(function(i,m,p,a,c,t){c.ire_o=p;c[p]=c[p]||function(){(c[p].a=c[p].a||[]).push(arguments)};t=a.createElement(m);var z=a.getElementsByTagName(m)[0];t.async=1;t.src=i;z.parentNode.insertBefore(t,z)})('https://utt.impactcdn.com/P-A3635466-f556-4c54-83d0-b674789a87881.js','script','impactStat',document,window);impactStat('transformLinks');impactStat('trackImpression'); google-site-verification=PGyGSKHgZazbuBqDLGWGtaoMVGselXzPs5VT-boZN2M google-site-verification=c5jmbe3Z58CqGDU8xGRhtEEbLr7QlySbG_IoVolrBbg This is a Brave Creators publisher verification file. Domain: thestevenwickblog.com Token: 0ace886aa2a016ff48af7f6dc6dd4be9142d4ed31973cd108bc7c6f746a51640 # SOVRN lijit.com, 400418, DIRECT, fafdf38b16bf6b2b #SOVRN lijit.com, 400418-eb, DIRECT, fafdf38b16bf6b2b #SOVRN openx.com, 538959099, RESELLER, 6a698e2ec38604c6 pubmatic.com, 137711, RESELLER, 5d62403b186f2ace pubmatic.com, 156212, RESELLER, 5d62403b186f2ace rubiconproject.com, 17960, RESELLER, 0bfd66d529a55807 appnexus.com, 1019, RESELLER, f5ab79cb980f11d1 video.unrulymedia.com, 12444764291, RESELLER contextweb.com, 558511, RESELLER google-site-verification: google6216a4a2a6fb69f0.html ... ...
top of page
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • TikTok
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • TikTok
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • YouTube
  • TikTok
Writer's pictureStephen Wick

Lockdown Stories: How To Trick Scammers

Updated: Dec 1, 2023

To protect the family, all names and addresses have been altered. We occasionally make minor modifications before we upload because we get emails from followers all over the world. If you want to share your individual experiences with us, please send your email to sharemystory@thestevenwickblog.com.



One day, while scrolling through my Instagram stories, a guy wrote to me. Opening my inbox, I read his long-winded letter: it was an attempt to solicit investors for a record label. Scrolling over the messenger's bio, I sensed a con artist, right down to the 'big baller', 'show stopper' photos. So, running an image search using the photos on his profile, I was right, the photos were stolen.


A couple more messages arrived in my dms and they were attempts by the messenger to begin a dialogue, so, I joined in and played into his skim. We moved to Watsapp, where he gave a long sob tale about being a widower struggling to make ends meet while raising a medically handicapped son 'all the way in Thailand'. We hit it off immediately and started talking. After a few days of speaking, he asked for a gift card.

Sent him a photo of a bogus £700 gift card. When it didn't work, he asked for a replacement. I left giving the impression I was going to do something. He contacted me a bit later, and I informed him it wasn't possible to obtain a replacement, the request was denied by a store personnel.


He requested £5,200 to invest in his music label, confidently describing the success it had enjoyed in producing hit songs and signing talented artists. Although I acted skeptically towards his proposal, he persisted in providing evidence through images of himself with popular Asian musicians and various contracts and schedules. Eventually, I gave in after weeks of convincing and agreed to send the money to his friend in Thailand. To further deceive him, I created a bundle of fake notes and thin cardboard stakes, taking a picture of it to send to him before pretending to send it through Fedex.

After a while, he sought a receipt. I lied telling him I didn't ask for one, further explaining it wasn't necessary since it was overnight service. He left a long voice note, coming off upset and frustrated, demanding I get back the money envelope, so I feigned doing so.


On the same day, he instructed this time to send it using FedEx. This time, I packed crushed Kellogg's corn cereal (my favorite) in to rectangular small gift boxes(roughly the size of cash bundles): along with the fake cash bundles. Placed in to a padded envelop (so it would weigh a few ounces more and he'd think I sent cash because the receipt indicates the weight of the envelope) and mailed it through the post office rather than Fedex.


You see, I mailed it using the post office to a different address, a government building, same zip code, as the address he gave me so that it would appear to be delivered. (The post office tracking will say delivered to the right zip code but won’t specify the address.) Apologies to the perplexed stranger who received an envelope with crushed Kellogg's corn flakes and paper bundles.

He thanked me for sending the money and providing a tracking number along with photos, but days after panicked when he realized it was shipped via the post office. I guess his plan was for a buddy to steal the envelope off the delivery van or probably doorstep upon its arrival?


However, because the address he supplied me was an apartment, the post office, which I utilized and gave the wrong address to, would deposit the mail in a secured box. And his friend cannot get access to the mailbox.


After much debate, he begged I return to the post office and request that it be sent to the correct address. After laughing to my hearts content (i.e., an inaudible laugh, didn't want to give it away), reaching out, I told said I'll give it a chance. A day later, more lies, telling him I contacted the office and they would forward the package to the correct address. A day later, It was still delivered to the government building, and he was unable to retrieve the envelop.

He was enraged and fighting to keep his cool (lol). Feigning compassionate, I apologized as much as I could, and gassed on, telling him I was expecting a significant amount of money from a lawsuit, he should pray for me to win (lol). He created a group chat with his so called brothers, to help increase the pressure.


All of this occurred during the lockdown, and I had a blast.

Note*letters displayed are independently chosen by Steve Wick's editorial team.

Feel free to share and leave a comment, we would love to hear from you. Your feedback is very important to us.


For more like this, music, literature, news, fashion, savvy political commentary, and fascinating features, sign up for the Steven Wick News Letter.


We here at the Steven Wick Blog are so proud of our work, we’d like to thank you for being a part of our community. However, our mission to share so much from music, literature, lifestyle to fashion is a 24/7 undertaking! We need your help to continue our work. Your financial donation will help us not only keep the lights on, but enable us run many more stories in the future to come. DONATE HERE



Recent Posts

See All

Comments


Join the Club

Join our email list and get access to specials deals exclusive to our subscribers.

Thanks for submitting!

bottom of page