16-Year-Old Hacks Webcams at Anti-Scam Call Center! Historic Event Leaves Scammers Terrified

Imagine you’re a scammer, sitting at your laptop, feeling confident as you run your usual tricks. Suddenly, a YouTube window pops up with a live video stream—and on that screen is your own webcam feed, with a group of people watching you! That’s exactly what happened when I, a 16-year-old hacker, became the youngest member ever invited to The People’s Call Center 2023—the largest anti-scam campaign in history, hosted by Scammer Payback.

The Anti-Scam Army: Legends United

At Scammer Payback HQ, dozens of famous scam baiters from around the world came together: John Hammond, Ryan Montgomery, Pierogi…and me, the youngest in the crew. The mission: hunt down, hack, and expose scammers impersonating Apple, Microsoft, Best Buy, Amazon—criminals stealing billions every year.

We didn’t just save victims from losing their money; we went on the offensive, hacking scammers’ systems, controlling their security cameras, collecting evidence, and most importantly—hacking into their webcams to capture undeniable proof.

Webcam Hacking: The Ultimate Scammer Nightmare

The biggest challenge in tracking scammers is that they often cover their webcams with tape or dark fabric. But with the help of top cybersecurity experts, we developed a special script: it sends a fake system warning—“Webcam overheating, remove cover to prevent device damage”—and locks their keyboard and mouse. If the scammer clicks OK without uncovering the webcam, the message keeps popping up until they give in.

As soon as a face is detected, our system automatically saves the image in a hidden folder, snapping a new shot every minute for future identification with reverse facial recognition tools. If the webcam isn’t blocked, the message disappears; if it is, we analyze the colors to determine the cover type and keep pushing until they reveal themselves.

Rescuing Victims: Fast Action, Real Impact

At the Call Center, one team accessed the scammers’ incoming call lists, while another group called victims in real-time to disrupt scams. I personally called an elderly victim:

“I’m with a team that tracks down scammers—they’re trying to access your computer and steal your money. Please shut down your computer right now; the number you called isn’t actually Best Buy!”

The rush of saving someone from losing everything is incredible—especially knowing you’ve stopped a scam in its tracks.

Direct Confrontation: Livestreaming the Scammer’s Face

One of the best moments was when our team decided to livestream a scammer’s webcam—Ravi Prakash—on Pierogi’s YouTube channel, directly on Ravi’s own computer. The whole team waved hello while Ravi panicked, immediately shutting down his computer. His webcam froze, and we haven’t seen him online since.

The thrill of hacking and watching a scammer get exposed in front of thousands of viewers is unbeatable. Ravi disappeared, but the evidence stays forever.

Wrapping Up: An Exhausting but Rewarding Week

The People’s Call Center wasn’t just a gathering of top hackers and security experts—it was proof of the power of community to protect the vulnerable from scams. It was stressful and intense, but the feeling of saving people and exposing criminals made it all worthwhile.

I hope to return next year, joining the team again to “destroy” scammers and protect the online world. Thanks to Scammer Payback for the opportunity, and thanks to all of you for watching and supporting!

Scammers beware: Never underestimate the power of the anti-scam community—even when it’s led by a 16-year-old hacker!