YouTube Channel 'Tech Support Scams' Taken Offline By Tech Support Scam (theregister.com)40
The Tech Support Scams YouTube channel, operated by host and creator Jim Browning, was deleted after a tech support scam convinced Browning that the only way to secure his account was to delete it. The Register reports: "So to prove that anyone can be scammed," Browning announced via Twitter following the attack, "I was convinced to delete my YouTube channel because I was convinced I was talking [to YouTube] support. I never lost control of the channel, but the sneaky s**t managed to get me to delete the channel. Hope to recover soon." To fool Browning, the ruse must have been convincing: "I track down the people who scam others on the Internet," he writes on his Patreon page. "This is usually those 'tech support' call frauds using phone calls or pop-ups. I explain what I do by guiding others in how to recognize a scam and, more importantly, how to turn the tables on scammers by tracking them down."
Browning has made a name for himself with self-described "scam baiting" videos, in which he sets up honeypot systems and pretends to fall for scams in which supposed support staffers need remote access to fix a problem or remove a virus -- in reality scouring the hard drive for sensitive files or planting malware of their own. "I am hoping that YouTube Support can recover the situation by 29th July," Browning wrote in a Patreon update, "and I can get the channel back, but they've not promised anything as yet. I just hope it is recoverable."
Whether Browning is able to recover the account, and the 3.28 million subscribers he had gathered over his career as a scam-baiter, he's hoping to turn his misfortune into another lesson. "I will make a video on how all of this went down," he pledged, "but suffice to say, it was pretty convincing until the very end."
Browning has made a name for himself with self-described "scam baiting" videos, in which he sets up honeypot systems and pretends to fall for scams in which supposed support staffers need remote access to fix a problem or remove a virus -- in reality scouring the hard drive for sensitive files or planting malware of their own. "I am hoping that YouTube Support can recover the situation by 29th July," Browning wrote in a Patreon update, "and I can get the channel back, but they've not promised anything as yet. I just hope it is recoverable."
Whether Browning is able to recover the account, and the 3.28 million subscribers he had gathered over his career as a scam-baiter, he's hoping to turn his misfortune into another lesson. "I will make a video on how all of this went down," he pledged, "but suffice to say, it was pretty convincing until the very end."
Wow, the expert falls for a scam. You are right, funny in a way, but highlights how the average person can be vulnerable to some of the scum out there.
Posted by: bogie | August 01, 2021 at 06:11 AM
Bogie--This served as a warning to me. Instead of using "Unsubscribe" services for unwanted emails, I am now blocking the sender. What do I know?!
Later: I just found this, which I copied from the preview rather than going to the website - "Think before you click. Email: • Be very careful with email • Delete emails from companies you do not do business with • Delete emails in lieu of clicking the 'unsubscribe' link if you do not do business with them • Do not download attachments from a source you do not know."
Posted by: Cop Car | August 01, 2021 at 10:26 AM
Yeah, if it is an unsolicited email (from a company you have not doen business with), don't click the unsubscribe link. They will go away after a short time and no risk of clicking on a bad thing.
Posted by: bogie | August 08, 2021 at 05:48 AM
Bogie--For clarity: There were two companies that suddenly started sending me emails; but, I had done business with each of them in past years when I was doing much traveling - Travel Smith and Magellan. Still....
Posted by: Cop Car | August 08, 2021 at 06:51 AM