Exposing Scammers

Introduction

• Objective: Expose a group of scammers using their own webcams
• Scammers based in Abuja, Nigeria
• Types of scams: Fake celebrity impersonation, romance scams, fake IRS tax return scams

Scam Details

• Fake Celebrity Impersonation:

  • They impersonate well-known anti-scam individuals (e.g., Scammer Payback, Trilogy Media)
  • Tactics: Ask victims to contact them via Telegram, claim to help recover lost funds
  • Use of similar names, increase followers, and slight account changes to deceive victims

• Recovery scams:

  • Scam pitch: Claim to recover funds; ask for evidence
  • Ask for an activation code fee for fake recovery software
  • Varied cost: Roughly 10% of lost amount
  • Use Bitcoin ATMs or gift cards for payments

• Additional scams:

  • Romance scams: Scripts claiming military background, fake personal details
  • Fake IRS tax return scams: Thousands of dollars stolen

Investigation Process

• Social engineering to gather information
• Special mentions: Assistance from Nanoa and Dan
• Accessed scammer's computer systems, saw personal and incriminating files
• Discovered thousands of dollars in transactions (checks, gift cards, Bitcoin)

Findings

• Telegram chats with victims
• Device login details confirmed location (Abuja, Nigeria)
• Personal pictures confirming scammers
• Wealthy lifestyle funded by scams

Specific Scammers

• One scammer's romance scam script
  • Claimed military background, changed profile details frequently
  • Downloaded and edited IDs for identity fraud
• Observed their routine: Scamming, personal calls, lifestyle

Actions Taken

• Reported Facebook accounts, got them removed
• Submitted police reports with evidence to EFCC (Nigeria's cyber crime police)
• Expose scammers by confronting them on a call
  • Pretended to be a victim, revealed scammer's face on their screen
• Public exposure through YouTube channels (Trilogy Media, Scammer Payback)
• Used sponsorship (Aura) to highlight risks and protections against data breaches

Conclusion

• Repeated attempts to expose and confront scammers
• Documentation and reporting to authorities
• Continued collaboration with anti-scam channels to spread awareness and protect victims