I spent some time creating this mind map to sum up everything you'd want to know about the scam messages, as well as the common theories. I will try to keep it updated. If you have anything to add to this or critique, please let me know.
Might take a while to load, it's a very high res image. Here's a link alternative: https://files.catbox.moe/csls12.jpg
This should be obvious, but due to the recent developments I want to have this here as a warning:
Don't send the scammer any money, even as a joke.
I can add a few data points.... https://lemmy.ca/u/fujinamilo was the nicole spammer on lemmy.ca, they used this account to test getting through filters. They logged into it from a VPN, and logged out (destroyed their session) when they were done.
They seem to message in batches of users, notice how both batches went to the same users in the same order at the top here: https://lemmy.ca/pictrs/image/b40f9e02-a162-4e56-8b5e-79b563a786c9.png
They like to spam the same users repeatedly: https://lemmy.ca/pictrs/image/ffd36fbd-2452-4806-960a-6d291b9c6d1a.png
Seeing as they actively joined lemmy.ca and tried to get through my filters after I made a post about them, it's reasonable to say they're watching us and probably having a lot of fun playing with everyone. Have we tried just asking for an AMA?
It's kinda interesting that they seem to be targeting specific users, glad your filters are working.
I really want to know how people are being targeted. I've only received one, have zero idea if it was a specific post or community? I think mine was after a post rather than a comment, but I can't recall.