Talk:Scams

Assist System Scam?
I saw two players asking for teleport runes and someone with a high enough magic level to teleport them to varrock. The thing is that teleports can't be used with the Assist System, so it's either simply lack of knowledge or a new scam. Need more opinions. Sol Levante 15:16, 24 March 2008 (UTC)
 * Lack of knowledge. Where's the scamming part? -- 18:38, 25 March 2008 (UTC)
 * The players wanted someone to give them teleport runes. More likely a lack of knowledge, though. Sol Levante 05:59, 26 March 2008 (UTC)

\== The sub article unidentified herb scam needs deleting == This scam no longer applies because of the recent update that means all herbs are dirty or clean. i would do it myself but as i have only just become a member i cant.

Trimming Armour is not a quest reward, it is a reward from Treasure trails. ALso, YOU don't do it, Trimmed armor is a game item, that NO BODY can make.

Theres also a scam organzation that ive seen them meet where the in the palace A rock999 01:39, 18 April 2008 (UTC)

Bowstring Scam
I don't think this falls into any other categories already, but there is a scam where someone says "Selling 1k BS 160k!" Good deal, right? So you trade and they put out an awkward number of bowstrings just a little over 1k, like 1009, for example. Then, they lower the amount to 1000 properly, so that the red exclamation point comes up. You put down your money as they change the amount actually to 100. The exclamation point is already up, so you think nothing of it, and it's hard to see due to the exclamation point. I got scammed by it; it was quite idiotic of me not to check the verification screen, but the exclamation point still tends to block the amount. Tell me if I should add. 71.13.144.152 01:34, 12 November 2007 (UTC)

trade limits would make it less effective, but yeah, might as well add itPantheist87 19:39, 26 April 2009 (UTC)

Delete This Article
I think this article needs to be deleted. My reason for this is that it is highly possible that new players will see this page and its content and use the ideas here to cheat and scam in the game. Rather than having this article with all of these 'situations' that one may experience in the game, I think that this information should be moved to the 'Account Safety' article on the main page -- but without all of the "here's how this scam works" sort of content, but rather explain to new players ways to keep their passwords and items safe, ie: don't type your password in game or anywhere else except for when logging into your account & do not drop items unless you are discarding them etc. Ideas, thoughts and suggestions? JodoKast 02:55, 13 Dec 2005 (UTC)
 * It would be nice if you could avoid scams by simply not dropping things and typing your password, but it's not. As more and more people are catching on to scams, scammers make more and more intricate tricks. As I earlier said, scammers will scam no matter what. This guide could serve as an invaluable tool for helping new players to avoid these dishonest players. MJMyers2 21:42, 28 August 2006 (UTC)

This article could encouage others to replicate these acts. I think the fact it is actually called "cheats and scams" makes it worse as it seems to imply "Looking for a cheat or scam? come look here" I think it would be better though if it was just re-named "Account Security" A happybunny 11:53, 19 October 2006 (GMT)
 * I agree, the current title is too dangerous. Look to the right - it's in the top content section. Account Security would be a good name. --78.56.93.44 15:48, 8 November 2007 (UTC)

The Article Title maybe a bit dangerous but it's also pretty nieve to think that not talking about scams or cheats is going to get rid of it. I agree with changing the title but not the content. If a scam's blueprint is widely known no one is going to fall for it. The best solution for this problem is to talk about it MORE.

I fell for a variation of the dragonstone tokkul scam, I knew not to buy the fire runes, but now I'm stuck with a bunch of tokkul. If I had read this first I would have known better. defiantly keep it. Pantheist87 19:41, 26 April 2009 (UTC)

Free Gem Cutting Underestimated
I've had people cut my gems for free several times, all without any theft. It increases the value of the gem greatly. It's still a risk worth cautioning new players about, but free gem cutting is often a harmless exchange benefiting both the cutter and the owner of the gem.
 * I agree with you. Free Gem Cutting is not the scam that it is often made out to be. While there's not a section in the article about gem cutting specifically, gem cutting is covered under the "trust trade" section. MJMyers2 21:44, 28 August 2006 (UTC)
 * I would never let anyone cut my gems. One:  It decreases the value of the gem because less crafting xp can be derived from it.  Two:  I can cut all my gems anyway.  Three:  I want the crafting xp for myself. Mathwhiz90601 22:40, 15 May 2007 (UTC)

