Meet Kitboga: The Scam Baiter Fighting Cybercrime One Call at a Time

When you think of a scammer, you probably picture someone trying to deceive others for personal gain. While that’s usually true, there's another type of individual worth mentioning: those who scam the scammers. Enter Kitboga, a content creator and self-described "scam baiter" who has made it his mission to turn the tables on these cybercriminals.

The Origin of Kitboga’s Mission

Kitboga's story begins in 2017 when he discovered the extent of online scams and the chatbot tools designed to waste telemarketers' time. Concerned for his grandparents, who were particularly vulnerable due to their age and health, Kit—a former computer software engineer—decided to take action.

Initially, Kit started his scam-baiting activities on his own, but with encouragement from friends, he took his talents to Twitch, where he now livestreams his efforts to an ever-growing audience. On Twitch, Kitboga adopts various personas, such as “Edna” or “Daniel,” to engage scammers and keep them occupied, thereby reducing their chances of successfully scamming others.

Kitboga's Strategy: Waste Their Time

Kitboga’s primary tactic is straightforward: the more time a scammer spends dealing with one of his fake personas, the less time they have to target real victims. His streams not only entertain but also serve to educate his audience about how these scams operate. In some cases, Kit even collects enough information to report these criminals to authorities, although agencies like the FBI and Secret Service have not confirmed any official collaboration with him.

The Impact of Kitboga’s Work

Throughout his streams, Kitboga has exposed the workings of various scams, including tech support fraud, gift card scams, and even the increasingly common "pig butchering" scams. His efforts have grown to the point where he now has a small team assisting him. His audience often shares feedback, expressing how his videos have helped them recognize and avoid scams in their own lives.

Kitboga has also developed an AI-powered "honeypot" to trap scammers in endless loops of verification requests, wasting even more of their time. Additionally, he’s released scam protection software called Seraph Secure to help individuals protect themselves from scammers—though it’s primarily designed for personal rather than business use.

For a deeper dive into this world, WBUR—Boston’s NPR station—conducted an intriguing interview with Kitboga and another scam baiter, Jim Browning. The conversation sheds light on their motivations and experiences, though be aware that it includes some explicit language.

A Word of Caution: Don’t Try This at Home

While Kitboga’s work is both entertaining and informative, it’s important to remember that scam baiting can be risky. Some individuals who attempt it can cross legal lines, leading to fines or other issues. Moreover, engaging with scammers can be dangerous, especially if the scammer is highly skilled.

Instead of taking matters into your own hands, here are four tips to help you avoid scams:

Four Tips to Help You Avoid Scams

1. Keep a Cool Head: Scammers often use fear tactics to create a sense of urgency and panic. If you receive a message making a frightening claim—like owing a large sum in taxes or having compromising information about you—pause and think before reacting.
2. Avoid Cryptocurrency Transactions: Whenever possible, use a credit card for online payments. Credit card transactions can be canceled in cases of fraud, offering an added layer of protection.
3. Don’t Send Money to Strangers: If someone you don’t know requests money or personal information, decline. Scammers often pose as trustworthy individuals or institutions to gain your trust.
4. Don’t Call Back Immediately: If you’re prompted to contact someone by a message or email, don’t use the provided contact details. Instead, verify the legitimacy by contacting the organization through official channels listed on their website.

We’re Here to Help

While Kitboga’s software, Seraph Secure, is a great tool for individuals, businesses require more robust protection. At InTegriLogic Corp., we offer a range of trusted tools and services to safeguard your business against cyber threats. Call us at 520-545-0691 to learn how we can help secure your operations.