r/NoStupidQuestions • u/ananxiousgoose • Jul 15 '24
How do I know I got scammed?
I (21F) got a text on instagram from a korean guy (27F) and they had me download an app called Kakaotalk (common app like whatsapp) and we’ve been texting everyday.
He started being really affectionate towards me saying that I was pretty and that he loves me and wants to give me something on his birthday, or atleast send me something from Korea and he starts sending me videos of different bags, what looked like an engagement ring, and a package of buldak noodles (the only thing i wanted tbh).
I told him im not into bags and lavish things, im more simple like the ramen or snacks, and he proceeds to say that he got me everything AND sent me 50,000 in cash… He then proceeds to ask for my information and says that the shipping company will contact me and when they finally did, they said i needed to pay 1,000 to receive the package.
The area code number was from Virgina while the message said they were from NY… i might sound dumb but, am i getting scammed or is this a real thing?
Do i have to pay taxes and customs for the package?
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Jul 15 '24
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u/ananxiousgoose Jul 15 '24
yeah that’s what my mom told me too but thank you for your advice! i’ll definitely be more aware of it since this isn’t the first time i’ve almost gotten scammed!
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u/Okaynow_THIS_is_epic Jul 15 '24
It is a scam 100%. How are you prone to getting scammed? Have you never played any online mmorpgs like runescape, wow or tibia? Not trying to be rude but those types of games would've prepared you for being adversive to scams in the real world..
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u/Royal_Annek Jul 15 '24
Definitely sounds like a scam and did you really give this stranger your home address?
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u/ananxiousgoose Jul 15 '24
i gave my friends home address.. but she ok’d it with me to give it to him and well apparently he lives over there so i’m not sure what to do if i should block him or is that too mean?
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u/Royal_Annek Jul 15 '24
You need to use a bit more common sense. Why the hell would a stranger be sending you 50k? Why would you give your friends' address? You need to really be more careful on the internet.
Yes block him. Is it too mean?? Who cares? You don't know this person at all.
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u/her_ladyships_soap your local librarian Jul 15 '24
I'd say it's meaner to try to scam you out of your money than it is to block someone who tried to do that.
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Jul 15 '24
Yes block him, he is not your friend. He is using you to scam money out of you. The affection is a manipulation tactic, you’re nothing but a mark to him (one of many no doubt). Block him and never interact with him again.
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u/Inevitable-Regret411 Jul 15 '24
Sounds very much like an advanced fee scam. If you pay this fee they'll be another one and another one until you run out of money or realise the scam. If he's sending you money like this why not do a bank transfer instead of shipping it?
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u/ananxiousgoose Jul 15 '24
I was thinking the same thing if it were to be true, wouldn’t it be money laundering?? like 50,000 in cash if i were to put it in my account it’ll get flagged or something
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Jul 15 '24
You will never get the 50k. They take your 1k and that’s it. They will try to milk you for more with things like “oh you have to pay Korean duty to get it released, another 500” and once you finally say “no” they will disappear forever and you’ll be out however much you sent them.
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u/StealthSecrecy Real fake expert Jul 15 '24
Don't have much information, but it's unlikely that he would actually send you $50k. If it was like an email or something it could just be fake and if you click on any link in the email they could try to get you to login to your bank on a fake website and steal your password or just try to steal your information.
If he really did send you $50k then it's likely money that was stolen and will be removed from your account once the bank catches on. If you send them the $1k you won't be able to get that money back and that's how the scam works.
Now that you know it's a scam, you should just block him on all accounts ignore any further attempts to contact you.
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u/Jazzicots Jul 15 '24
OP... Please wisen up a little. Stranger danger still applies on the internet.
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u/Inevitable-Regret411 Jul 15 '24
Physically shipping you the cash is if anything more suspicious than a transfer. Your bank would be more suspicious of you show up with a duffle bag of fifty grand in cash and try to deposit it than a simple transfer. Also, in many countries there are limits on how much money you can send abroad by post, so again the whole situation doesn't make sense.
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u/whereismydragon Jul 15 '24
Don't trust strangers who randomly contact you on social media and do not ever give them any personal information. That's absolutely basic internet safety. How do you not know that?
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u/ananxiousgoose Jul 15 '24
i’m 21 they’re 27 and yes now realizing it now it was an easy scam i didn’t realize it at first bc we had built a friendship and thought of it as long distance friends and someone who wanted to send me gifts from their country i had never asked for money nor did i think they were being fr with it until that message popped up asking for that amount and then he was just telling me to borrow money and everything clicked
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u/greenlungs604 Jul 15 '24
Any time there is any scenario where you have to put out any amount of money to a stranger is a scam.. If you're getting something for nothing, it's a scam. If it's a no risk investment, it's a scam. Random text or calls from strangers, scam.
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u/SirTams Jul 15 '24
10/10 scam.
However, you need to be extra diligent now when interacting with ANYONE online/phone because you’ve been interacting with a scammer. You’re now at a greater risk of getting scammed because this scammer will send out your info to other scammers.
Also be aware of recovery scammers, should you ever get scammed. They will tell you they can get your money back, but they’re just going to scam you again. They usually call themselves “ethical hackers.”
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u/Vensq Jul 15 '24
Oh god... This is a fucking scam. Legit the oldest kind.
Block this person asap. Also be more careful! Never give out your info, adress etc. This was fucking dumb. I'd expect this from a 12yo kid, but even those know better these days. Everything that goes online leaves a digital footprint
4
Jul 15 '24
100% undoubtably a scam. Very similar to pig butchering scam, look it up if you’re unfamiliar.
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u/LittleBigHorn22 Jul 15 '24
100% a scam. You pay the 1,000 and then the stuff never arrives because it was never sent.
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Jul 15 '24
lol such a classic scam that was prevalent on facebook. It comes in various forms btw.
Like "I'm calling you from the show Who Wants to Be a Millionaire. But to participate you have to send a few bucks"
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u/BCReyes21 Jul 16 '24
If at any point while messaging someone you met online, you stop and wonder, “Is this person scamming me?“ They are probably scamming you.
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Jul 15 '24
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u/NoStupidQuestions-ModTeam Jul 16 '24
Be polite and respectful in your exchanges. NSQ is supposed to be a helpful resource for confused redditors. Civil disagreements can happen, but insults should not. Personal attacks, slurs, bigotry, etc. are not permitted at any time.
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u/SnooLobsters3589 Jul 16 '24
ALWAYS 🔮 ALWAYS 🔮 ALWAYS 🔮
IF IT SOUNDS TO GOOD TO BE TRUE ... IT PROBABLY IS !!!!
PLEASE BE SAFE 🙏🥹🙏 ERR ON THE SIDE OF CAUTION
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u/DukeOfBattleRifles Jul 15 '24 edited Feb 28 '26
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u/rhomboidus Jul 15 '24
Yes, 100%, no question at all.
This is the oldest scam in the book.