Anti-scam sites have been popping up since the turn of the century. It started as a noble cause to save WM from the evil clutches of less than honest freelancing RW/UW. Now, scamming is nearly an industry with boiler room operations to avoid as well.
Today, there are dozens of competing sources for anti-scam information. Why so? It is claimed that some anti-scam sites are owned by agencies or firms that want to steer business revenue to their sites or away from their competing sites. When money is at stake this type of warfare becomes personal and allegations of misconduct fly across the web. All of this creates a cloud of uncertainty for the Western Man that is starting his journey.
To go on... the most noticable asset that anti scam sites have are its database of reported individual scammers. Unfortunately it is perhaps the least valuable component. Nearly all e-mail scammers use hijacked photos and addresses. The only real thing is where to send the money.
Consequently, for the most part, the important question is not "who" is a scammer (since the answer is almost certainly bogus) but, "how" to recognize a scammer. This is the most important information that an anti-scam site can provide. By knowing and recognizing their MOs you are half way there. The rest is having your head screwed on straight so that you can use this info without getting sucked into their web of illusions.
Try not to dwell and rely on the size of an anti-scam database, but how much insight they provide in the methods of operations. By ignoring all references to sites, agencies and firms in anti scam sites, you will remove the uncertainty caused by site to site infighting. Also, ignore the geographical locations of scammer activities. Yes it is true that scammer activites can occur in clusters, however it can be a means for competing agencies to discredit girls in particular areas.
You, the consumer, are the best defense in thwarting the scammer. Don't rely on anti scam sites as a crutch, but a learning tool. Your best weapon is good information on how they operate.
advocate
Last edited on Sunday February 11th, 2007 07:29 pm by advocate
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