I recently got scammed out of some money by someone pretending to be a friend of mine. I know they go to my school because I recognized their profile and who they were following. We've been messaging on Instagram, and they sent me emails from two different iCloud accounts. Unfortunately, I can't trace them on any other platforms or payment apps. I did manage to get their IP address, which is registered in my city, so I'm pretty sure they are a student at my school. I also obtained their AS number. I'm looking for advice on how I can help my parents confront the scammer's parents since I'm not the only victim here. They even sent me a picture from an iPhone 7, and I might uncover more device information by examining other images. Any insights on dealing with this situation would be great!
3 Answers
Honestly, the best advice is to stop engaging with them completely. Ending communication is crucial to avoid further complications.
The AS number you found is public and usually just shows the Internet Service Provider (ISP), not personal details about the user. It can tell you the general area where the IP is, but you won't be able to identify the scammer directly from that. You should focus on gathering as much info as possible, but remember that individual user details are typically protected.
I understand you're tempted to keep baiting them by asking for their Cash App details, but keep in mind that they might just create another account to avoid being traced. Reporting everything to the police could be a safer route; they can handle it from there.
Yeah, I know I need to report it, just trying to weigh all options before involving the authorities.
If you have a phone number that matches the area tied to the scammer's IP, that could be useful. It might be worth investigating that lead further.