Good riddance 2020. Welcome 2021.
Added 2020-12-31 16:50:19 +0000 UTCThank you, thank you, thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout 2020.
It has been a horrible year and I really hope that 2021, vaccine year, will live up to everyone's hopes.
For me, it has been a very mixed year. I have obviously continued my quest against scammers and, by contacting mainstream media and with being lucky with YouTube's algorithm, my YouTube channel has increased from 900k at the start of the year to 2.5M by the end of it. Absolutely phenomenal for me. I never expected to gain so many subscribers and such support from yourselves on Patreon. In any normal year, this would be cause for celebration, but what I saw was the the scams continued despite call centres being closed and 'home working' being the norm. I honestly expected the calls to drop off, but instead, I saw the opposite.
The graph above shows the pattern of new subscribers to my YouTube channel. If you're interested in the peaks in the graph, the first was down to the 4 "Spying on the Scammers" videos which brought mainstream media attention. The middle peak in July (I gained nearly 60k subscribers per day at one point) was getting lucky with YouTube's 'recommended' algorithm. The peak at the end of the year was a simple mention from Mark Rober... Very useful have have friend in high places!
But I have to bear in mind that this all happened in a very volatile year. With Covid 19 affecting almost everyone, you continued to support me and I am extremely grateful. Usually people cut back to the essentials in times of crisis and I fully expected Patreon subscriptions to drop off this year. I was wrong... they've almost doubled and this has made a huge difference to my life and I want to think every single one of you for this.
I usually make a 'Dumbest scammers of 2020' video, but a little like the YouTube rewind, it just doesn't seem appropriate this year. I have plenty of footage for this, but I think it will be best to leave this for a little while. Maybe at a point where we can relax a little more after the vaccine rollout.
Finally, I'd just like to say a 'Happy and Hopeful New Year for 2021' and to thank you again for the huge support you've given me this year.
Jim
Comments
Love your work! :D
Senedra
2021-02-24 09:12:27 +0000 UTCHi Jim. Thank you very much for your great work. You are our Dark Knight, who does justice on our behalf and yet is ‘tagged by the system’. One thing in your videos though that makes me sad is when you do so much work and you send it to the corresponding police force in India and it seems that they do not do much or not at all. I come from Brazil and although we have great police men and women the institution itself is quite prone to corruption. I just hope that is not the case with the cyber police in India. Keep up with the great work!
Paulo Bagini
2021-02-15 15:04:26 +0000 UTCJim, heres to this year being better then last year. last year made me cry to many times. So far so good. I want to express my gratitude for your dedication to what can seem at times daunting to me. smh humans find so many ways to hurt each other. blessings to you Jim take care. Lynn
Lynn Henry
2021-02-03 01:06:35 +0000 UTCid like to think you back, ive had a really crappy day but your videos make me smile, i wanna say dont stop, but thats up to you i suppose
Dave Stowell
2021-01-29 06:47:26 +0000 UTCI thank God for Jim Browning every single day. You are the very first Scambaiter that I ever subscribed to which I now am subscribed to over 100 Scambaiter‘s. Thankyou so much Jim for all you do. 🥰
Stephanie Humphries
2021-01-29 05:08:01 +0000 UTCI would regard every unsolicited phone call as a likely scam. This has scam written all over it.
Jim Browning
2021-01-22 12:11:01 +0000 UTCIt's a pleasure watching you work Jim, you are fabulous.
2021-01-18 23:13:52 +0000 UTCJust had a 1 hour conversation with Brokermajor24 of "Austria". All the while I was on line checking their facts. Their sales rep who called me recommended trading in Pfizer, scheduled to "go from 30 to 60." When I asked today's price she didn't know. [It was 36.7]. She then passed me to a "broker" who did know some stuff. He said "We have information you cannot possibly know." I asked if that was insider trading but he then bluffed his way through. Outcome -I said I would ring him in 2 weeks after mulling it over. But i will not be doing that! I put their phone number on block. So if they ring again, it will be from a different number. Thanks Jim, as I've watched several of your youtube videos. A lot of my conversational strategy and tactics was based on your youtube telecons with the cons.
