Real scam scripts, annotated

“I am a drilling contractor stationed on an offshore platform in the North Sea. I am widowed with a 10-year-old daughter in boarding school. Life out here is lonely until I found you.”

“Greetings ma'am. I am Col. Dr. James Miller (fictional persona; scammers typically steal names and photos from real service members), an orthopedic trauma surgeon assigned to a UN Peacekeeping mission in Aleppo, Syria. I lost my wife to cancer three years ago.”

“Hi David, are we still playing golf this Sunday? Oh sorry, my assistant must have typed the wrong number. You seem very polite though, I am Jessica from Singapore.”

“Hey babe, I want to come over and spend the night with you so badly! But my tank is empty and my payday isn't until Friday. Can you Cash App me $40 for gas?”