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Scams and fraud

Strange personal messages

(96 Posts)

GNHQ have commented on this thread. Read here.

Wheniwasyourage Thu 08-Oct-26 09:45:51

After posting on a thread, I got a cheerful-sounding PM from someone commenting favourably on what I had said and asking some fairly reasonable questions. We had a few messages backwards and forwards, but it occurred to me that all the questions were based on bouncing back what I had said, and that the poster didn't come up with any original ideas. Also, there was no first name at the end of the messages, which I (perhaps wrongly) regarded as etiquette for PMs.

Anyway, I was pretty sure that it was a bot, and I know that I am not the only person to have had PMs from that "person". Apparently the name is now classed as a "former user", so perhaps someone has already reported it.

We all need to think about PMs from unfamiliar names - are they looking for information or am I paranoid?...

Marydoll Sun 18-Oct-26 08:19:59

Reel you in!

I have not woken up properly yet.

BlueBelle Sun 18-Oct-26 08:26:05

There’s another thread all about Chestersmiles from San Francisco
I too got a message but unlike most on here who see him as a man, I immediately thought it was a woman, as it was a gentle message, commenting on a post I had put in the funeral thread a week or two ago. I was going to answer as it was very innocuous but decided to look her up first and as nothing much came up, I didn’t go any further as I presumed she was a bot
However if I had replied I would have only talked in general I do try to be mindful I often change a daughter into an aunt or a son into a granddaughter, in things I post.
I do think the good morning thread is the one that gives most away, from areas where people live to what their hobbies are, what family they have hobbies etc and where they are going for the day. If they are staying in or going to be out
I remember one lady, no longer on, who used to talk about her house and area which wouldn’t be hard to whittle down I don’t think.
We’ve all got to be mindful
Do you remember the new poster who put photos of her grandson up and instead of being grateful for being warned to take them down, was quite adamant they were fine

kittylester Sun 18-Oct-26 08:27:08

I've had 3 altogether. I replied in a friendly way to the first.

The messages refer to my posts in a friendly way. It is odd that 'he' doesn't post on threads.

I haven't reported as there was nothing inherently worth reporting.

Has anyone reported this thread to bring ut to HQ's notice?

petra Sun 18-Oct-26 08:31:52

Pleasebenice

I got a message from Chestersmiles as well. If it is a scam, I can’t see what they are getting from it.

I’ll put it simply.
It starts off with PMs
Then they will get onto personal stuff like do you have animals, what kind. Then they will say oh I’d love to see some pics. Would you have any problem with sending me your email address
Gotcha.

Grandmabatty Sun 18-Oct-26 08:37:55

I have had 2 messages from him/her/it. The first one I deleted:the second I deleted and blocked. It's the lack of etiquette which alerted me. On a forum such as gransnet, the norm is to post publicly and only message directly if you know who you are talking to or have information which might be useful to someone. Chester is phishing

Esmay Sun 18-Oct-26 09:04:51

Chestersmiles will try to get you to divulge your email address -that's when alarm bells rang with me .
Be careful.

Visgir1 Sun 18-Oct-26 09:10:36

I have had two, one this morning. I just deleted them.
Interesting they are from San Francisco, the big Silicon Valley hub.

kittylester Sun 18-Oct-26 10:26:44

I've reported this thread.

pably15 Sun 18-Oct-26 11:04:09

I had a PM yesterday from Chestersmiles, after reading other posts about him or her...I deleted it without answering..

MayBee70 Sun 18-Oct-26 11:10:05

It creeps me out that whoever or whatever he or she is they pick up on something quite personal about you to try to engage. I don’t think that a person would have the time to read everyone’s posts in such detail. I don’t understand why HQ are not doing something about it. It’s very unsettling.

petra Sun 18-Oct-26 11:13:30

MayBee70

It creeps me out that whoever or whatever he or she is they pick up on something quite personal about you to try to engage. I don’t think that a person would have the time to read everyone’s posts in such detail. I don’t understand why HQ are not doing something about it. It’s very unsettling.

It told me that it liked a comment on a thread I hadn’t commented on.
It’s a BOT.

M0nica Sun 18-Oct-26 11:16:00

I've had another one from Chestersmiles. I have blocked him.

Marydoll Sun 18-Oct-26 16:05:37

petra

Pleasebenice

I got a message from Chestersmiles as well. If it is a scam, I can’t see what they are getting from it.

I’ll put it simply.
It starts off with PMs
Then they will get onto personal stuff like do you have animals, what kind. Then they will say oh I’d love to see some pics. Would you have any problem with sending me your email address
Gotcha.

Exactly!!!

CarolineGransnet (GNHQ) Sun 18-Oct-26 16:55:57

Hey folks

Just nipping on to let you know that we’ve erred on the side of caution and blocked that user's ability to post for now.

To echo what’s been said on the thread already, we’d always encourage everyone to take care about how much personal information they share online. If you feel uncomfortable, worried or unsure, please do report it to us and we are always happy to take a look. And you can block PMs if you feel more comfortable with that.

Plevey08 Sun 18-Oct-26 18:04:47

Me too. I had a message this morning from someone claiming to be Chesterfield from San Francisco. Commenting about a post . Will block and report.

Rocketstop2 Sun 18-Oct-26 18:07:31

Thanks GNHQ it was becoming uncomfortable for a lot of forum users.

Esmay Mon 19-Oct-26 10:30:35

I'm glad that Chestersmiles has been blocked.
If he or she was genuine -then I'm sorry .
But too many of us were feeling uncomfortable.
It's a sad reflection on the way that we are living these days.

Wheniwasyourage Mon 19-Oct-26 11:17:42

When I started this thread I said that I thought that the PM was from a bot, and nothing on the thread makes me change my mind. I'm glad GNHQ blocked it. Let's just keep our eyes open for the next one!

Charleygirl5 Mon 19-Oct-26 22:13:38

He has been in touch with so many he just can't be lonely. He was possibly getting friendly before he asked for money for his air fare.

There are few on GN he has missed.

Will he not be able to read this but not reply?

Cabbie21 Mon 19-Oct-26 22:31:05

Chestersmiles has to be a Bot. They cannot really have read so many posts and be able to pick up so many details from each of us without using algorithms/ AI or whatever.
I have blocked them.