2021-01-18 19:41:12 +0000 UTCI saw your channel on YouTube and had to support your Patreon! Absolutely brilliant!
2021-01-17 23:56:24 +0000 UTCLooking forward to whatever comes our way in 2021.
Myke Lastname
2021-01-17 02:24:17 +0000 UTCWe could all use some laughter. I hope you will do an outtakes or gag reel, if you feel you want to.
Funhouse Mirror
2021-01-14 02:06:28 +0000 UTCIs the vaccine really a vaccine? Might wanna listen to some censored voices on that one.
Funhouse Mirror
2021-01-13 10:21:01 +0000 UTC"Usually people cut back to the essentials" well, I guess that makes you essential to some people :)
Eichhörnchenversteher
2021-01-11 15:07:36 +0000 UTCI literally just found you a few days ago. I have never sponsored anyone on YouTube but i feel your work needs it. I have to admit I was a little afraid of the process since watching your videos. Lol I was thinking is this right? I will question everything now. One of the reason I wanted to do this was my mother was scammed by someone I’m Ghana. He claimed to be from the USA and has her send him money to “help” since his was blocked by the military or some thing crazy. The sad part is she is lonely and thought it was a real person. She feel for the same scam 3 times. Lucky my mother doesn’t have much money to scam but he took some of her monthly ss check. I was able to stop this and now I have control and she lives with me. She is only 69. It can happen to anyone. Thank you for what you do and I will continue this for as long as possible.
Lois Plone
2021-01-10 15:08:23 +0000 UTCI also just stumbled onto your YT channel and became addicted right away. Bravo to you and your mission. Keep sticking it to the scammers!
2021-01-08 00:40:53 +0000 UTCJust found you on youtube.... so i had to subscribe to help you out !! Hope my little contribution will help you out in your Journey !! I just hate those scammers !! Wish you all a great year 2021 !!
2021-01-07 16:48:35 +0000 UTCI have been Binge watching a lot of the videos and I thought it was time to help out. I have learned a lot over the last month. Best of luck in your work!
Robert Mendez
2021-01-03 21:16:56 +0000 UTCMost people feel helpless regarding this utterly immoral practice and see little evidence of it being dealt with through official routes. This is why you get the support. You care. One thing I would like to see discussed, though I am sure it is sensitive, is why the police in India do so little to stop this crime. I think I know what the official reasons are, but I believe the awareness of the corruption in India needs raising in the Western world. It is as though the Indian government supports scamming operations simply by turning a blind eye. We really must address the hypocrisy of morals at home while employing cheap labour in countries that do not share our standards.
Syd
2021-01-03 11:05:22 +0000 UTCI’m so happy for you, Jim! I personally would love a best of this year! Scam calls died down for me for a bit when they were in lockdown, but then it seemed they started “working from home” too. Thank you so much for everything you do!
Music is a Rainbow
2021-01-03 07:53:11 +0000 UTCWhat I like about Jim's videos, other than being educational AND useful, is that he is very calm and focused when exposing the scammers Too many other Youtubers degenerate into cursing and awful name calling That's why I subscribe to Jim's channel and as of today, 03/01/21, a very happy patron Thank you Jim!
2021-01-03 03:25:21 +0000 UTCJim you're the first person I've sent money to on Patreon and I couldn't be happier. Thank you for doing what you do. Have a happy new year.
2021-01-02 19:18:12 +0000 UTCJim is doing what our taxes should be doing here in the US. Trillions spent on defense and our own government can't afford a legion of Jims? Wouldn't it be satisfying if we knew our tax dollars weren't being wasted? I've increased my support for Jim this year and am thrilled with how my voluntary tax dollars are being spent!
