From Entertainment to Baiting Scammers, The Journey of Two YouTubers

It was by accident after receiving a scam call that Ashton Bingham and Art Kulik, founders of Trilogy Media, realised that this could be material for entertainment. They became part of a phenomenon called Scambaiters, who create content out of frustrating scamsters, and have vast followings. Trilogy has 1.66 million subscribers on Youtube and over 120 million views.  A big component of such scams done abroad emanate from India, through criminal call centres. In an email interview, Bingham, who is based in Los Angeles, gave a peek into the world of scambaiters.   

What brought you two together initially?

Art and I both come from a background in film and performance. We met in Los Angeles as actors and quickly realized we shared a similar sense of humor, hustle, and a desire to make an impact. What started as a fun partnership making comedy sketches and writing scripts eventually evolved into something much bigger once we stumbled into the world of scambaiting. We never set out to be scam investigators…it found us, and once it did, we realized we had a powerful opportunity to do some good.

I understand that the first scambaiting experience came by accident. Can you recount it—what scam were you targeting, how did you approach it, and what did you learn from that first encounter?

The very first time we engaged with a scammer was just on a whim. We got a fake Internal Revenue Service (US tax agency), and instead of hanging up, we decided to play along and mess with them for laughs. But what started as a prank quickly turned into something darker. We realized how manipulative and convincing these scams could be. That encounter taught us two things: one, people are truly being victimized every day by these scams, and two, we had the skill set and platform to expose it creatively.

When did you realize scambaiting could become a bigger part of your professional life?

After that first call, we started actively baiting scammers on camera. At first, it was for comedy. But when viewers began writing in, telling us we’d helped their parents avoid being scammed, or that they felt more confident spotting a scam, we knew we had something powerful. The shift happened when we started researching scam tactics more deeply and began confronting scammers in real time. When we flew to India for the Robocall docuseries, that solidified it: this wasn’t just a side project anymore…it was our mission.

What was your favorite scambaiting experience?

One standout moment was when we teamed up with Agent G9 and infiltrated a fake Charles Schwab call center. We were not only able to expose their operation but also intercept a cash mule in Los Angeles and save a real-life victim in real time. That experience was intense, emotional, and incredibly validating. It showed how the digital world and real world collide, and how our work can actually prevent a crime in progress.

What are the tactics you use?

We use everything from voice changers and fake identities to insider call center footage and GPS tracking. But our biggest weapon is unpredictability. Scammers don’t expect a bait to go from a funny phone call to a full-blown confrontation in their city with hidden cameras. We’re constantly evolving to stay a few steps ahead.

There are different types of scams. Which type do you most enjoy taking on, and why?

Tech support scams are personal for us because they prey on vulnerable people—especially the elderly. But lately, romance scams have really hit a nerve. The emotional damage they cause is horrific. That’s why we’ve started partnering with Social Catfish and other groups to hunt down romance scammers.

Some of your baits are very elaborately planned. How much time and resources does it take?

This is our entire life. We have a team of editors, researchers, and producers working with us. Some stings take weeks or months to plan, especially when we’re flying across the country or overseas. Between scripting, baiting, editing, and platform distribution, it’s like producing a new mini-movie every week.

What tools or technology do you use, and how have they evolved in your work?

We use VPNs, virtual machines, spoofed numbers, real-time GPS trackers, and burner phones—along with AI voice changers and deepfake tech when needed. Our tools have evolved from basic pranks to sophisticated investigative tools that help us identify, locate, and sometimes even dismantle scam operations.

What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about scammers?

How organized and business-like these operations are. It’s not just one guy in a dark room. It’s entire call centers, with scripts, managers, quotas, and sometimes even HR departments. It’s a criminal industry disguised as customer service.

What patterns or behaviors do scammers tend to repeat that make them easy to bait?

They rely heavily on urgency and fear. “You owe money.” “Your computer is hacked.” “You’ll be arrested.” Once you spot that emotional manipulation, you can reverse-engineer it. Also, they tend to follow rigid scripts, which makes it easier to catch them off guard when you say something unexpected.

Have your encounters revealed anything unexpected about the motivations or circumstances driving scammers?

Yes. Many are just desperate people trying to survive, especially in countries with limited opportunities. But desperation doesn’t justify exploitation. That said, we’ve helped a number of scammers leave the industry and start new lives, which is something we’re really proud of.