I cut my own gems, but if you're going to have them cut for you, find someone a higher level. They are usually more trustworthy. Not always, so don't go trusting every high level player.Mukamokawar 05:27, 19 May 2007 (UTC)Muka

You should add that you should ask for them to trade you a cut gem for the uncut gem because then you are assured that they will not just take it. Sleepydragn1 21:22, 24 June 2007 (UTC)

What Is This?
Is this meant to be a guide to tell people how to cheat/scam?Shadowdancer 19:48, 20 July 2006 (UTC)
 * This is NOT a "how-to scam" guide as you make it out to be. This is a guide to all the popular scams and tricks that are used by dishonest players. It serves as a warning to new players and give tips on how to avoid them. These scams have been bubbling along for years without this guide. Players who intend to scam will scam with or without this guide. Perhaps this guide will give the would-be scammer a new idea, but removing it would make it so that new players would more easily fall for them. Removing this article is not, in my opinon, worth the trade-off. MJMyers2 21:39, 28 August 2006 (UTC)
 * In the forums, one may find a f-mod post stating: "Scam prevention guides are allowed as long as you do not introduce ANY examples of scamming or have no malicious intent to scam. They can be useful for those who were constantly scammed or are very cautious." (QFC: 14-15-282-58032265, pg 2) Would that not mean that, by providing specific examples of scams, this page breaks those rules? Mjc3 21:36, 7 December 2008 (UTC)

I'm against deleting this
The purpose of the article is to keep the reader from falling for these things.

--Wowbagger421 21:48, 20 July 2006 (UTC)
 * Oh come on. By even having this you're attracting would-be scammers and cheaters like flies to honey.  Is this what we want? Shadowdancer 15:07, 27 July 2006 (UTC)


 * I've had only the briefest of glances, but these scams look like they could all be thought up by a six-year-old...and probably have. I'm frankly shocked anyone is stupid enough to fall for them. Nevertheless...I agree with Shadowdancer. We should delete this. It's against the RuneScape rules to talk about scams, for the obvious reason of people getting ideas; I don't think they will, but it can't hurt to delete this section. Exactly who would it benefit? My main argument is basically this...If someone is intelligent enough to actively try to look for "cheats and scams" in order to avoid them, they won't be stupid enough to fall for any of the ones here. Therefore, this section benefits absolutely no-one. 80.3.96.42 15:37, 27 July 2006 (UTC)


 * I fell for a scam, but I was intelligent enough to click here. Some of these, sure, are common sense, but spreading knowledge and awareness of these acts can only benefit us. The more people know, the more likely it is that the scam will fail, and the more likely Jagex will do something about it--make an update like the exclamation point update, for example. 71.13.144.152 01:38, 12 November 2007 (UTC)


 * I say the name should be changed to Anti-Hack and Scam Guide, so as not to delude people for thinking that is a guide actually telling you how to cheat at the game.--Death motor 18:11, 1 August 2006 (UTC)
 * I agree. This is a valuable page, but the name has the potential to confuse.  Anti-Hack and Scam Guide is definitely clearer.  By the way, it's not against the RuneScape rules to talk about scams, just as long as you don't encourage people to commit them.  Eruan 15:41, 31 August 2006 (UTC)

I agree with Wowbanger--Imagine Wizard 19:33, 21 August 2006 (UTC)
 * I agree with Imagine Wizard about agreeing with Wowbagger. These scams have been around without this guide, and will be without this guide. Deleting this would be succoming to the "if we don't talk about it, it might go away" mentallity. Jagex's unwillingness to talk about theses scams and tricks is, I belive, part of the reason that scamming is such a problem in RuneScape. If Jagex made a page that listed all these scams, and told all players to read it, then I think scamming would decline a lot. This article should be kept, but perhaps Death is right when he says the name should be changed to something more true to it's intent. MJMyers2 21:50, 28 August 2006 (UTC)
 * Im not sure if i got the indentation right, but I am against deleting this page (it could use some revision though).

