Monday 15 February 2021

the language of scamming

A 'scam' is 'a stratagem for gain':

[And this definition includes some good example sentences]

Scamming definition and meaning | Collins English Dictionary

And we need to know how it works. A good way is to look at the language used by scammers. For example:

"Good news dear, It is my pleasure to inform you that the latest development regarding the news from the New president of the United State of America to release all your fund through bank of america without any further delay."

--- End scam email 1 ---

The bad grammar, incorrect capitalization, curious wording and the references to the singular United State, are exactly as written. As the blogger who received it said: "This one is so bad, it's good."

(Incidentally, all the spelling and grammar errors in the examples in this article are exactly as in the originals - they're not ours!)

Learn The Language Of The Scam.html

Here's a glossary of the language of scamming:

Fraud Speak: A Guide to Scammers Lingo

And here are some examples of spoken scams:

The Language Of Cybercrime : NPR

Finally, here's lexicographer Susie Dent looking at the history of scamming - and how these words have come into the English language:

In the fairgrounds and market places of 17th-century England, the charlatans and quacks held sway. Standing on raised platforms, they would recite their patter while touting their miracle medicines and potions. The crowds would snap up their wares, falling prey to the most practised and unscrupulous fraudsters in the book.

In some regards, little has changed. Data from Barclays reveals that 2020 had the highest number of scams on record, while a poll conducted by the bank suggested that fewer than half of us have the confidence to talk about it.

The language of scamming has long been bizarre, from ‘plucking a pigeon’ to ‘licking another's fingers’

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