[caitlinface]

It is cold. And I think it's harmful to infer that the people that fall for these are stupid. It does nothing to help the situation.

If the prevailing thought is that you're stupid for falling for a scam, then the victim is less likely to share and inform, and then education does not spread. All it does is make them feel awful, which is not helpful and just even more hurtful.

I think we have to come at it from the angle of the scammers are tactical and that it's okay if you are a victim. It sucks, of course, but no blame necessary on the victim.

I know someone who got a similar message from her priest asking for gift cards. The scammer got a hold of the church directory and used that to send out messages. The person thought she was doing a favor for her priest and wanted to help; it is not her fault that the red flags weren't as strong as they should've been. Not everyone operates on suspicion mode.

I know another who was almost a victim of the the sobbing phone call: "Granpda, I'm in jail! Please send me bail. Also don't tell anyone!"

These types of scams target emotions and kindness. That's how these people operate in the real world. It's not that these people are stupid, it's more that they are unaware and not sensitive to the red flags.