I am also against this. Because I read this yesterday, I reported a scammer today (Armor trimming scam). This page helps people be aware of what scams are commonly used so they don't fall for them. I also disagree with the user that stated "If someone is intelligent enough to actively try to look for "cheats and scams" in order to avoid them, they won't be stupid enough to fall for any of the ones here." I read this article when I came across it while mining coal. I don't think people may come looking for it, but if it catches their eye while on here they may read it and learn to avoid scams. Maybe we should even put a link to this on the main page to attract more attention. Mr.hotkeys 23:07, 28 August 2006 (UTC)

I'm against this because I think even though they are all stupid scams people fall for them. I don't know why they fall for obvious scams but they do. So thats why we need this guide. Anyways scammers would figure these scams by them selfs. Also: Talking about scams isn't illegal. It's illegal if you say "Hey wanna learn how to scam?" but not to try to prevent them. If it was a lot of accounts would be banned because of them saying "i got item scammed! This guy switched out the diamond for a opal when i wasn't looking" or something like that. Sleepydragn1 21:27, 24 June 2007 (UTC)

I'm a little insulted that you say someone would have to be an idiot to fall for one of these- I'm a med student and I think I'm pretty bright, but I have fallen for the dragonstone/tokuul scam. keep it up. Pantheist87 19:46, 26 April 2009 (UTC)

complete rewrite
I've completely rewritten this guide. Please let me know what you think! --Ixfd64 00:02, 21 February 2007 (UTC)
 * Well done! But this is one of three articles I never check the edits of; the other two being Money Making Guide and....can't remember the other one. JalYt-Xil-Vimescarrot  08:01, 21 February 2007 (UTC)

Just rename the article
Why not give the article a more fitting name, such as "Cheat and scam prevention"? 21:10, 22 February 2007 (UTC)

I doubt this
"RuneScape Classic needle scam

In RuneScape Classic, some scammers have been known to offer 10 million gp for items. Upon trading, the scammer will actually offer 1 million gp and a needle. On the RuneScape Classic trading screen, this would look like 10,000,001 gp.

Suggested action: Report the player for item scamming. "

Really? This doesn't make any sense at all to me. --Wowbagger421 22:42, 5 March 2007 (UTC)

Well I've never heard of that scam before either (but I don't play RSC) and it does sound a bit fake to me. If someone could get some evidence to show that it can be done that would be great (a picture or video on youtube or google videos). Sleepydragn1 21:31, 24 June 2007 (UTC)

It is not fake, in RSC, when you traded it was a semi-transparent background and showed the exact amound it didn't shorten it. e.g. RS2: You put up 147,534 gp it says 100k. RSC it says 147534. And, you can hardly see needles and the 1 million gp goes into the box with a needle. EXAMPLE (ITALICS ARE NEEDLE AMOUNT): 14674941 Now, since that crossed over to the almost invisible needle, you'd think that was 14,674,941 gp. When it really is 1,467,494 gp and 1 needle. 63.3.16.2 00:13, 24 February 2008 (UTC)

Privacy?
I sure hope we aren't using real usernames for our examples. I don't think it is very ethical? If we are.. I BELIEVE we should change them. I think the "usernames" should be User A, User B, etc. --PikachuMayhem 16:56, 2 June 2007 (UTC)

Well I think we should use the real usernames for the impersonation section to show good examples and if the person that owns the account (we would have to need proof to show ownership) requests that the name should be taken of then we will. Sleepydragn1 21:35, 24 June 2007 (UTC)

P-hat glitch
Jagex didn't give the guy lifetime membership, they banned him permanently xD Total Rune 08:54, 5 April 2007 (UTC)
 * You could argue that they did both :P 24.66.94.144 03:47, 28 November 2007 (UTC)

