Round one!
Let’s get ready to rumble, in the blue corner we have Wilma Mayhem. In the red corner, there is the scammer! Who will come out as the winner? This could be as messy as Rhea Ripley Vs Liv Morgan in the World Federation Wrestling. Wilma is just continuing her studies on Crime, Harm and the state. Wilma would love to find the time to make social media content, but it’s mission impossible. However, she likes spending a few minutes scrolling through social media while enjoying coffee and a cake. In the scammer’s corner, they send messages to Wilma.
Hello Wilma Mayhem
This is an international star that you follow. I have this private TikTok account. I created this profile to enable me to communicate with at least one or two of my fans worldwide. My verified TikTok account is controlled by my management and social media handler. This is my reason for creating a new account: It enables me to communicate with fans who have supported me through my career. (I think they mean career.) Yes, as a dyslexic person, Wilma can spot spelling mistakes. Thank you, and God bless you for your love and support. Signed, the international artist.
Letter one
Hello, top fan! I hope this message finds you well. This may seem unexpected, but I assure you it’s real. I am currently conducting a secure and private outreach to connect more personally with some of my amazing supporters, like yourself, as part of an effort to strengthen and grow our fan-based community. I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for your unwavering support and contributions over the years. Your dedication means so much to me, and I truly appreciate everything you’ve done to help us grow together. Please feel free to reply. I would love to get to know you better. Warm regards, and leave a Telegram account link to join.
Letter 2
How about URGENT; PROTECT YOURSELF FROM IMPOSTERS! Attention, all fans. Beware of fake accounts claiming to be international stars. This person will never contact fans on Facebook, TikTok, or Instagram. To ensure authenticity. Only trust the VERIFIED FACEBOOK and TikTok account (with a blue tick) managed by us, the management team. Connect with him directly through his PERSONAL TELEGRAM ACCOUNT, which we have supplied below. Don’t fall victim to imposters! Verify before interacting. The management team has brought this message to you. Please share this with other fans to keep everyone safe. Thanks. This all sounds very plausible, except for one problem! This genuine person constantly tells people he does not have a private Telegram account. These are all messages from imposters looking for a damsel in distress.
More messages
Wilma ignores the messages that come to her daily. Wilma finds it frustrating to report all these accounts. Trying to keep on top of the whole scenario is Mission Impossible. Tom Cruise will not be around to say Press that button, and all these people will disappear. Wilma has had friends who have been hacked. Even when reporting this, you receive the report telling you there is nothing wrong with the account. Wilma reports an account about international artists. It is full of downloaded TikTok videos that were uploaded to a fake account. There is nothing wrong with this, along with the special fan message. This round is equal at present.
Round 2!
Wilma has been discussing a phishing issue with the Scottish Police after being referred by the UK Fraud Squad and receiving no response from Interpol. They have informed her that this is a phishing attempt, which she cannot simply ignore like an email. She discovered a YouTube channel called Social Catfish, which helps scam victims, and many of the stories resonate with her own experiences. Despite not using dating apps or OnlyFans, her friends joke about her newfound online attention, receiving messages from people claiming to be international stars who are often involved in romance scams. Wilma wonders about this sudden interest and suspects that scammers see her dyslexia as a sign of vulnerability, as if she has an invisible “victim” label detectable only with an infrared pen.
Crime
As part of her Open University studies on Crime, harm and the state, there is a part on cybercrime. There is a massive problem, Wilma spotted. There is no way to distinguish between cybercrime and Crime. If a crime is committed online, how do you determine this from something like burglary? Cybercrimes are criminal acts committed using digital technology. This will introduce complex subjects, such as surveillance. Wilma was sent a link to a fake website through WhatsApp, and she reported this to the Police. Again, recording this with the Police, this Crime is not distinguished between online and offline offences. This follows the Home Office, as crimes which have been recorded are determined by the law. The only way to report cybercrime is through the specified misuse of a computer Act from 1990. Wilma is on the ropes, and the scammer is winning.
Round 3!
Wilma’s scammer returns; he has been gaslighting her for a while. He informed her that he was back in Germany! She knew this through the actual person’s social media posts, as he is on tour again shortly. How about a meet and greet? What a fantastic idea! She knows he will be coming to the UK for one show. She wonders what his cunning plan is. He sends her the link so she can book her meet-and-greet. You can pay anything between $5000-$100000 for this privilege. Firstly, Wilma scrolls through and notices a spelling mistake in one of the headings. Secondly, she notices that the copyright is 2025. The people who run the accurate artist website have updated the copyright on the website.
Verify information
Why does the fake website claim that he is speaking? This site features many celebrities, encouraging users to enter their details and the nearest airport to facilitate bookings. Wilma wonders if she can schedule Bon Jovi for an event at the North Pole. To protect others, she reported the website as a scam on social media. She informed Mr. G about it, as he has experience with coding. He investigated the website and discovered several issues. He then ran it through ChatGPT, which provided a report.
- Domain Registration: The domain was relatively recent, on January 30, 2025.
- Lack of Verifiable Information: The website lacks precise contact details, physical addresses, and information about the company’s history and team members.
- **Absence from Official Sources:** This booking service is not listed on the official website or verified social media accounts
- Given these red flags, it’s advisable to exercise caution. Always cross-reference booking agencies with the artist’s official channels to ensure authenticity, and consider contacting the artist’s management directly for confirmation.
The Police
The Metropolitan police have a site on cybercrime and how to prevent yourself from becoming a victim. It is excellent guidance, but ultimately, all the choices of avoiding cybercrime are up to the individual. Does everyone know the risks of going onto unsecured websites? Focusing on an individual can lead to the perception that the person who was scammed is to blame for not taking sufficient precautions to avoid being victimised. If you have been scammed, your bank will typically reimburse the money you lost. Unfortunately, without a crime to investigate, it can be frustrating for victims, as they may feel there is no justice for their situation. There are no effective deterrents or measures in place to prevent or reduce cybercrime.
Round 4!
Wilma has turned green through frustration and is now sulking in the corner of the wrestling ring. She is dam well pissed off! If you want professional help, look up the Social Catfish website. A small fee may help you trace who you are talking to online to prevent yourself from being scammed. It is better to be safe and have peace of mind. Also, speak to the Police on 101 if you suspect a fake website.
As for Wilma, she has left the following contact details for scammers
Wilma Mayhem
St Trinian’s
9 Chippendale Lane
UK
SW1A 2HN
Email Wilma.Mayhem@awayandboilyirheid.com
Useful links
Report a scam website – NCSC.GOV.UK