Replying to Spam Emails | The Human Glitch

// HYPOTHESIS_LOADED

We usually delete spam. But there is a human (or a bot) on the other end.
What happens if you say "Yes"?
The Experiment: Reply to the Nigerian Princes, the Inheritance Lawyers, and the SEO Experts. Engage them. Waste their time.

PHISHING_HOOKED

> SUBJECT: URGENT BUSINESS PROPOSAL ($5.5M USD)

From: Barrister John Warri (john.warri.law@gmail.com)

ME: Dear Barrister John, I am so relieved you emailed. I have been looking for a place to store my inherited gold bullion. Is your bank secure? JOHN: Yes beloved friend. It is 100% secure. I need your full name, address, and bank account number to transfer the funds to you first. ME: Only my bank account? I prefer to send cash via pigeon. Or cryptocurrency. I have 500 Bitcoin. Can we do that? JOHN: No pigeon. Bitcoin is good. Send to wallet address below. ME: I am trying, but my computer says I need the "Unlock Code" from you first. It is a security feature. Please send me $50 USD to unlock the transfer of $10 Million. JOHN: You are playing games? Do not play games with me.

I kept him going for 4 days. I sent him fake screenshots of error messages. I invented a character named "Grandma Gertie" who controls the passwords.
Result: He cursed at me in all caps and blocked me.

> SUBJECT: WEBSITE RANKING SEO SERVICE

From: "Lisa" (Generic SEO Firm)

ME: Hi Lisa! I would love to rank #1 on Google. My website sells "Invisible Hamster Cages." Can you crackdown on that niche? LISA: Yes sir/madam, we are experts in hamster cage SEO. We can get you first page results. ME: The problem is, because they are invisible, Google can't see them. Do you have "Invisible SEO" packages? LISA: Yes, we have premium invisible backlink package for $500.

They don't even read the emails. They just see "Money." It proved that most of these B2B spammers are just script-bots until the payment phase.

> THE DANGER

I did get 400% more spam after this week. By replying, I confirmed my email was active.
WARNING: Do not do this on your main email account. Use a burner.

> FINAL_VERDICT

Scammers are running a volume business. They are looking for the 0.01% of people who are vulnerable.
By wasting their time, I like to think I saved someone else from being scammed for those 15 minutes.

CONCLUSION: It's hilarious, but eventually sad. These are people in desperate situations running scripts to steal from grandmas. The glitch isn't the spam; it's the global economy that makes spamming a viable career.