Outsmart scammers thanks to this fool-proof trick by NRL footy legend!
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Scammers are everywhere these days, and their schemes have become more convincing as time goes by.
It seems like no one is safe—not even Australia's sporting heroes!
Yet, when a scammer tried to pull a fast one on a former NRL star, they got a lot more than they bargained for.
The scam began innocently with a message sliding into footy star Eric Grothe Jnr's inbox.
The scammer, posing as someone in desperate need, asked for US$200 (A$308).
She then upped the ante and requested Amazon gift cards from the star.
Instead of falling for the con, Grothe turned the tables in spectacular fashion.
Instead of ignoring the message or getting angry at the scammer, he decided to have some fun.
He asked the scammer for 'proof' of their identity.
'Can you please send me a photo of yourself holding a piece of paper with my name on it? If so, I can help you out,' Grothe asked in exchange for help.
What he got back was a hilariously bad, obviously photoshopped image of a woman holding a digitally scribbled 'Eric Grothe' sign.
Not one to let the joke end there, Grothe kept the conversation going, making increasingly ridiculous requests.
'With that exact same piece of paper, also hold up four fingers and make sure your face is showing as well,' he responded, promising to send the money once he got the photo.
The scammer, clearly flustered, tried to guilt-trip him with tales of illness and hardship, complete with pleas for help.
However, Grothe was just getting started.
He spun a wild yarn story about inheriting $4.5 million and wanting to share it with 'trustworthy people'.
Read through Eric Grothe's exchanges with the scammer here:
Source: @ericgrothejr/Instagram
He even joked about falling in love with the scammer.
'Aahh, man, I can't believe I'm saying this. Do you feel what I feel? You do. I know it,' Grothe wrote in jest.
The scammer, sensing a payday, played along with Grothe.
Yet the NRL star roped his 'whole family' in to help write his emotional messages for the scammer.
As the conversation dragged on, the scammer's patience wore thin.
They asked for money again and again, even lowering their initial request.
Yet Grothe kept up the charade, insisting that he was an 'action-taker' who just needed a little more proof.
The scammer, now desperate, tried to get Grothe to buy $1,000 worth of Steam vouchers on Amazon and even sent instructions on how to redeem them.
Read more of their exchange here:
Source: @ericgrothejr/Instagram
Grothe played dumb, sending back a video of his car's fuel gauge instead of clicking the scammer's link.
When the scammer complained about Grothe talking about his ex, Grothe replied with more jokes.
The lengthy exchange ended with a simple, 'I think I'm done.'
The scammer, defeated, replied with a cold 'OK.'
While Grothe's approach was entertaining, not everyone has the time or energy to toy with scammers.
At the same time, not all scams are easy to spot.
According to ScamWatch, Aussies have already reported over 72,000 cases of fraud this year, with $118 million worth of losses.
From phishing emails to romance rorts and investment cons, these crooks are getting more creative by the day.
ScamWatch warned that fraudsters are experts at tugging on people's heartstrings and making their stories sound believable.
Yet, as Grothe's experience showed, a little wit and a good sense of humour could go a long way in dealing with scammers.
So, what can you do to protect yourself?
Have you ever been targeted by a scammer? Did you manage to turn the tables, or did you spot the scam before it was too late? Share your stories in the comments below, and let's help each other stay one step ahead of scammers.
ALSO READ: Home & Away fans warned over scam involving one cast member. What happened?
It seems like no one is safe—not even Australia's sporting heroes!
Yet, when a scammer tried to pull a fast one on a former NRL star, they got a lot more than they bargained for.
The scam began innocently with a message sliding into footy star Eric Grothe Jnr's inbox.
The scammer, posing as someone in desperate need, asked for US$200 (A$308).
She then upped the ante and requested Amazon gift cards from the star.
Eric Grothe Jr played in the NRL until 2014. Image Credit: Wikipedia
Instead of falling for the con, Grothe turned the tables in spectacular fashion.
Instead of ignoring the message or getting angry at the scammer, he decided to have some fun.
He asked the scammer for 'proof' of their identity.
'Can you please send me a photo of yourself holding a piece of paper with my name on it? If so, I can help you out,' Grothe asked in exchange for help.
What he got back was a hilariously bad, obviously photoshopped image of a woman holding a digitally scribbled 'Eric Grothe' sign.
Not one to let the joke end there, Grothe kept the conversation going, making increasingly ridiculous requests.
'With that exact same piece of paper, also hold up four fingers and make sure your face is showing as well,' he responded, promising to send the money once he got the photo.
The scammer, clearly flustered, tried to guilt-trip him with tales of illness and hardship, complete with pleas for help.
However, Grothe was just getting started.
He spun a wild yarn story about inheriting $4.5 million and wanting to share it with 'trustworthy people'.
Read through Eric Grothe's exchanges with the scammer here:
Source: @ericgrothejr/Instagram
He even joked about falling in love with the scammer.
'Aahh, man, I can't believe I'm saying this. Do you feel what I feel? You do. I know it,' Grothe wrote in jest.
The scammer, sensing a payday, played along with Grothe.
Yet the NRL star roped his 'whole family' in to help write his emotional messages for the scammer.
As the conversation dragged on, the scammer's patience wore thin.
They asked for money again and again, even lowering their initial request.
Yet Grothe kept up the charade, insisting that he was an 'action-taker' who just needed a little more proof.
The scammer, now desperate, tried to get Grothe to buy $1,000 worth of Steam vouchers on Amazon and even sent instructions on how to redeem them.
Read more of their exchange here:
Source: @ericgrothejr/Instagram
Grothe played dumb, sending back a video of his car's fuel gauge instead of clicking the scammer's link.
When the scammer complained about Grothe talking about his ex, Grothe replied with more jokes.
The lengthy exchange ended with a simple, 'I think I'm done.'
The scammer, defeated, replied with a cold 'OK.'
While Grothe's approach was entertaining, not everyone has the time or energy to toy with scammers.
At the same time, not all scams are easy to spot.
According to ScamWatch, Aussies have already reported over 72,000 cases of fraud this year, with $118 million worth of losses.
From phishing emails to romance rorts and investment cons, these crooks are getting more creative by the day.
ScamWatch warned that fraudsters are experts at tugging on people's heartstrings and making their stories sound believable.
Yet, as Grothe's experience showed, a little wit and a good sense of humour could go a long way in dealing with scammers.
So, what can you do to protect yourself?
- Be sceptical: If someone you don't know asks for money, especially via gift cards or wire transfers, it's almost certainly a scam.
- Don't rush: Scammers want you to act quickly before you have time to think. Take a breath and double-check their story.
- Ask for proof: As Grothe did, ask for something only a real person could provide. Most scammers will fail this test.
- Never share personal info: Don't give out your bank details, passwords, or other sensitive information to strangers online.
- Report immediately: If you think you've been targeted, contact your bank and report the incident to ScamWatch.
ALSO READ: Home & Away fans warned over scam involving one cast member. What happened?
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