Scam Bites: Origins. How My Scambaiting All Began

[@AtomicShrimp]

It's not entirely conventional for me to publish a video on a Thursday, but I figured in a very real sense, I've already kept you waiting 16 years for this...

[@shaded389]

K im gonna watch it

[@sillygoose2878]

Ok

[@xenototheface]

I've missed the scam baiting videos. I do love pretty much all of your content but I do enjoy the scam baiting more so. You actually introduced me to it

[@citroenboter]

Fuuuuuuuuck 2004 was 16 years ago, that's right. Damn.

[@eternalextrapolations]

@@shaded389 I hope Kim enjoyed it as much as I did!

[@MuchWhittering]

This scambait is so old that John Barosa was still at law school.

[@molybdomancer195]

but what that soul John Warosa

[@MuchWhittering]

@@molybdomancer195 There is no such soul.

[@QuickShot523]

Be rest assured, he flunked out

[@eternalextrapolations]

@@QuickShot523 but he said he went there on a full academic scholarship and graduated in the top half of his class

[@QuickShot523]

Eternal Extrapolations no, that was John WAROSA

[@auxityne]

Alternate title: Bait to the Future.

[@shaded389]

10/10 title

[@PD_CĪPHĒR]

rev warosa, you've got to come back with me!

[@scyobiempire4450]

I love and hate this comment

[@lock__load8196]

Yo did you draw your pfp?

[@barrymason9104]

Scams ? Where we're going we don't need scams

[@Misspol222]

Atomic Shrimp: "English is not my first language" Also Atomic Shrimp: uses phrases like "I am distraught beyond the point of physical pain"

[@theswissmiss69]

Just Google Translate.😂

[@aznicknac]

Also Shrimp: "my despicable and avaricious subordinate"

[@artistknownaslisa2850]

lol.. all of which is lost on the scammer.

[@ketugrahagraha3673]

@@theswissmiss69 Too good for Google translate

[@Dunkelwald_]

I am not sure why but sometimes people who learned English through school or otherwise tend to use some really extraordinary words or sentences. I read a fake convo one where it was like: "Native speaker: sorry for ma language lol" and "a non-native speaker: I wish to apologize for the amount of mistakes I could possibly make because English is not my native language" or something like this :D

[@gavinaustin1146]

I don't buy KZbinr merch, but I'd buy a "respond to aggression not with compliance but with righteous indignation" shirt.

[@gregoryanderson5053]

I second this

[@dalethedippa5822]

I third this

[@eggi4443]

I fourth this

[@napsap245]

I fifth this

[@riden1234567]

I sixth this

[@Coltonmatson]

"Let's went scam baiting again before already" Is it that you doesn't understand English?

[@Marenthyu]

Sir, It is with great pleasure that i inform you of having had been made day of mine. Sincerely, An Internet User

[@200wattstudio8]

Please I am not a boy. I am a adult man

[@Lance0]

@@200wattstudio8 I beg do not playing joke with me

[@erslippers3805]

@@Lance0 I will not beg.

[@somerandomashellperson7130]

@@erslippers3805 Yes It's* a Google lottery * I went back into the video to make sure I had it correct, forgot "It's"

[@ushi4212]

I absolutely love how your writing switches between completely broken and perfect english depending on when it's convenient to you.

[@drago3036]

I find it really funny, i would never believe this Dick Dastardly guy actually struggled with english XD

[@waynemontpetit8181]

Do I have a problem with English? I am English!

[@drago3036]

@@waynemontpetit8181 "is it that YOU don't understand english?" - T-shirt

[@waynemontpetit8181]

@@drago3036 😂😂

[@SantaFishes101]

sometimes that's how it happens, honestly! you'd be surprised at who speaks with ESL, and often it's just tiny hiccups that reveal them, through otherwise perfect grammar and stellar word-choice!

[@mattwhelan13]

got to love all those Zimbabwean 'political asylum seekers' in South Africa that have 'family drivers' this is pure gold

[@YitzharVered]

I mean, would've been more believable if they claimed to be Rhodesian refugees. Tho even then the timing makes zero sense. Only an utter idiot can believe these scams.

[@eternalextrapolations]

@@YitzharVered We're taking 2004, not 1980 though

[@themutagen]

What, you don't bring all your fathers employees and vehicles when you flee your country?

[@pdrg]

And $22M to invest in any country will get you welcomed pretty seamlessly...

