Straightbaiting
I'm paring down my baits to a manageable number. Several of my characters now have auto-responses stating they are travelling across the world or otherwise extremely busy. This has already caused some lads much frustration. A few lads are waiting for me to correct WU payment details I sent on Monday, one claims he is stuck in the Miami airport waiting for me to rescue him, and several have not heard from me since Mr. Smith George got in touch with me. One lad has called and emailed at least five times today screaming that he needs to get in touch with me.
I'm putting most of my attention now on a handful of minimalistic straightbaits with a new character. My goal is to use no technical modalities at all. No phone calls made or received, not a single document handed over. The average time between a letter and response will be over one day. I will delay them as long as possible using only my ability to lie. Only after I've managed this for a few months, will I start using GV and other modalities again.
Since this is straightbaiting at its purest, I think I will forego real-time updates via forwarding. I'll try to collate the threads once a week and then post them with notes on my tactics.
Straightbaiting is the essence of scambaiting, but it is a prolonged amusement. A good straightbait should be extremely fun in entirety, even though any specific part is not as fun as, say, demanding a video of lads reenacting a Seinfeld episode. Think the Pickwick Papers versus a Carlin routine.
On the 419eater forums, there is a philosophy that derides newbies who ask everyone for technical help. "You want me to help you mock up a receipt? Why are you giving him a receipt? Why are you doing what the lad is telling you to do? Who is in control here?"
This makes sense. Every time you comply with the scammer, you should be a mite ashamed. Think of what total compliance would mean: actually sending money out. This is a spectrum, not a binary thing. Each time you carry out his will, you are moving that much closer to being a victim rather than a conniving evil genius. Each blurry scan is a sign that you didn't put up enough of a struggle. Of course, some compromise is going to happen. He may be making every sign of dropping you unless he gets the Magic Document. Think long and hard, though, if sending this document is actually necessary.
I now think that the only good time to use some technical trick is when you are certain that he will not do your wishes without it. If your goal is to waste his time and get lots of laughs, then waste his time. If your goal is to get him to tattoo "I suck dick" on himself, etc, then you may have to use artificial means to increase his greed and commitment to your character.
Basically, these technical tricks ought to be the last resort in a straightbait, or an essential element of the plot in a trophy bait.
