A TikTok recently appeared on my Threads, with an interesting premise. Supposedly, a scammer managed to grift money from the alt-right community, by pretending to be looking for a sperm donor with specific racial requirements, and then requiring the participants to take a 23andme test. They would be referred to this test via a referral link, which would give the scammer $20, and thus the scammer makes money.
Looking at the account a bit closer, it is a scam. However, the scam is more insidious, and interesting than the claimed monetary value.
Let's not mince words: this account is ran by a massive racist
The story surrounding this implies that this is an account ran by an outgroup personality, looking to make money from this group.
That does not track with the comments made by this person. If you would like to not see racism, skip to the next header.
Stella's tweets
Stella's tweets
Stella's tweets
Flat out: this is just a racist. You do not ironically say these things. This is only a handful of examples, and a quick scroll through her profile will ruin your eyes.
There were never any 23andme requests
The scammer made these messages public, which immediately gave away the game. The scammer only sent a few messages back, but none of them were to 23andme referrals.
So, what was it?
Stella's tweets
There are two theories I currently have:
-
This was a scam to weed out "weak" actors within the alt-right ecosphere. People who are dumb, gullible, or horny enough to believe that this was real.
-
Pure engagement baiting for Twitter's monetization scheme.
Tristan Tate posted a tweet mocking these people, which was retweeted by original account, which bolsters the original theory.
Stella's tweets
Looking at the video itself, it is also obvious. She shows all of the messages uncensored, picking profiles to show off their pictures - typically, the less attractive folk.
Outside of the video, they've picked various people that have messaged them to make fun of them personally.
Stella's tweets
The replies to the tweet are filled with right-wing influencers, making fun of their now embarrassed associates.
And they're trying this again
A new variation on this scam is immediately good to go.
It starts off by promising a "hymen regrowth clinic", playing on a lot of the alt-right stereotypes: that women have to be pure, and that the hymen is a method to show your purity.
Stella's tweets
Immediately, you can use this to shame women who talk about this to you.
Stella's tweets
(The linked Twitter account is now deleted: I have no idea if this was actually the reason, but looking at an archive of their profile, they are part of the manosphere community. I would not rule out that this person never contacted "Stela", and was purely mocked for some other in-group drama.)
Next, advertise that this mysterious shaman has had to drop out, and they need a replacement.
Stella's tweets
And thus, you can now mock both genders: the 2nd tranche of people to fall for this scam, and any women who fall for it.
So, what's the point here.
It is interesting to see the new and interesting ways that Twitter has evolved with the explosion of alt-right content. We can see that groups like alt-right Twitter try to feed out (from their eyes) bad actors, to keep their cause going.
It is important we don't jump to easy explanations of what is happening here for a quick dunk. The 23andme explanation is funny, but I cannot find any evidence that this is what happened. The truth is: this is a racist, trying to out other racists, as part of a hazing ritual.
We should not celebrate this.