[@bigboysdotcom745]

I can believe some guy being dumb enough to simp for his employers despite them being unable to pay him

[@np8139]

Calling WB Studios: "Hello, ma'am. May I speak to Dick Dastardly about his trip to South Africa?"

[@thefamouscommenter]

It’s horrifying to think of what would happen to someone who fell for this scam. Not only would they be robbed, they’d be outright kidnapped

[@zoewells3160]

Makes it even more of a good cause to tie up their time!

[@TankEngine75]

@@zoewells3160 ???

[@zoewells3160]

@@TankEngine75 Since, in “baiting” them, Shrimp isn’t only preventing them from scamming other people, but also perhaps from literally kidnapping other people.

[@TankEngine75]

@@zoewells3160 Yeah,that's why I like Shrimps Scambaiting content,I like his other content too but his Scambaiting Content is my favourite

[@XXX_xxxxxxxx]

Look! Its a magical Fuckunicorn!

[@Bigfluffydragongaming]

"Attn: Sir/Madam/Ceo." Ah yes, the three genders.

[@AtomicShrimp]

How dare you!? I identify as CEO

[@-Teague-]

@@AtomicShrimp LOL I don't know what I was expecting your reply to be but that wasn't it

[@thatitalianlameguy2235]

@@AtomicShrimp so you're a dom to all of your workers?

[@lt.ripley1590]

Hilarious

[@boneor...7022]

@@AtomicShrimp you've got the CEO mindset I see

[@saucyjack9416]

Trying to get the driver to hold up that sign was genius. This video made my day.

[@AtomicShrimp]

Yeah, real shame it didn't quite work out, although I sort of think he had no intention of trying to send anything

[@eternalextrapolations]

Long before fæcebôôk, there was a scambaiting forum called 419eaters where every good bait thread culminated in a picture of the scammer holding some ridiculous sign or putting something stupid on his head. Here you can see some of the best ones www.419eater.com/html/trophy_room.htm

[@staticstatic1269]

@@eternalextrapolations If I'm not wrong, wasn't their one instance where a group of baiters on 419 managed to convince a scammer to fly to South Sudan? Heard a bunch of stuff about that

[@eternalextrapolations]

@@staticstatic1269 I don't remember that one! Can you find a link to it?

[@staticstatic1269]

@@eternalextrapolations That's the thing, I've only heard little bits and pieces, no story but if someone finds the full thing I would read all of it lol

[@AdmiralEclipse]

Jesus, im worried about someone that would actually fall for this. I can't imagine the horrors they go through once they actually arrive in South Africa.

[@edward4828]

I had somebody want me to meet them in togo

[@themutagen]

@@edward4828 missed opportunity there. You could've been a millionaire by now :>

[@Eisenwulf666]

@@edward4828 i waited for you the whole day, to think i wanted to give you the fortune my father left me...

[@sueknoll8567]

They don't live very long once they get there.

[@rookieman329]

@@themutagen damn.

[@allisonfitzmaurice6948]

“So even 16 years ago it was risk free.” 2004 wasn’t 16 years ago...WAIT

[@scottmalkinson9545]

I don’t even remember 2004 at all and I’m 21 now

[@chewieman4956]

Union of Scottish Socialist Republics I dont either and I’m 16

[@Nathan-fp9ho]

Chewieman Same mate

[@JulianBo188]

@@scottmalkinson9545 I remember 2004, it looked like the 90s but we had internet

[@hajime_87]

@@JulianBo188 i was 17 then so i have good memory of the early 90s and yeah thats what 04 seemed like.

[@spacer7205]

i feel like making a dangerous criminal write "My Dearest Dick" in a heartfelt attempt to lure and kidnap a cartoon character is the funniest thing conceivable and i hope you never stop

[@clamdove3292]

where are you getting the "my dearest" part from? i thought the joke was that it was "orifice for dick", but with an extra space

[@rellsw02]

I died laughing when you explained that you wanted him to take a picture of himself holding a sign that said "waiting for Dick."

[@DreamingCatStudio]

And, even better, Orifice for Dick. 🤣

[@HexagonThatReallyLikesVinegar]

Euheie

[@CST1992]

Or... "Orifice Dick"

[@sstorm1971]

Same, and then I fell off my chair at "ori-fice!"

