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Trolling a Windows support scammer

arstechnica.com

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Re: Trolling a Windows support scammer

#2
2 hours? Amateur!

A combination of VirtualBox, Twilio, a VPN and an old i5 laptop allows for far longer scammer frustration.

Simply give them remote access (after hiding the VirtualBox tools) then turn down the core count, memory allocation and cap execution to 10%.

Have the VM connected to the VPN at the Host end to give it Internet access without exposing your own network.

Randomly disconnect the VPN for extra hilarity.

Re: Trolling a Windows support scammer

#3
Trolling tech support scammers is a popular past-time on Reddit, particularly for users of Lenny, a robot that simulates a confused old man who meanders and segues into non-sequitur stories.

https://www.reddit.com/r/itslenny/

This one is easily one of my favorites: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CsEuJNSnh8

Re: Trolling a Windows support scammer

#5
post #2

2 hours? Amateur! A combination of VirtualBox, Twilio, a VPN and an old i5 laptop allows for far longer scammer frustration. Simply give them remote access (after hiding the VirtualBox tools) then turn down the core count, memory allocation and cap execution to 10%. Have the VM connected to the VPN at the Host end to give it Internet access without exposing your own network. Randomly disconnect the VPN for extra hila…

Yep, if I've nothing to do I just keep them talking. In my experience they almost never give up. I think they're told to keep talking until you hang up.

I've had them talking for about 30mins after I've called them out on the scam and just bluntly asked how it worked.

Re: Trolling a Windows support scammer

#6
post #5
post #2

2 hours? Amateur! A combination of VirtualBox, Twilio, a VPN and an old i5 laptop allows for far longer scammer frustration. Simply give them remote access (after hiding the VirtualBox tools) then turn down the core count, memory allocation and cap execution to 10%. Have the VM connected to the VPN at the Host end to give it Internet access without exposing your own network. Randomly disconnect the VPN for extra hila…

Yep, if I've nothing to do I just keep them talking. In my experience they almost never give up. I think they're told to keep talking until you hang up. I've had them talking for about 30mins after I've called them out on the scam and just bluntly asked how it worked.

Did they tell you anything?

After I get tired, I usually start making snide remarks to get under their skin. They get so angry when you make remarks about their mother.

I can't believe she raised a low-life scammer. She must have been a terrible mother.

Seriously. Don't insult the scammer. They'll just hang up. Go for family, and all of sudden, this sense of honor spews forth to defend. The exasperated sighs from helping your willfully obtuse methods stop, and the angry shouting begins.

Schoolyard insults with a scammer is a good time-waster.

Re: Trolling a Windows support scammer

#7

Trolling tech support scammers is a popular past-time on Reddit, particularly for users of Lenny, a robot that simulates a confused old man who meanders and segues into non-sequitur stories. https://www.reddit.com/r/itslenny/ This one is easily one of my favorites: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CsEuJNSnh8

My favorite is the one where apparently a car crashes into the call center(!?) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lL870ixdsY

Re: Trolling a Windows support scammer

#8
post #2

2 hours? Amateur! A combination of VirtualBox, Twilio, a VPN and an old i5 laptop allows for far longer scammer frustration. Simply give them remote access (after hiding the VirtualBox tools) then turn down the core count, memory allocation and cap execution to 10%. Have the VM connected to the VPN at the Host end to give it Internet access without exposing your own network. Randomly disconnect the VPN for extra hila…

How and what for would you use the Twilio part of your setup?

Re: Trolling a Windows support scammer

#9

Trolling tech support scammers is a popular past-time on Reddit, particularly for users of Lenny, a robot that simulates a confused old man who meanders and segues into non-sequitur stories. https://www.reddit.com/r/itslenny/ This one is easily one of my favorites: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CsEuJNSnh8

I lost it at the ducks.

So it's autonomous or is it more like a soundboard?

Re: Trolling a Windows support scammer

#10
post #9

Trolling tech support scammers is a popular past-time on Reddit, particularly for users of Lenny, a robot that simulates a confused old man who meanders and segues into non-sequitur stories. https://www.reddit.com/r/itslenny/ This one is easily one of my favorites: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CsEuJNSnh8

I lost it at the ducks. So it's autonomous or is it more like a soundboard?

It's an asterisk (VoIP server) script that rotates through a handful of sound files. It starts playing a new one as soon as the other end of the call is silent for a set amount of time.

Anyone who gets a spam call can just forward it to 1-347-514-7296 or sip:13475147296@in.callcentric.com (see the reddit link above for more info)

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