How does this turn into a scam, or is it just plain phishing?

maybe someone just got the wrong number?

"I need to cancel my engagement ring order as my boyfriend just dumped me. But hey, you seem nice!"

Complete guess on my part. Could be an honest mistake as 5lab says I suppose, but it's a lot harder to do that when you're not manually dialling numbers all the time and does that sound like a legit thing someone would say?

Hi, I’m Sophia. You’re the jeweller from Hatton Garden, right?”

"How big a core drill would I need..."

You said you would take this (solid gold diamond encrusted Rolex) for sale but could only give me £500 now and the rest when you sell it. I trust you as you are from Hatton Garden so here are my details to send the £500.

maybe someone just got the wrong number?

I did wonder about that, but since there were no other words or anything in the message, it seemed a bit too isolated, like it was somehow scripted. As per Cougar, not a legit thing to say in isolation. Who knows.

*block*

I think it's a build up rapport tactic prior to scamming you.

So I just ignored it and blocked the number, but now of course I’m wondering how it’s meant to proceed from there.

That's it, you do not proceed anywhere from there.

I think it’s a build up rapport tactic prior to scamming you.

This.

It's called fishing (phishing) for a reason.

like it was somehow scripted.

It probably was.

I've just realised what's pinging with me. It feels like a leading question. Like, it's not "hi, is that Dave?" or "is this the jeweller, have I got the right number?" It's "you are the jeweller, right?" It invites you to respond to correct their claimed assumption.

Also, "I'm Sophia." You wouldn't say that (would you?) If you had a prior working relationship you'd say "it's Sophia" and if not then maybe "my name is..." It feels like an English-Not-As-A-First-Language construction.

I had something similar-ish.

WhatsApp from a random number. Attractive face on the profile. Young/female/posed. Asking if I was going to make it to the meeting.

Only 1 message, when surely an opener or more than one is needed. Block and move on.

Weirdly Sophia contacted me yesterday asking if I remembered meeting her in Blacklocks Soho (no idea btw)

I expect they hope you think 'phwooar let's see if I can get in there' or similar, and then the request for money start

Yup.

It is - literally - organised crime. It's rarely some random idiot trying it on any more, it'll be a call centre. Time was I'd have strung them along a bit for the LOLs, I'm really not sure that's such a wise idea any more.

jamiemcf

Full Member

I think it’s a build up rapport tactic prior to scamming you.

*Rapaport tactic

It’s rarely some random idiot trying it on any more, it’ll be a call centre.

it’s interesting to see what the source of funding for North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme is

it’s interesting to see what the source of funding for North Korea’s nuclear weapons programme is

Mainly crypto theft on an industrial scale...

I responded to one for shits and giggles, then forwarded 'her' number on to a mate who started messaging her saying I'd been kidnapped and if she wanted me alive she'd better pay up. She couldn't have cared for me that much as she stopped messaging.

I got a funny one on whatsapp the other day. From a recruitment firm that specializes in engineering. Goggled it and its a legitimate company but Im not an engineer, if anything Im a designer. Though my dad was a chartered engineer, so It could be him they were after. Though these days he's in ash form and not much good for project management.

Blocked to save any follow ups.