“This is James from I.T.”: How One Scammer Tried to Hack the Night Shift—and Got Owned
If you’ve ever worked the graveyard shift at a hotel, you know the real action starts after midnight—not just with guests, but with the bizarre, the hilarious, and sometimes the downright sinister. Enter “James from I.T.,” a scammer with the confidence of a Bond villain and the tech skills of your cousin who once fixed your Wi-Fi by unplugging it and plugging it back in.
Picture this: It’s 2:00 AM. The lobby is quiet, the coffee’s lukewarm, and the phone rings. On the line is a man who claims to be from corporate I.T., mumbling about “critical updates” and “urgent ticket numbers.” He sounds official enough—until he asks you to install sketchy software from a website that probably gives your antivirus nightmares, or even worse, to process “test refunds” to mysterious credit cards. Red flags? You bet. But sometimes, even the pros get caught off guard.
Let’s break down this late-night cyber-caper and see what lessons we can all learn from the saga of “James from I.T.” (and, more importantly, how to waste a scammer’s time like a true pro).
The Night Shift: Where Scammers Think You're Sleepy
Night auditors are the unsung heroes of the hotel world, juggling everything from accounting to guest complaints—sometimes simultaneously and often while fending off the urge to nap under the check-in desk. Scammers like “James” think they can exploit the sleepy hours, banking on the idea that a tired worker might just follow instructions without thinking twice.
“James” had a script:
1. Introduce himself as the tech guy from Head Office.
2. Drop a random “IT Ticket Number” for legitimacy points.
3. Claim he needs you to install software for a “critical update.”
4. If that fails, try to get you to process big, fake “test refunds” to his credit cards.
Classic social engineering—prey on confusion, urgency, and a dash of corporate intimidation. The twist? The hotel chain’s I.T. systems require admin access for software installation, so workers can’t just click “yes” on random downloads (good policy, folks!). That tripped up “James” right away.
The Real Danger: When Just One Person Slips
But as the Reddit tale reveals, even with good safeguards, one night auditor fell for the scammer’s act, sending those “test refunds” into the digital abyss. Emboldened, the scammer called back the next night and asked for his mark by name (yikes). Fortunately, his act fell flat when another employee demanded proper verification, sending “James” scurrying back to his villain’s lair.
Word traveled fast—an official warning from head office hit inboxes company-wide. And just a few hours later, our storyteller, u/Tonythecritic, got his own midnight call from “James.” This time, Tony was ready.
Wasting a Scammer’s Time: The Hero Move
Instead of falling for the act, Tony deployed a power move: he told “James” that all I.T. calls would now be routed to the security desk. Result? Instant hang-up. Not only was the scammer foiled, but his time was wasted—which, in the world of digital scammers, is sweet, sweet revenge.
A bonus pro-tip from Tony: If you’ve got time, string the scammer along. Keep them talking, ask ridiculous questions, make them repeat their “ticket number” over and over. Every minute they spend with you is a minute they’re not scamming someone else (and hey, it beats another game of solitaire).
Lessons Learned: Don’t Let “James” Win
This isn’t just a funny story—it’s a critical heads-up for anyone working the night shift (or any shift, really). Here’s how to spot and stop the scam:
- Never install software from random sources. If I.T. needs something, they’ll tell you how—and you’ll need admin access anyway.
- Be skeptical of urgent requests, especially involving money or refunds.
- If someone claims to be from corporate, ask for verification—then follow up with your actual head office or I.T. department.
- Spread the word. The fastest way to kill a scam is to let everyone know it’s going around.
Have You Outwitted a Scammer?
The next time “James from I.T.” calls your desk, remember: you’re not just defending your hotel’s network—you’re defending night shifters everywhere. Got your own tale of scammer smackdown or midnight mayhem? Share it in the comments! Your story might just save someone else from falling for the next “critical update.”
Stay sharp, stay safe, and when in doubt—waste their time.
Have you ever dealt with a scammer at work? What’s your best tip for spotting a fake call? Drop your stories and advice below!
Original Reddit Post: 'This is James from I.T.'