Helped Prevent A Lower Level Member From Getting Scammed
I was picking flax (as usual) and I happened to walk into Seers bank and I seen someone say "Proboscis? Whats that?". So I added him to friends, explained what a proboscis is, how it has no current uses and is practically worthless. He told me "The guy got one of his buddies to PM me and say he was gonna buy it for 1.45mil". Turns out the scammer was trying to trade 1 Proboscis for the guys Dragon Medium Helm. With my help the player reported the scammer and kept his D-med. Then he said he was gonna low alch the D-med, (he said he paid 410k for it and with alching was gonna get all 410k back). I advised him not to alch but instead sell for 450k and make a 40k profit, which he did and thanked me afterwards. I feel good :) 10:43, 5 April 2007 (UTC)
 * I'm just going to give you a thank you for helping a newb, so, "thank you." 02:51, 10 April 2007 (UTC)

Thats all great and such but...what does that have to do with this article? Sleepydragn1 21:32, 24 June 2007 (UTC)

What it has to do with this article is that there was CHEATING involved P.S. Noob isn't polite even if it's spelled wrong

Proposal for adding a section "do's and don'ts to avoid getting scammed"
I propose adding a section to this article "do's and don'ts to avoid getting scammed" to help players from being victimized. The section will be long but it may be worthwhile. What is your stand? --Fatman4ever 05:38, 19 May 2007 (UTC)

There are some avoiding tips in every section, I'm pretty sure.Mukamokawar 01:29, 21 May 2007 (UTC)Muka

Dark Wiki
Shouldn't there be a link to the Dark Wiki at the top of this article? Knightgod444
 * Yeah, there should be! 02:15, 6 June 2007 (UTC)

Dark Wiki? From:Ovalusc: Noob in training

typing/saying Noob still isn't nice!

"rare items"
can somebody put monkey bones as one of the fake rare items in the rare items part part? A friend of mine used to sell monkey bones to low leveled free players for 3k each. In actuality, they are the same as normal bones.


 * They aren't the same as normal bones. Monkey bones give 0.5 more exp and that does make a little difference. Oh, and please sign your posts. Emosworld 09:45, 1 September 2007 (UTC)

0.5 exp more? Big Whoop!

they're also needed for monkey madness and by the time you get to that point of the quest getting a bow and arrow to hunt down a monkey is just a pain..Pantheist87 19:51, 26 April 2009 (UTC)

Change of title
Should we change the name of Cheats and scams to Cheats and Scams? I don't want to change it without the approval. 09:43, 1 September 2007 (UTC)
 * Eh, I don't really care. 10:17, 1 September 2007 (UTC)

How is that even relevant?

...wow...

Please remove
#Dungeon death scam (also known as luring). It is redundant with "#Dangerous action scam (also known as luring)". --211.28.153.91 11:50, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

Contacting Jagex
It says on this page that you can contact Jagex via customer support. I've been looking for the page on the main site, but can't find it. When I went to the customer support page, all it was was Q/A's on different topics (the "contact us" page also only contained unhelpful questions). Can someone tell me how to contact them via customer support, and post a link to it? --211.28.153.91 11:54, 10 September 2007 (UTC)
 * The only way to contact them is your mentioned "unhelpful questions". Simply use the "Other" question, you can quickly access this by clicking on "Comment on our service" link. And it's better to be a member to get a reply. --78.56.93.44 15:43, 8 November 2007 (UTC)

In addition to Item Scamming
Since you can no longer remove items without the large Exclamation Points coming up, there's a new scam. The person offers an amazing price for an item he has, or visa versa. Then, they accept to the second screen. Next, the player pretends to lag and decline the trade. When they trade you back, they add a similar looking item, and hope you accept fast enough with your original offer, and you get junk.

example:

Scammer: Selling obsidian cape 100k

Sending trade offer...


 * you put up 100k
 * scammer puts up Obsidian Cape
 * scammer accepts, then declines some time after

Other player has declined the trade.

Scammer: Sorry, I lagged.

You: No problem, trade again.

Sending trade offer...


 * you put up 100k again
 * scammer puts up black cape
 * you accept twice quickly, so nobody else will get this amazing deal, because you almost lost it once.

