To Interview a Scammer

Motivations

I’ve always been keen to get inside the mind of criminals. I’m curious as to how they are able to do what they do and how well it works for them. Recently I’ve been spending a good deal of time on the /r/Scams subreddit. Digging around in there has given me leads on some shady stuff and potential scammers.

First Step

This has piqued my interest and I’m tempted to reach out to a couple of people that seem involved in one way or another. Before I shoot off a message, I’d like to be prepared. I’ve been trying to come up with some way to try to talk to them to learn more about them, what they do, and how it all works.

I’m starting off trying to get an idea of what I’d like to know. I’m going to try to keep this post updated as time goes on with more ideas. First, I’m starting by building up a list of questions I’d like to get answered. Then, in a later post, I’m going to see about putting together an introductory message I’ll send to see if they’re willing to talk.

Questions

• Where are you from?
• Is this your only source of income?
• Are you the boss?
  • Do you work alone?
• How does it work?
  • What is automated?
    • What tools do you use?
  • How many sites involved at once?
  • What’s the money like?
    • How much time do you spend on it?
    • What is the money funnel like?
• What are your feelings about what you do?
• How long have you been doing this?

Additional Information

I want to know whether they prefer to be kept anonymous, if they mind me sharing any actual sites they manage, and other details. Obviously, if they prefer I’ll keep everything as anonymous as possible. Above all, I don’t want to actually call anyone out, I’m just interested in how it all works.

Suggestions

If you have any ideas for other questions you’d like me to ask please leave me a comment. I’m always open to suggestions.