[@ifiwasyouiwouldntbe]

When i actually read "ori-fice for dick" I was in tears. I could only imagine a random black driver (kidnapper) holding up that sign.

[@africa_everyday]

You act like an idiot to scammers with the hope of saving (educating) some vulnerable people in the society from SCAMMERS. People like you are Superheroes without cape. Love you Mr Mike. 😍

[@shaded389]

Yeah ikr

[@JerryAsano]

How have you commented 3 days ago? How did you bribe Mr. Shrimp?

[@shaded389]

@@JerryAsano probably a friend that got the link to the video considering he's a top commenter on this channel

[@africa_everyday]

@@JerryAsano I'm his friend from Nigeria 🇳🇬.

[@africa_everyday]

@Dean M I'm not his patreon, in fact reverse is the case. I'm only his dear friend.

[@Sandwich1414]

It's no longer called death, it's an absence from earth. I've decided to take a leave of absence from living, I'll be stepping down from the role of being alive to pursue new deathly endeavours.

[@AtomicShrimp]

That sounds like the sort of euphemisms that directors use when they fire one of their number. 'he has decided to step down from his duties to pursue other activities' = we fired him. So I guess if we ever see 'he has decided to step down from presence on earth to pursue other, sub-surface ventures', we'll know it means 'we killed him and buried his body in the woods'

[@trindalas]

Personally I do it for tax reasons.

[@AtomicShrimp]

I must go. My people need me.

[@-Teague-]

@@trindalas HOTBLACK DESIATO?! Is that you?

[@trindalas]

Teague Ricks *wiggles a piece of silverware noncommittally*

[@Scrubworks]

"I had some hardness with my email box yesterday." You too huh? You wouldn't believe how many emails I've received promising me hardness.

[@sizenplace4554]

No

[@Abby_Liu]

funny laughed, must've been a big issue in 2004

[@khazermashkes2316]

Mine promise me bigness too

[@James-nl5pr]

Scammers have gotten lazier and sloppier over the years, sad, they make the trade look bad.

[@alexanderalbach468]

Yeah, agree. Seems to me too. Way back in time when you needed a little bit of knowledge to scam. Today. Nah, I just download the email of the "sales funnel" and shoot em out. I am a online marketer.. Hehe

[@vladchira521]

I was honestly impressed by how professional he was throughout. Barely any grammar errors, clear and concise. I can only imagine how dangerous he is

[@James-nl5pr]

Vlad Chira Me have million doll hairs to give out via western unuion. Give me de details of you re banking accounting number and I give you million doller For legal reasons this is a joke

[@waynemontpetit8181]

Scammer work ethic is at an all-time low. My faith in humanity is effectively dead.

[@James-nl5pr]

Wayne Montpetit What’s sad is that they probably get more bites than they did back then

[@markmedlinskas7356]

Wow it's crazy to see how scams have gotten dumbed down in the last few years. This guy actually has good grammar and methodical well-thought out responses compared to the ones featured usually. Wonder if that's because back in 2004 not many people had access compared to the internet so only the more literate people could/wanted to use one.

[@strawbtangerine6087]

Very likely

[@mattr2238]

If your going to criticize others' grammar, you should fix your own first.

[@franciosdeaeruiu7555]

Everything has fallen to the dumbing down of man, even the criminal endaevors... Especially the criminal endaevors

[@Neucher]

if they kidnap people they have to be better organized

[@RandomAllen]

@@mattr2238 *you're

[@moonmoon11111]

It is so terrifying that a scammer would ask someone to travel abroad? I hope no one has fallen for this

[@drago3036]

I mean, it's not like we haven't seen humans do things more stupid than that...

[@Byulicita]

@@drago3036 yeah we have an even stupider human in the white house 💀

[@98dizzard]

@@Byulicita has anyone tried emailing him to go to South Africa with some moneys to facilitate a transaction?

[@zealot246]

@@Byulicita Christ can we leave out the politics

[@calvinscarvings.66]

Daniel I I mean he probably would if he wasn't already rich.

[@BrainyFinance]

I used to have a white noise app to help me sleep, switched it for your scambating playlist a month ago when I discovered your channel. Thank you sir for your soothing voice

[@karenramnath9993]

Several of us are hoping for audiobooks...

[@winnie8614]

In contraverse, this videos are preventing me from sleep 😓

[@Hepad_]

I do the same with Isaac Arthur's videos

[@CeeSoph]

I do this too.