He ends up with your money, and you end up with a worthless cape.

Simiswimm 15:47, 23 October 2007 (UTC)

That's a good idea, but have you seen it used before? You probably only add it if you did. This page is for avoiding item scamming, not to give scammers good ideas. 15:05, 24 December 2007 (UTC)

This is already on the main page

Is selling something more then its worth a scam?
Because I sold a strengh potion for 5k, when it was worth 1k, is this a scam? I belive its not as the buyer should know the price something will go for before they buy it, and I didnt know how much its worth. But since str potions are VERY VERY useful if Free worlds. it can go for more then in mem worlds.
 * No, it is never scamming something for selling it for a lot, unless you say something like "selling super rare raw chicken 100m", which is scamming by deceiving another to think it's rare, when it wouldn't be. 02:29, 29 October 2007 (UTC)

fun fight scam
is this really a scam? i fail to see how it is one. Isn't it the same as asking for a duel in wildy? you both get skulled, one dies other one wins, gets what you drop, doesn't matter if they do kill you with ice barrage, this is just a duel surely? (wildy duels are for real of course so you expect to lose items if you die)

Armour upgrading and Player impersonation scam
"Armour trimming and "upgrading"" needs some editing as it actually is possible to upgrade any Dragonhide Vambraces to Spiky Vambraces on a Members world. And in many places, the new Assist system is not mentioned, like " Player impersonation scam" - it makes it obsolete now. --78.56.93.44 15:32, 8 November 2007 (UTC)

whip in wilderness scam
a player says that he is making a movie and want you to play in it you have to die with your whip in the movie, he will pay you with 600k... then he will start kiling you en when you have 10 hp you will see 4 noted dragon battle axes lying on the grond you pick them up and he will kill you now you will lose your whip because the shop price of a b-axe is higher then the shop price of a whip  user:Tdrone
 * Um...that's too complicated to be on the actual page...also, WHAT do you mean by "it ARE 4 b-axes"?

is it better and more clear this way?

Tribesman Lure
This lure is usually performed on new members with a low to medium combat rating. A lurer, Player A will ask Player B to help him obtain a 'quest item' or similar, by attacking the tribesman, resulting in Player B becoming poisoned and usually dying due to a lack of a anti-poison potion or super anti-poison, food or method of teleportation. Home teleport, will not work, as the poison affect interrupts it.

This lure doesn't happen that often, but one thats certainly worth being aware of. Giant torti 00:27, 28 November 2007 (UTC)
 * Home teleport did work the last time I tried (the delay between 2 poison effects is just long enough to allow casting the spell). Anyway, with the Dec 10 updates, I think this scam is over. 10:08, 25 December 2007 (UTC)

New Scam I have seen in the streets a new scam in the gran exchange it goes like this "will open any armour sets" please add this Yushaw13 00:45, 29 November 2007 (UTC)

Team Scamming
I almost got scammed by this once. One person says he/she will sell you something for some price (that it isn't), and some other person PM's you saying he/she will buy that item for even more than you're buying it for.

Ex., Bob wants to sell me a turtle shell for 2m. Sally PM's me saying she will buy a turtle shell for 5m and a whip. So I'm thinking, thats a great deal! After I buy it, I find out that she didn't really want to buy it.

I just told the person that PMed me wanting to buy it no, but ex. Bob is selling it for 2m. I think you should add this? :) Flashwarior 01:21, 23 December 2007 (UTC)
 * It's already in the article ;) (see Arbitrage scam) 10:03, 25 December 2007 (UTC)

I once saw one of those scams, was something like this: Player 1: Awesome Whip and Mask! Player A: Thx Player 1: I wanna buy them Player A: Offer Player 1: Umm.. zerker ring Player 2: Buying zerker ring 40M! Player A: Ok

Then what happens is this: player A buys the zerker ring for a h'ween mask and whip. then he goes over to player 2 and trades to sell the zerker ring. but then he finds out it's a scam. in f2p worlds, they would do these scams with member's items such as polished buttons or charcoal. Once i had charcoal and this guy realy believed that it was worth 30K or something. SO i bought his 27K b sale and sold more charcoal.. =) noobs