BRIAN THOMPSON
2021-01-02 17:58:59 +0000 UTCThank you Jim. Really. Thank you.
2021-01-02 17:36:31 +0000 UTCHi all. Just been watching Jim's vids about destroying the scumbags in India by using their own cctv against them. Highly amusing, and highly disturbing. Immediately decided to support him on Patreon. First time I've ever done so. Thank you Jim. Keep up the very good work.
2021-01-02 14:55:38 +0000 UTCThanks for the good work you do for everyone else
2021-01-02 03:28:36 +0000 UTCHi Jim, it might amuse you to know that in a recent court case I am involved in about joint property with my ex, His Barrister's questioning was leading up to a gotcha moment with me as she tried to prove I have more income than I said. She asked me what Patreon was, I answered and then she implied that I was somehow registered with Patreon and receiving funds and my donation to you was actually rent to patreon for my site. I know, she was an idiot, so I had to explain who you were, which led the judge to get out her phone and look you up...I found it hysterical, i thought it might amuse you. Happy New Year all.
2021-01-01 19:35:02 +0000 UTCI found your channel about a month ago and have been watching all your videos since. Thank you for all you do. I just knew I had to support someone like you. Keep fighting the good fight. I hope you have a great New Year Jim.
2021-01-01 15:54:06 +0000 UTCHappy New Year Jim
RM
2021-01-01 14:42:48 +0000 UTCI am so happy to have found your channel. As an old timer, I used to spend time backtracking email via headers to try and get their accounts nuked. I really enjoy watching your videos and want to help in sticking it to the scammers. Great work. Thank you.
Phillip Porch III
2021-01-01 02:41:10 +0000 UTCGreat work. You have my dream job. You have spawned a new positive form of entertainment and education. Let me know if you need any software developed free. Peace.
2021-01-01 02:23:38 +0000 UTCHappy New Year, you are amazing! Can't wait to see what the new year brings...
Julia Gorton
2021-01-01 01:23:07 +0000 UTCJim, Happy new year !. Real life hero. Please train few more people so that they can be of help to you
2021-01-01 01:15:50 +0000 UTCThanks for what you do! So entertaining and terrific to use your knowledge to protect people from these guys. Thank you!!
2021-01-01 01:09:27 +0000 UTCHappy new year Jim,
2021-01-01 00:24:31 +0000 UTCI became a new supporter today, after stumbling across one of your videos - the 4 part series. And I relayed part 2 to staff at my company to increase their awareness and education in social engineering tactics. Really interesting and helpful to see this from the hacker side of things. You are making a HUGE difference Jim. Keep up the good work! Happy to be a member and new fan. Happy New Year!
2020-12-31 23:19:27 +0000 UTCGlad to be a supporter and thankful for people like you. 👍
2020-12-31 23:09:33 +0000 UTCHappy New Year Jim!
2020-12-31 22:57:34 +0000 UTCWith respect, Jim, life will return to normal when we insist on it and simply return to it in force. Holding freedom for ransom with chemical injections is more evil than any scam. My family and all my friends have survived Covid just fine; healthy adults have next to nothing to fear. We were unable to spend two close relative's non-Covid-related dying moments with them, however, not due to Covid, but due to the hysterical reactions spawned by it. Your channel promotes critical, rational thinking and intelligence. Let's use both in 2021 and refuse to live needlessly in fear. Keep up the great work.
Mike Verta
2020-12-31 22:19:50 +0000 UTCHappy New Year Jim. Thank you for your work. I'm so happy to be able to contribute in some small way to the downfall of these scammers.
2020-12-31 21:05:57 +0000 UTCI wish everybody a healthy and a happy 2021! And thanks Jim for your work.
Martin Rangi Rehua
2020-12-31 20:35:11 +0000 UTCThanks for your hard work on the behalf of all of us!
2020-12-31 20:18:50 +0000 UTCThankyou so much for all you do and a very Happy New Year to you buddy 🥰
Stephanie Humphries
2020-12-31 19:16:53 +0000 UTCThanking you for everything you do.