[@clusterbungle]

Did this by accident last night. I haven't been able to sleep over the last few days because a virus (not the corona variety) gave me a high fever and terrible muscle pain. Knowing I wouldn't get much sleep again last night, I set up my phone so I could watch it lying on my side just for some calming entertainment. Mike's soothing voice did indeed give me some much needed respite 😪💤👍🏻

[@caxe7]

This isn't video related, but I just wanted to express as a relatively decently long viewer that I really really enjoy your content. Most things on your channel besides your scam baiting and to an extent weird stuff in a can, is content I would never watch anywhere else. But for some reason I find myself very interested and engrossed in a lot of the seemingly random activities you partake in and share with us. I say seemingly random because I lack the thought to express exactly what I feel, as I don't think your forage walks or your videos where you have aquatic habitats in a jar are random at all. Most of your videos have a thorough line ive noticed that expresses the beauty in nature and some sort of harmony between modern-ish life and nature. I think how you seem genuinely earnest in your videos, at least you seem that way to me, more so than what I perceive the norm is, is what gives these videos an engagement with me as a viewer that most people that post content in vaguely similar genre don't provide me with. Along with that you have an ability to speak, and I don't necessarily mean like a politician or even the ability to "tell a story", I think I mean you have an ability to evoke interest and engagement about your passions. Usually if someone told me about a spoon they found on the side of the road I wouldnt be interested but I believe without effort you could make me think about going for a walk and finding my own spoon is sorta what I mean.

[@Sarah_Grant]

Awwwww. ❤❤❤

[@DeltaOfNothing]

This is extremely accurate. He’s clearly doing all these things because he just loves to do them, and he wants to share his passions with others. I wish there were more KZbinrs like this guy

[@Sam-mx6yh]

That is such a wonderful comment; it made me very happy ^^

[@krisdoesart9643]

"Are you having not understand?" Same energy as "Is it that you doesn't understand English?"

[@smelly6137]

same energy as “do you are have stupid”

[@SSJDomin]

I adore the idea that the scammer may have had the driver hold up a sign with 'Ori Fice For Dick'

[@erick4188]

I CANNOT STOP LMAOOO

[@EraidFreefire]

Pure Gold! Had me laughing for a good minute

[@generaldreagonlps6889]

It took me way to long to realize why you were interested in pigeons.

[@applehack97]

care to explain?

[@generaldreagonlps6889]

@@applehack97 Dick Dastardly and his crew always tried to catch a carrier pigeon.

[@applehack97]

I had forgotten about that, thanks mate!

[@Fanny-Fanny]

It only just clicked for me as soon as I read your original post. Now, I must go online to purchase a puffy, purplish (to the best of my recollection) somewhat peaked hat.

[@EggBastion]

for reference Dastardly and Muttley in Their Flying Machines (Intro) kzbin.info/www/bejne/foPWgZewntt3qK8

[@Gandalf_the_Black_]

"Let's have gone scambaiting"

[@AtomicShrimp]

Let's have done been went

[@tatertatertatertatertater]

@@AtomicShrimp I have watch this here video and can what be said? I seem you are not make of the good video content and that astound! I say you become more video make and I watch video better video make. Or too much for the challenge?

[@eternalextrapolations]

Has anyone really been far even as decided to use even go want to do look more like?

[@DavidRoberts01341]

I think that Dr Dan Streetmentioner's classic book might have helped here.

[@TheBoostedDoge]

English will have left leave the chat

[@dixienormus5868]

here we have an episode of the predecessor of the show's main protagonist Mange Tout

[@funkyphill4861]

When is the Wacky Racers reboot staring Mange Tout airing?

[@Lexilove2016]

The Prequel

[@syahminorizan8064]

Season 2 with Mange Tout and Monica Flange when

[@Smiuley]

This is really frightening, though. With the scammers nowadays, you just pay the sum (which is bad enough) but then hopefully are done (even though there are also these follow-up scams and so on), but just imagining flying to another country and maybe being kidnapped or worse. That's just straight out of a horror movie

[@zeus66061]

A refugee that has his own driver. He was roughing it! LOL!

[@trindalas]

I mean a getaway driver is still a driver :P

[@africa_everyday]

This is very entertaining and fun. 100% risk-free 😂😂😂

[@shaded389]

Mhm

[@satopika]

Agree, but hold up. This comment says 3 days ago

[@africa_everyday]

@@satopika yeah

[@satopika]

@@africa_everyday Ah guessing Atomic Shrimp gave you early access. On another sidenote, I am looking for to the debut of your channel!

