I also warn my mother not to think she's clever and talk back to the scammers. "Don't tell them off" I tell her. Just hang up. Say nothing.
> then realizing what was going on then positively jovial at how they'd played the scammers along for almost a full day.
...because once they realize they're talking to an old lady, they may realize the "kidnapping" story may not work, but a call verifying something for a Stimulus check might (for example).
Hang up for another reason. That is less data they have to fake they are you. Say "yes" and any audio tech with a reel to real tape recorder can insert that yes into a different conversion where you are agreeing to whatever scam. (it is easier with modern technology of course) say enough and they can clone your voice inflections and record your voice saying anything they want.
I don't know if it has. However it is reasonable tactic. If you have a recording of them agreeing to something that is strong evidence in court. You need to figure out how to get payment, but if you have bank information from some other source (not hard) a charity to "help the poor" that spends 5% on the poor and the rest on CEO isn't hard to set up.
I had a conversation with a scammer claiming to be MSFT support, maybe 5-6 years back. It was clearly a cold call, not based on any PII, so I just toyed along for maybe a half hour until I started getting bored. We talked another 10 minutes or so about life in his city, lack of jobs, using fake tech support as a stepping stone, practicing english, siblings, etc. Seemed like the same familiar monotonous daily grind, just trying to find a path and provide. Maybe that was all an act too, but it felt authentic.
Yeah one guy has sound effects (such as driving for going to the store to buy the gift cards) and voice modification set up.
There was a video that he kept the scammer on the phone for 6+ hrs then at the end when he was giving them the apple cards was "confused" and redeemed $20000 dollars onto "her" "own" account to send them a computer all on a vm where they could watch her putting in the cards codes and go through the checkout but the control software "was broken" so they couldn't interfere.
edit: Youtuber/twitch streamer is mentioned below, Kitboga
Yea, some of those are hilarious to watch actually. I can't sit there for that long. But I would say on average I can easily waste 10 minutes of someone's time while still getting work done on my side.
> then realizing what was going on then positively jovial at how they'd played the scammers along for almost a full day.
...because once they realize they're talking to an old lady, they may realize the "kidnapping" story may not work, but a call verifying something for a Stimulus check might (for example).
Just hang up. You won't outwit them.