India is known to be a centre for call centre scams. What percentage of your baits are related to India? Any observations about Indian scammers?

A large percentage—especially tech support scams. But we want to be clear: the problem isn’t India—it’s global. And there are many amazing people in India helping us fight back. Some of the most powerful moments in The Robocall series were when we reunited with ex-scammers in Delhi who we helped leave that world behind.

How risky is it to do what you do?

We’ve received death threats, been doxxed, and even followed. That’s why we operate with security protocols and legal protections. The risk is real, but we believe the reward—helping people—is worth it.

Some scambaiters go as far as hacking scammers, though it’s a small percentage. Where do you draw the line between crossing into a legally nebulous territory?

We want to be clear: we are not hackers. Our work is rooted in storytelling, investigative journalism, and boots-on-the-ground confrontations. That said, we fully support the efforts of the ethical, white-hat hackers we partner with. These are individuals doing what most law enforcement won’t—digging deep, infiltrating scam operations, and saving lives in the process. Their work has been critical in exposing networks, recovering stolen data, and shutting down criminal infrastructure. We believe that when white-hat hackers act responsibly and ethically, they’re filling a gap that’s been ignored for far too long.

How has scambaiting affected you—does it still give you a rush, or has it ever worn you down?

Both. The rush is still there, but the emotional toll is real. Some of the victim stories haunt us. That’s why we’ve built a support system within our team and community. We lean on each other and try to mix in humor whenever we can to stay sane. Our Squad who watch and support our content are the real reason we’re still alive and kicking.

How do you stay safe while engaging with scammers? Any advice you would give to newcomers who see your success and want to emulate you?

Don’t go in blind. Learn the legal limits, protect your identity, and never put yourself or others in danger just for clicks.

What’s the most common motivation of scambaiters—social activism, entertainment, or something else—and how does that align with your own reasons?

It varies. Some do it for laughs, some for justice, some for both. For us, it started as entertainment and evolved into activism. Now, it’s a blend. If we can entertain while educating—and protect people in the process—that’s our sweet spot.

Scambaiting is a growing entertainment genre on platforms like YouTube and Twitch. What strategies do you use to grow and engage your audience?

We lean into storytelling. We treat every sting like an episode of a true crime series. Cliffhangers, twists, reveals, character arcs. We also engage heavily with our community—reading their comments, incorporating their ideas, and even pulling them into the mission.

How do your viewers or followers influence your scambaiting—do they suggest scams to target or personas to try?

All the time. We get tips, story suggestions, even fake characters they want us to play. Our community is like a second crew. Without them, we wouldn’t be able to do what we do.

How remunerative is scambaiting for those who are successful in it?

For us, it’s a full-time job. Beyond YouTube, we’ve built our own streaming platform (Trilogy Plus), secured sponsorships, developed TV projects, and sell merch. But it didn’t happen overnight. You have to build trust, stay consistent, and always be innovating.

Have you seen your work directly help someone avoid becoming a victim?

Hundreds of times. We get messages every week from people who say our videos saved their parents or helped them recognize a scam before it was too late. That impact is what keeps us going.

You have collaborated with other scambaiters? What’s the community like, and how has it influenced your approach?

We’ve had the pleasure of working with many legends in the space. The community is collaborative, passionate, and increasingly impactful. We learn a lot from each other and push each other to go further.

Have you ever worked with police or anti-fraud organizations to share what you’ve learned, and how did that go?

Yes, we’ve worked with multiple law enforcement agencies here in the U.S., from local police departments to federal authorities like the FBI. We’ve provided evidence, helped track down money mules, and even facilitated arrests during our sting operations. Our work has led to real-world consequences for scammers operating on U.S. soil. While we initially hoped to collaborate more closely with law enforcement in countries like India, unfortunately, the level of corruption and resistance we encountered there made it nearly impossible to establish meaningful partnerships. That experience only reinforced how critical it is for us to keep doing what we do independently, while continuing to build trusted relationships with law enforcement here at home.

How do you see scambaiting evolving as scammers get more sophisticated, and what role do you hope to play in that future?

Scammers are getting smarter—but so are we. AI, deepfakes, and data leaks are changing the game. Our goal is to stay on the front lines: innovating, collaborating, and holding criminals accountable. We’re not going anywhere.

Art KulikAshton Binghamscam preventionTrilogy MediaYouTube scambaiters