[@africa_everyday]

@@satopika yes 👍 he did. A very lovable man 👨.

[@leonardochapman4736]

Nice! I just recently started scambaiting myself and am using some of your techniques to bait them. For example, a scammer wanting me to send money on western union, I pretended that they needed the account details so I can report them.

[@beavatatlan]

Did it work?

[@calvinscarvings.66]

Try using the fake words thing but insist they use the words so hopefully they go to another person and say that the fund isn't glarded or whatever word you use.

[@OriginalDonutposse]

Ok but you probably won’t get far by just scambaiting yourself. Unless… unless…. Oh, unless you are actually a scammer and a scam baiter who suffers from dissociative identity order, and you are actually working against your (unknown) alter ego.

[@emperorleachicus2199]

For some reason the whole threat of kidnapping thing really took me by surprise. When you were having this email exchange I was only 3 years old, so I knew nothing of the sort at the time, but the fact that not only would scammers do the usual stuff you see nowadays, but they would also try to kidnap and ransom people makes me extremely worried for something that may or may not have happened to innocent, vulnerable people 16 years ago. In a way I’m relieved that scammers nowadays, while awful and willing to encourage people to spend money they were saving for life-saving operations, they at least don’t go to quite the same extent to get people’s money.

[@ladyalicent705]

Scared me too. I was still in my mother’s womb at the time of this exchange, so I feel you

[@MrFish475]

I think this is one of my favorites. Most scammers will just be writing emails all day. He had to clear his schedule and waste his entire afternoon waiting for you to call him from the airport.

[@sammy_sand_utubeyt6901]

And the money spent!

[@hollybrereton3140]

"working in the logistics of erotic art" you sir, have gone up in my assumptions. Bravo!

[@Fanny-Fanny]

For me, the main logistic of working with erotic art is how it is possible to hold the pamphlet in one hand reliably, despite any secondary motions that may be occurring in their vicinity.

[@CityofButterfly]

Gone up? 🙃

[@SeppelSquirrel]

Typically when you see the same erotic art for the 400th time, it's just another sheet on a page. Sure it's "tee-hee" at first, but then it grows into a nonsexual appreciation of the expression of creativity. Whether through photography or flicks of the wrist, art is meaningful. Source: Myself, having worked in that matter for 10+ years.

[@MrFraggleSpock]

When Time Lords get to Mike’s age, they tend to get their tenses muddled up. What? He’s British, crafty and wholesome. Definite Time Lord.

[@leonardochapman4736]

The doctor, the master, or someone random?

[@tatertatertatertatertater]

Well that means he's dead by now, unless he's the doctor in disguise or something idk

[@ethansumner688]

He’s *The Shrimp*

[@baumdf9134]

In case my absence of earth caused by death only is my new favourite sentence

[@dragonick2947]

Unfortunately, you probably won't have any reasons to use it very often- that is, excluding causing a reason. >:-)

[@GranthamStreet]

No pigeons were stopped in the making of this video.

[@wierdboy]

I remember stumbling across 419 eater years ago and getting hooked reading through it. Favorite part has always been the names people picked out to mess with scammers. Do you have a favorite bait.

[@eternalextrapolations]

Shiver Metimbers was a prolific baiter. I always presumed cosmic shrimp started there.

[@yerrrrrd]

The name I always use is Mr Phil A. Tropist

[@eternalextrapolations]

@DriftZ TwoSeven Sounds brilliant, and retro computing is very in vogue! It could be the kind of sustainable computing devices they use in Wah Conda 😄

[@TheCyberDruid]

While your newer scam baits are more like minimal jazz, this is like an opera ;) Well done!

[@nessamillikan6247]

Both make me feel like that’s what a luxury vacation watching the New York skyline at night would be like.

[@UseZapCannon]

I swear I pick up a new joke every time I watch this - Richard calling Enema Morphy-Richards his "maternal aunt", even though he has two moms and thus _all_ of his aunts are his maternal aunts - Richard buying Austin a pair of masculine and feminine watches too, even though he knows Austin is a man - Austin switches from "warmest regards" back to just "regards" after Richard lands in Nigeria, and Richard immediately starts doing the same thing - Richard never makes up his mind how to sign off his emails or which of his names to use in the signature, and never does it the same way twice in a row - Richard bought plane tickets with "currency units," but he knows what US dollars are, which raises the terrifying question of what currency he uses. Chocolate coins, I have to imagine

[@XenosInfinity]

You used Dick Dastardly as an alias. This is glorious and I'm in.

