Last December the media again set itself aflame with claims of an "unmasking" of Bitcoin's creator.

As in prior events, the claims turned out to be untrue-- this time with the target seemingly having implicated himself with poorly backdated vague blog posts in order to advance a massive tax rebate fraud against the Australian Government.

After the journalists exited stage left, heads hung in shame (but, presumably, wallets fat with the largess of countless page-views) and the Aussie authorities moved in to settle accounts in the rebate fraud, most here likely expected that would be the last we would hear of Craig Wright. Sadly, it doesn't look like it.

During the last few months Craig and his accomplices have been very active quietly networking in the Bitcoin industry. Their pitch: Craig is the real thing and the press got it wrong. Their elaboration on the details would lower your IQ to hear it, so I won't bore you with it-- needless to say, few who are thinking critically and understand the technology would believe it and that's probably the point: it's a filter. If you do listen long enough you find out that Craig, earnest creator of Bitcoin, and true heir to a MILLION BTC apparently has some procedural issues with a trust securing his funds, which could all be resolved with a bit of money-- but unfortunately, the evil dictators controlling his country have frozen all of his money... and that's where you come in dear reader. You see, he just needs a bit of money to complete the paperwork to obtain the coins, and-- of course-- secure safe passage to freeer lands...

That's right-- It sounds like he's setting up a classic advanced fee fraud. Now before you think that no one would be foolish enough to fall for this, keep in mind that these scams play on ego, vanity, greed (or better-- desperation)... You, Captain of Bitcoin Industry (or intrepid journalist) are being taken in Confidence by the mysterious Creator of Bitcoin-- inconsistencies in his story are to be expected, after all, mysterious is part of the job description!-- he happens to share all your views and concerns on Bitcoin, considers your own efforts important, and now he just needs some modest funding, and in return he eagerly wishes to invest in your (now starving for investment) Bitcoin Venture. You deserve a break and HE is putting his trust in you because you are very important and trustworthy. Of course, for security reasons-- and not to mention the unlawful flight from authorities-- you must keep this all completely confidential. (And especially don't discuss it with someone that might talk some sense into you!)

Laid out like this it sounds stupid, but people-- including some "big names" (if not ones respected in this subreddit) appear to have fallen for it. The important thing is, you don't have to join their ranks.

The pool of the best targets-- the ones with the easiest egos to stroke and the greatest access to funding-- is running dry and Craig is apparently taking his act on the road, metaphorically, to reach a wider audience. If someone approaches you, pause to apply some judgement. Think: if you were to read about someone else believing the story you're being told, how foolish would you think they are?

As for those who've already been taken: You're not the first person to get ripped off in the land of Bitcoin or through advanced fee fraud. Cut your losses and try to avoid embarrassing all of us.