NOOBS IS STILL IMPOLITE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

90 Blackmarks?
What's the point of putting 90 blackmarks on bots' and macroers' accounts if you only need to be blackmarked 10 times to be permanently banned? 04:40, 23 December 2007 (UTC)
 * I dunno. Harder to appeal I guess? -- 11:39, 23 December 2007 (UTC)
 * What, so if you get 4 blackmarks, all for the same crime, you have to appeal every one of them anyways? 15:00, 24 December 2007 (UTC)
 * I don't know. I don't make the rules. -- 09:54, 25 December 2007 (UTC)
 * Maybe they want to prove their point.99.237.222.73 18:56, 23 May 2009 (UTC)

Neutral Point Of View (NPOV)
I just made this page into an npov page because of the recent arguments and baffling. One side wants it deleted, another wants the title to be changed. It's just so annoying!!! 14:55, 16 March 2008 (UTC)

Abyssal Whip Scam Still Effective?
I had an abyssal whip and some guy told me to enter the wilderness with just the whip. He got me down to 5 hp then traded me about 4 dbaxes and a reward for "helping" him. He then proceded to kill me and when i respawned i had 3 dbaxes but no whip. Could this happen in bounty hunter and could it still happen even with all of the new updates? Should you add something about this? Just like the guy above me said but you should add this!
 * It can't happen in Bounty Hunter, since you can only bring one weapon into the arena, and there's nowhere else where you can get a dead person's drops. -- 18:03, 10 May 2008 (UTC)

No this can't happen anymore, drummer is right, but I did know two people who did this in a team, they happen two be my two best rs friends from over 4 yrs of play, unfortunately one quit, and the other one is black marked to the eyeballs, (mostly swearing) (other offence was web advertising, he said a site name, he has never been caught for scamming or luring suprisingly) anyway, they both used to take 4 dbaxe's to the green dragon's and offer them to some noob or other, who would accept and die dropping his whip and i think one dbaxe (it depended what they were wearing) anyways they got 16 whips using this method, but then people got clued up and it kinda dropped off, one of the dbaxe's used belonged to me come to think of it. Just thought I would add this little anecdote, ps I did not profit from this, I just got my dbax'e back, I didn't want anything although I was offered a cut. 10:30, 13 May 2008 (UTC)

Gnomeball Lure
A very odd scam I heard of. Player A, skulled, walks into the wilderness with a party hat. He has Protect Item on. Player B throws a Gnomeball at Player A, which ends up in his inventory, and then kills him. Because a Gnomeball is worth more in the store, it will be kept instead of the party hat.

YOU CAN KILL PEOPLE IN THE WILDERNESS???!!!!

This entire article is pretty much pointless, almost all the scams listed on the page have been impossible for the greater part of a year.

if anyone can edit pages......add this type of scam into it.....a person tells u to buy like 40 drag stones from ge then tells u to go to the obby place he tells u to sell the d stones to the gem store says u'll make profit.....while in reality al u get is bs from seeling it and then u see that the gems arent in the store and see that he bought em for a cheap price which then he sells back to ge

Complete overhaul/deletion
This entire article is pointless, and has been for well over a year. Can we please delete it? Axazar 11:00, 13 February 2009 (UTC)


 * I believe it exists for historical purposes. Also, some things can still be done, such as password scams and PVP luring. Some things have been rendered obsolete due to the trade and wilderness updates, but again, these are still here for historical purposes. 11:31, 15 February 2009 (UTC)

I suggest that all of the no longer possible scams be moved to a new article, and this one be devoted to one that still matter --Template:Signatures/ma44040 23:25, 16 February 2009 (UTC)

I agree - archive old scams so players can actually see what may be a problem for them! --Goodison Goomba 19:42, 26 April 2009 (UTC)

I say keep em all. never know when a 'new' scam will come along that is just a variation of something old. `Pantheist87

Keep them, but the article does need a bit of a cleanup, I'll admit. The1AndOnlyMike 21:09, 11 May 2009 (UTC)