[@presidentbutterpudding4025]

Don't forget Mutley

[@XenosInfinity]

@@presidentbutterpudding4025 I was about a minute into the video when I made the comment, so I hadn't reached that point yet.

[@cm5322]

@@presidentbutterpudding4025 no spoilers pls

[@OdinSmilesRavensLaugh72051]

Even penelope pitstop got a shout 😂

[@giantboop5189]

@@OdinSmilesRavensLaugh72051 Next thing you'll tell me is that Peter Perfect saves the scammer's day

[@ValentineS97]

he wants you to TRAVEL.... this is one of the more elaborate ones. i’ve never heard of them needing you to travel somewhere and like meet them to go through with the scam. wow.

[@AtomicShrimp]

It used to be a lot more common - and people got kidnapped for ransom and/or murdered. I think the scammer community (if there is such a thing) moved away from it because kidnapping is risky for the kidnapper (at least, more risky than sitting behind a computer and pretending to be a bank official)

[@Firing_Order]

Honestly though, if I was told I'm getting an Omega and instead got a Tissot I'd be pretty pissed.

[@strawberrylemonadelioness]

Honestly telling him your name is Dick Dastardly and giving him The Warner Brothers number is hilarious. This is probably my favorite scambaiting episode because of that alone.

[@l0st5oul45]

have you had any romance scammers which you've been able to string along? those tend to be the most interesting ones i respond to because you can literally take the conversation in any direction and derail their scripts

[@jacksonlarson6099]

I was thinking about that. In my own experience scambaiting (it really is a fun pastime if you know what you're doing), I have encountered far more "me so horny" scams than millionaire scams.

[@l0st5oul45]

@@jacksonlarson6099 I haven't come across as many horny scammers lol. I tend to get a lot of foreign dignitaries or their relative who are trying to sneakily get a secret account cashed out with my help, or some rich old people who are on the verge of death saying they've picked me as the beneficiary to carry on their charity work. These kinds of scammers get boring real quick. I prefer romance scammers because you can change the topic to anything and run with it for a while and your excuse can be "this is just something I usually do" or "I want us to get to know each other better". The scammers I really wanna mess with through are the blackmail types but they rarely leave email address and don't respond if you reply to their original threat

[@MCSMeister]

He actually did bait a romance scammer in a few videos and pretended to be two different characters. Check these videos out: kzbin.info/www/bejne/b2WppYmomJmpkKM kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYSwfGuDm6mYidk

[@samhouston2800]

If I ever end up with an absurd amount of money, I’m going to try my hardest to fake scam-bait and end up giving Mr. Shrimp the money without him giving anything first.

[@regirayquaza]

Do it like right after you get called a scammer

[@Smitology]

I wonder if you'll keep up the act after sending him the money, like it was a big mistake similar to the "let's tell the scammer I already have the money" video

[@__-bk6mm]

"even though she was old" would be such a confusing and weird thing to legitimately say in that context.

[@WhitlaPhobia]

This feels way more sinister than other scams I've seen... Jeesh

[@mr.personalspace7831]

Every vigilante has an origin story. Some might be mundane, some not exactly superhero material- but this one is at the very least the start of something entertaining!

[@Panneapple]

"so excluding abduction by aliens" i only just started watching the video and i'm already laughing

[@PandemoniumMeltDown]

... then the suspense, dRamA... intrugue then more suspense until the fish went back home, all sad and crying but no one noticed for it was into space.

[@leightonpetty4817]

It’s been 3 years and I only just now got the absurdity of describing someone as “My maternal aunt and the last surviving descendent of so-and-so”

[@bushranger8960]

Dick Dastardly ain't so Dastardly anymore when he's scambaiting! That's great he turned away from doing evil deeds!

[@cargo_vroom9729]

"Both difficult and impossible" *Stephen Fry wants to know your location*

[@mikepurdy1738]

Glad you finally managed to stop that pigeon, great work Dick

[@gaybowser4648]

This is going to be so much fun to watch. You know, I want to see Mike make a conlang just for this purpose and use it to frustrate the scammers, realising that they don’t speak the language he is speaking. Or just translate some sentences into languages like Klingon or Sindarin, or Dothraki, Valyrian, you know, other conlangs. It’d be a lot of work and probably wouldn’t result in anything, but it’d be funny. And I might try that one day actually- I’m already constructing one now so you never know.

