Sunday, July 25th, 2010
Issue: 38   Editor: Nyxxie


Scamming: The OC Scam Altro
Last reset scamming was legalised within Bootleggers as long as it did not infringe on other aspects of the terms of service, for example, hacking or impersonations. Despite its legalisation, many players still see it as a dirty way of playing the game. However, in true mafia style, it could very well be seen as a purer form of game play. While scamming itself is not a coded feature of the game, it is now ingrained in to the Bootleggers culture. In this article we are going to teach you how to use the Organized Crime Scam, and likewise how you can avoid being scammed yourself.

The scam itself is fairly simple and can net the scammer up to several hundred thousand dollars if it works. To pull off this scam you must be at least of the rank Gangster, however, the higher the rank the more credibility you will have. You must also have at least $25,000. The idea is to start an organized crime, invite three members, who all accept and get ready. Once they are all ready the scammer will finalize the percentages giving himself the full 100% and commit the crime, hence stealing the profit and cost of equipment from the other members.

It is possible to do this scam in a team, for example one or two co-conspirators may also join and get ready before the percentages are finalized. This adds to the illusion of a trusted leader, convincing the other members (or marks) to do the same. However, the leader could simply pocket all the percentages ripping off his once co-plotters. As any of the targets can leave after they have got ready it is important for the scammer to commit the organized crime as soon as possible after finalizing the percentages.

There are several other versions of this scam. The scammer may also claim he accidentally finalized the percentages, giving himself everything, and that he will pay users back after the crime has been committed. He or she will, of course, not. The scammer may also tell users they will be given “a fair percentage” but once they are ready they will just give them half the normal rate. The reason for this is to try and avoid retaliations, by not specifying an amount beforehand and giving the user something, they may claim it was not a scam.

If however, you are worried about being hit by this scam, there are several things you can do to avoid being snared. For one, always agree a percentage with the leader before joining. Once you have joined, do not buy equipment or get ready before they have finalized the percentages. Some leaders may request you add the car before they will finalize, however, this could itself be a scam. Remember they can kick you at any time. So if they finalize the percentages on the agreement of you using a Police Car and you use a Phantom they can simply kick you. You, on the other hand, do not have the same protection, so demand they finalize before you buy your equipment if you are worried about losing it. By following those simple rules you should be able to avoid these scams. Remember scammers are clever, they will claim you are insulting them if you refuse to get ready, they may even threaten to kill you. Hold your ground and you should be fine.

If you are the scammer, remember there are risks, for one, your marks may come after you. Those harmless looking Scums may have a powerful backer, and it is quite possible for that few thousand you stole you will be taking a dirty nap. If you expect this to happen you might want to transfer your profits away to a friend, if you believe in honour among thieves, or you could use the Swiss bank. Several long term scammers die several times a week just building up money rather than ranking.

If you are scamming or trying to avoid being scammed, we wish you good luck and hope this article helped.