinking it was a good idea.
Any profit would be an incidental benefit.
The earlier post, highlighted the fact that, of the fifty plus sites offering crypto currency ‘investment opportunities’ the majority were just scams – investors lost all their investment-and the web sites were operated by a criminal network, mostly across call centres in Eastern Europe, where regulatory controls were non-existent or ignored.
I didn’t lose any money – but only because a bank transfer didn’t actually transfer (I have been unable to ascertain why and am now reluctant to pursue it with my bank (leave sleeping dogs lie).
So, the fact is, that my investigative journalism, on your behalf, cost me nothing, except time.
however, that time was not just the signing up process but predominately their direct follow up calls, both mobile and landline and emails which amounted to harassment.
I signed up about two years ago – in the early stages I was receiving four or five calls per day – some quite aggressive – all saying invest more money and you will start making profits. from different people and different mobile numbers (unless with-held) and not possible to block.
All similar in that they were clearly not native English speakers and – the big clue – they would call me ‘James’ – and nobody who knows me calls me that – I have been a Jim since a left home over fifty years ago.
I eventually just hung up and they did slowly relent, and I assume give up.
But, in the last few weeks, and the origins of this update – I have had a couple of calls each week and just hung up – I had learnt that when one call centre gave up on a call list – they sold it for a small fee to another centre – and, also, what appears to be a change in tactics with an unsolicited email I received on the 11th May as follows – N.B. any hyper-links have been disabled.
Hi James,
Congratulations on being potentially part of our team!
After careful deliberation, we’ve decided that you qualify to join our exclusive group of top performers and potentially become a millionaire in 2023.
To start potentially generating automated commissions off this unique link, please verify your email and your interest by clicking the link below:
VERIFY HERE immediately
Once you have verified, you’ll be an activated and verified team member, and you’ll have accepted your ticket to becoming a millionaire.
This is an incredible opportunity, so don’t wait and CLICK HERE to accept your ticket today!
All the best,
Daniel Russo
Not even a decent scam e-mail – so obviously nonsense!
It did make me think that – the Eastern European criminal mentality – doesn’t have any real understanding of the Western European sophistication in using online services.
But it still works with elderly un-sophisticated victims.
An aside; Few years ago – watching breakfast TV – one elderly man on the sofa – presenter (no way I would recall who – let’s say Nina) says –
‘So, Tom, you got an email saying that you had won the Canadian Lottery?’
Tom. ‘Yes, I did – and it said that if I sent £2,000, they would open an account to claim the $25,000 winnings and transfer it to me’
Nina. ‘So, you sent the £2,000 and did you get your winnings?’
Tom. No, I didn’t – in fact not another word.’
Nina. ‘Actually, tom. You had never bought a Canadian lottery ticket, had you?’
Tom. No – I hadn’t.
Lambs to the slaughter.
Back to the email – I obviously didn’t ‘Click Here’.
That would bring us up to date – except …. about half an hour ago – whilst writing this – I got a land-line call which sounded like the others – did my usual – ‘you’re wating your time’ and hung up. Another call on the central extension, of three, which is now recording a message.
Came to a gap and curious what it said – shouldn’t have bothered – it was allegedly serious research regarding a company owing compensation to customers and they could get it for me.
It was a bit entertaining – and I guess he had, had a long day – but he raved on with some bad language – the gist of which was – ‘I am helping you and you hang up on me. You *****!’
Conclusion
I do have some sympathy with people who can only obtain this sort of work and get some sort of income, in call centres or other difficult/illegal/immoral positions.
I am overtly polite with any cold- caller who seems to be doing a job or looking for work – even double glazing or patio cleaning – even Jehovah’s Witnesses – though I never accept their literature – suggesting that they keep it for others more receptive.
I think that, in the current economic climate – anybody trying to make a living legally should be at least be respected and – selectively – supported.
My personal justification with a lack of politeness with the aggressive call centre calls is the thought that many go home after a day’s work and have a laugh about the number of people they have taken advantage of and how stupid those people are.
Makes me feel better anyway.