[@omikronweapon]

12:55 ány old thing will be appreciated, but mostly valuable watches.

[@applehack97]

after being scammed from his one and only victory by an unfair disqualification, Dick Dastardly decided to use his evil genius mind to bait scammers

[@saidchammas]

This guy is way more patient and friendly than other scammers

[@timverma]

If you do one like this again I vote you say, "Let's have already gone scambating previously".

[@yes0r787]

YES

[@omarek555]

Is it just me, or does this email feel way more credible than most of scam emails from recent videos?

[@sizenplace4554]

Yes

[@orchdork775]

I agree

[@calvinscarvings.66]

I think it's because the more obvious scams would deter most people but would get a few people who will definitely fall for it and would give more money than others, and also if they continued to kidnap people more governments would be MUCH more serious about scammers.

[@McVaio]

@@calvinscarvings.66 Governments themselves kidnap people so I don't think they give too many shits about that.

[@mihaelkYeah]

Would you say it was as credible as a credible loan offer?

[@2lefThumbs]

Having watched the entirety, you really hit the ground running back then. The ESL is/would be a good way of interacting tbh. Thanks for this look-back 👍👍

[@cawareyoudoin7379]

It's honestly terrifying to think that at least a few people have fallen for a scam like this... And were never seen again, or their family had to scrape money for the ransom, which might or might not have saved their loved one. My uncle fell for a romance scam, and went to Africa- fortunately he wasn't kidnapped, but in hindsight, he might have been in a pretty dangerous situation. Just because they're seen less, doesn't mean these scams are gone.

[@hanss6983]

"Let's *went* scambaiting" Solid conjugation correction

[@JDgiggles]

Really thankful that you are safe and well and thank you so much for your videos. From being careful online, to taking up plant identification I do appreciate everything.

[@trancelove19]

Your voice is AMAZING! Fitted for a narrator 🥰😍 . It is so soothing even tho the story is related to a scam ,it would be great for a relaxation session 🥺

[@dfgaming6852]

The one and only time I ever almost got scammed by one of these people was back in 2012 in freshman year, the only reason they couldnt scam me was because I was poor and didn't have bank information lol

[@mrcephalopod]

I had a similar story, I fell for the "car accident that wasn't your fault" bait, but she hung up on me when I told her the car crash was 15 years ago lol

[@lemolea9571]

What was the scam?

[@NameName-lv1ik]

"I am distraught beyond the point of physical pain." Same.

[@FCoFix]

0:14 be like Has Anyone Really Been Far Even as Decided to Use Even Go Want to do Look More Like?

[@anest-uk]

Ah yes... to 'pick' someone - very authentic. Takes me back to my time in Nigeria as a lad.

[@TyroneBruinsmaFilms]

The newest superhero origin film - Baitman Begins

[@KookShanty]

I imagine the lady at Warner Bros. thought the guy calling asking for a Dick Dastardly was a prank call, completely unaware that he was serious

[@colintaylor8578]

This was brilliant. Without doubt the best scam baiting on KZbin. The in depth detail is fantastic, very witty indeed.

[@useitwice]

Haha this must have been such an original idea in 2004, you have a fun mind my friend!

[@HexagonThatReallyLikesVinegar]

This man can afford like 8 expensive watches but cant buy a plane ticket without dipping into his friends funds.

[@JW-vi2nh]

A "family driver" for a family who is supposedly living in a refugee camp and has no access to their finances because they are refugees... makes total sense to me!

[@MuppetHell]

Aight since I'm a huge WR/DMaFM/TPoPP fan, I decided to find every reference in this and list them all here -Pigeon Obsessions -Muttley -Aeroplane -The General -Vulture Squadron -Wacky Races [A Given] -The Ant Hill Mob -And of Course, Penelope Pitstop [though Sneekly would have been better] Nice job Shrimp, nice job

[@alexanderalbach468]

To my surprise the initial email sounds a minor bit smarter that the more recent emails...

[@realkangaroocafevietnam]

I've been a fan of yours for quite some time & have enormous respect for what you do as well as admiring your terrific sense of humor.

