The Dark Side of Scam Money: Where Does the Loot Go?
India's scam call centers are notorious for their lucrative scams, with an average monthly intake of a million dollars. This not only makes the big bosses rich but also the workers, who can take home a staggering $1,000 per day, driving luxury cars, owning nightclubs, and even vacationing in the United States. Stealing money from victims appears as a mere game to many Indians, with gales of laughter following each successful scam.
The operation is organized, with scammers luring victims and passing them on to supervisors. When the big score is imminent, the boss himself steps in. For instance, if a boss manages to garner $2,900 after distributing and paying off everyone, the scammers involved can hope to pocket around $120. However, if a scammer fails to match up, they are met with threats and warned not to return. This ruse often includes odd acts, such as sending a scrapper a counterfeit note, which turns their hands black as a form of payment.
The Scammers' Lifestyle and Spending Habits
Most scams are orchestrated by individuals or groups, often operating under the guise of helping victims with their legal or financial needs. Once they have the money, they face an array of choices regarding how they'll spend it.
Narcissistic Spending
Many scammers are motivated by self-aggrandizement and believe they can outsmart their victims consistently. When they manage to secure a significant amount of money, their first instinct is often to indulge in luxury items. They buy laptops, gold jewelry, girls, high-end phones, and prestigious clothing. For these, the ill-gotten gains are just the start of their spending spree, with expensive cars following suit.
Helping the Family and Entering Business
A few scammers, demonstrating more responsible behavior, choose to help their parents or opt for entrepreneurship. This option offers them a path to financial independence, even if it means setting aside their shady past.
Dark Side of Scam Money
In a darker light, some scammers misuse their money, spending it on drugs or on juju rituals, which they believe will guarantee future success. Unfortunately, this spending often leaves them broke and in debt, leading to addiction problems. Those who spend too freely or flaunt their newfound wealth risk being targeted by the Nigerian police, who can often spot them by their extravagant purchases. However, these police rarely arrest them; instead, they seek a bribe to look the other way.
As a former 'researcher' with a 'relationship' with 72 scammers, three of whom are now my consultants, I can confirm that the dark side of scam money is only beginning to emerge. Scammers are truly motivated by a misplaced sense of entitlement, believing their actions will go unpunished and their wealth will always be secure. But like karma, what goes around comes around.