Almost got scammed for Judy! (And what were the red flags)

[fallenchaoskitten]

I've never checked but is there a way to tell if there are other people on the island? In case someone leads me to believe it's just us two?

If you press the "-" you should be able to see everyone's passports that is on the island

 

[Munyo]

Oof, I misread your thread title and thought you got scammed! People from the ACNH discord are high levels of shady. Honestly, The Bell Tree Forums is like a ray of sun compared to that server. People here generally trust each other and are pretty generous with giveaways.

 

[Lavulin98]

sorry this happened. :/ from what it sounds like, judy may have not even been in boxes to begin with and they just straight up lied about it - you handled it well, i would've done the same thing had i realized it was a scam. i say next time you should ask for proof of judy in boxes with the player saying their username in the picture beside her or something, that's what i'd do anyway

they did sent me a photo with Judy in boxes and their discord id! thats why I was so shocked why they are doing this! they indeed had Judy in boxes. but if this was a true trade, the second time his friend wouldn't have came back, or in the first time, the friend would have waited until I spoke to Judy to leave, since I told him to wait.

 

[mystery]

While it’s definitely good information to know I am slightly alarmed to the fact people could use this information to try it themselves perhaps even outside of this forum. As such I always feel as though telling people of potential scams can unwittingly teach people how to do it. That being said the trick you used to counter it is good advice and if people wanted to they will always find ways to scam.

did you verify first that judy was In boxes?

 

[fallenchaoskitten]

I'm new to AC, just so I know if it happens... what's the best way to stop a scammer. Power down the Switch?

Hit the home button then close the software. But do like OP! Before you do this, open your inventory. That way no one can come or go from the island (and force a save) while you are frantically trying to close the game in time.

 

[Lavulin98]

While it’s definitely good information to know I am slightly alarmed to the fact people could use this information to try it themselves perhaps even outside of this forum. As such I always feel as though telling people of potential scams can unwittingly teach people how to do it. That being said the trick you used to counter it is good advice and if people wanted to they will always find ways to scam.

did you verify first that judy was In boxes?

the etiquette of trading is to leave the money first and then go to collect the villager. I checked the map, Judy was on the island, it looked like a new island with only a few plots set. and I received photo confirmation of her being in the boxes before I did the trade! So I really was excited for this to get Judy for cheap.

 

[mystery]

the etiquette of trading is to leave the money first and then go to collect the villager. I checked the map, Judy was on the island, it looked like a new island with only a few plots set. and I received photo confirmation of her being in the boxes before I did the trade! So I really was excited for this to get Judy for cheap.

Hopefully they come out with an amibo for the new villagers either way I hope you get them soon!

 

[Lellyna]

Yea something fishy his friend didn’t need to be there and discord I personally never traded items on there

 

[Dewy]

I hope you get her soon! People like that are jerks

 

[sleepydreepy]

Ooof thats rough, so glad you didn't end up losing items/money! Let me know if you are still looking for Judy, I have her and I am not looking for a super high price! <3

 

[Shyria]

I just have one question, why did you say that if his friend left you would have been disconnected? Were you having a bad feeling or is this a thing?
I mean I have a watering group and sometimes we each leave one after another and it doesn't disconnect the other players?
If I had been in your situation, I probably wouldn't have suspected anything... (Except that the trader was silly for having a friend over that had to leave in the middle of a trade haha)

 

[dragonair]

It is so annoying that people are now trying to get around the one thing that we can do to avoid being scammed. It doesn't surprise me one bit but it's still infuriating.

 

[Lavulin98]

I just have one question, why did you say that if his friend left you would have been disconnected? Were you having a bad feeling or is this a thing?
I mean I have a watering group and sometimes we each leave one after another and it doesn't disconnect the other players?
If I had been in your situation, I probably wouldn't have suspected anything... (Except that the trader was silly for having a friend over that had to leave in the middle of a trade haha)

his friend left so he could save the game! otherwise the game doesn't save when online with someone only very rarely. after the game was saved, the items were on the ground. the host could do whatever he wanted, including to disconnect the game, send me home with my pockets empty. its about trust.

 

[Saturniidae]

If i ever get judy you can have her for free. i promise you that.
i dont understand the point of all this.
its really sad

 

[Shyria]

Oh fair enough! So it's not that it would disconnect you but that you knew that after that the game would be saved so you'd be in an uncomfortable position if anything were to happen?
I'm glad you're making this thread then because I've personally only done the other way around (selling villagers to people on discord) so I can't really get scammed. Worst come to worst my villager is going to someone's town for free, but at least I'm not losing money on my end...
But again, I would not have been suspicious in your situation. I don't think it would have clicked that once his friend left, he could just save the game and enjoy my money haha

It's a good thing you were cautious... Sorry about Judy though... Hopefully you find her soon!!

 

[Miss Misty]

While it’s definitely good information to know I am slightly alarmed to the fact people could use this information to try it themselves perhaps even outside of this forum. As such I always feel as though telling people of potential scams can unwittingly teach people how to do it. That being said the trick you used to counter it is good advice and if people wanted to they will always find ways to scam.

Without talking about scams we wouldn't know how to counteract them, so it's a catch-22. Yes, the minority of bad actors may use this information to their advantage but hopefully the majority of honest players can use OP's strategy to protect themselves.

 

[Lavulin98]

Without talking about scams we wouldn't know how to counteract them, so it's a catch-22. Yes, the minority of bad actors may use this information to their advantage but hopefully the majority of honest players can use OP's strategy to protect themselves.

I learnt everything about preventing scams from this document!

Avoiding Animal Crossing Scams and How to Properly Report A Scammer

Avoiding Animal Crossing Trades, Tips to Avoid Scams, and How to Report Scammers What does a scam look like? How can I avoid being scammed? Use our public blacklist. Check your potential trader’s profile. Search your potential trader through the discord. General Tips How to fence off your dock...

docs.google.com

 

[Delphine]

Wow that's so elaborate I'm chocked...
Thanks for sharing and hope you find Judy very soon from an honest person!

 

[JKDOS]

I'm new to AC, just so I know if it happens... what's the best way to stop a scammer. Power down the Switch?

Just hit the home button, and then on the home screen, hit "x" to close software, or you can put the Switch into sleep mode. If in handhand mode, you can also long press the home button to access Airplane mode. Whichever is faster for you.

 

[Wotamin]

This was an insane read omg. I can't believe people would do that. I really hope you are able to get Judy soon, nobody should have to go through what you did for a villager.