[@itsgeegra]

This is really incredible, a lovely insight in to a slightly more juvenile sense of humour, I *knew* it was in there somewhere

[@sketchpad7116]

My scambaiting journey started because of this channel, so good job!

[@wesleyackerman8211]

So he called the studio asking for Dick Dastardly and all they said was "there's no such person here"? Must have been a receptionist who didn't know the classics. Hope you bring back the cartoon character personas for later videos!

[@loganreads90]

Or they were focused on shoving Pokemon down everyone's' pie-holes. I love Pokemon, but the amount of advertising they'd shelled out money for was astounding.

[@beesree39]

@@loganreads90 lol what

[@FappleJackity]

Loved this, felt like you nonchalantly running him around with a hearty amount of effort on both sides.

[@lightsgaming9315]

I love you so much atomic shrimp, I think you are a truly incredible person- a real life superhero, protecting vulnerable people from these heartless psychopaths, please never stop scambaiting! 😊 😂

[@andyroooo6329]

I clicked like on the video before having watched it all the way through, expecting a quality video, and a quality video was delivered. Its pretty crazy how entertaining just simple scam emails can be, I suppose thats a testament to how quality video making can make anything interesting.

[@beerad5205]

What microphone do you use and what is your audio recording setup? Your audio always sounds super crisp.

[@AtomicShrimp]

This was recorded on a Blue Yeti USB into Audacity

[@beerad5205]

Atomic Shrimp do you use a pop filter and do you have a room or location that you record in?

[@africa_everyday]

Hes an elite orator.

[@vgamesx1]

You can get great sound even from very inexpensive ~$20 microphones like the samson go mic, all you have to do is turn the gain down, move the mic close to your face and if you need to, later boost it in post. I would recommend viewing podcastage to get more tips and find something that fits your budget. kzbin.info/door/vOU-zTlankT-JjN3ZzvuKA

[@AtomicShrimp]

@B-rad - yes - I have the mic mounted on a stand (as standard, the Blue Yeti comes with a table stand, which is not great either for height or transmission of noise from the floor). I just have a cheap clip-on pop filter with a gooseneck stalk, and when I am recording audio for these sessions, I just prop up a big sheet of foam behind the mic to isolate it from half of the room (and to isolate my voice from bouncing off the facing wall) I usually record these in my little 'studio' - of which there is a mini tour here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/omXMkpewbsyEpNU

[@maldegaar]

These guys are more professional than usual. I would expect the scammers to get better rather than worse over the years!

[@avisternlieb449]

Thanks @AtomicShrimp for all your videos and work! They're a tremendous highlight and I'm always looking forward to the next :)

[@leightonpetty4817]

The Wacky Races running gag absolutely made this video as hysterical as it was

[@marineboy6033]

In about 2002/3 I arranged to meet a scammer at a bank in Bloemfontein......My scam baiting was not as elaborate or as funny as yours but still gave me some satisfaction as the scammer hung around at the bank for a couple of hours waiting for me.....unfortunately I was detained in Surrey 6000 miles away so couldn’t make the appointment and was unable to let him know....he was a bit rude in his voicemail to me.....

[@solidsnake1806]

I am shocked to find out that 20 years ago the goal was literally to kidnap someone (most likely). Makes the current advance fee scams look like minor inconvenience.

[@mattiap2360]

Oh, wow! "Are you interested in digital photography and mobile computering" is the main thing that makes this video and old scam bating hahaha!

[@fionaedge5332]

Oh my God, this is bringing back old memories of reading 419 website, and there was a Lady Penelope. So much entertainment.

[@real_arktic_foxxy]

I'm sure John Barosa will be happy to see this video

[@Michaeljack81sk]

As someone who grew up with Dastardly & Muttley and Wacky Races your references had me almost spitting tea. Well played sir!

[@dubhoven1]

Please hold up a sign saying 'waiting for Dick to avoid any confusion or embarrassment.' 🤣 Fucking brilliant 👌

[@OdinSmilesRavensLaugh72051]

Usually i flick between things on youtube... been watching these all day.. Priceless 😂

[@mCblue79]

You know how you read kids a story before bed? Well these vids are you reàding me a story before I crash, so thank you!

[@yeah.cheers]

The fact that in March 2004, this South Africa kidnapper really called Warner Brothers Studios and asked to speak with Dick Dastardly is so hilarious