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I got a lot less snarky in my responses to scam text messages when I learned about the forced labor aspect. I just block the sender and go on, versus trying to bait them and waste their time.

For awhile I was asking "Is there someone I can contact for you?", but then I got worried that would get somebody a beating.

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> versus trying to bait them and waste their time.

At least that prevents someone else getting scammed sooner.

I read somewhere about the operators receiving beatings when they failed to get a promising "lead" to produce. I don't want to give the appearance of being a promising lead anymore.

“I love you” works well, because even if they are a piece of shit now, they need to hear it. No one is born bad. I’ve actually gotten them to break character with stuff like that sometimes.

I agree with the sentiment, but that phrase is too strong to be used in an unfamiliar setting and won't land the same way outside of the anglosphere

Yeah, I'd go for something like "despite what you have to do, you still matter".

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