2020-12-31 19:12:47 +0000 UTCThank you for such good videos showing us what scammers can do, and combatting it. You see several YouTube videos of people wasting a scammer's time, but usually they're just insulting them or something, and in my opinion, though it's funny to insult them, it's better to take more direct action. Thank you again and good luck.
2020-12-31 18:49:42 +0000 UTCJust sponsored you at the gold level. I like how you are sharing your techniques with others. We need an army of Jim Brownings.
2020-12-31 18:40:22 +0000 UTCHappy New Year, Jim and thank you for all the work you do!!
Lillan62
2020-12-31 18:16:49 +0000 UTCHappy New Year Jim and thanks for everything you do. About the 2020 video, if you can make everyone have a laugh it would be totally fine. In my opinion YouTube doesn't do a rewind because they just can't get it right. I have found a youtube rewind of indonesian creators and it is pretty good. Anyway keep it going!
2020-12-31 18:14:16 +0000 UTCHappy, and tentatively hopeful, New Year!
2020-12-31 18:13:55 +0000 UTCYou’re doing amazing work Jim, and all your success is merely due! All the best and a happy new year to you.
chax000
2020-12-31 18:08:09 +0000 UTCNo need to say much more as all the posts above say it all. Have a great New Year. Steve Brown.
Stephen Brown
2020-12-31 17:48:35 +0000 UTCHi Jim
Stephen Brown
2020-12-31 17:47:15 +0000 UTCHey, Jim! Thank you for what you do! You definitely deserve all the support you are getting. I wish you and everyone else a lot better new year! :)
2020-12-31 17:44:24 +0000 UTCHi Jim! You definitely deserve this success! I'm proud to be one of your patreon! I wish your a happy new year! 🎉🎉
2020-12-31 17:34:17 +0000 UTCIve never seen a channel that deserve all the subscribers+more, and im glad yours has grown so much this year. its gret to see how well you are doing. I have only discovered you recently and have binge watched everything, its incredible what you do. I know more scammers pop up, but ones that you have stopped or shut down, there would have been a butterfly effect on helping all those potential victims out, and all the work you continue to do everyone will be extremely grateful and i still stand by the 'superhero of the Internet' comment, its incredible what you can do! I've seen others do what you do and of course thats amazing but it is like you go above and beyond each time, trying your hardest to contact all victims etc 😊 I hope you have a wonder 2021 🎊🎊🥳🥳
Sarah Johnson
2020-12-31 17:28:19 +0000 UTCJim--you're truly a gem. Keep up the good work sir.
2020-12-31 17:27:38 +0000 UTCHappy New Year, Jim. Thanks for all that you do. Hope you get some time to switch off for a bit and properly relax. Take care
2020-12-31 17:25:00 +0000 UTCThank you for all your hard work, Jim. I have never supported anyone through Patreon until I found your videos. I really feel like you are doing the 'right' thing, the 'good' thing, and it felt so appropriate to support your efforts. 2020 has really drug me down and I am having really hard time with what is happening in my country. What keeps me going is the knowledge that there are far more good people in the world than bad. You are a testament to that fact. Thanks again, and take care.
MonkWxly
2020-12-31 17:21:34 +0000 UTCJim, you deserve all the praise and subscribers that you have and more. To me, you are one of the only “youtubers” who truly deserves this. What you do is amazing and if you stretch it out, you may even save lives. Who’s to say that someone loosing all their live savings to a scammer might not be depressed and eventually think of suicide. What you do is honorable and amazing.
2020-12-31 17:16:29 +0000 UTCKeep up the good work Jim! Well done and thank you.
Rolandas
2020-12-31 17:12:45 +0000 UTCLife Insurance / Health Insurance scammers won't take long, boring phone calls as a no and keep calling me, despite the fact that my grandson has both my medicare card and my checkbook in his car. If you want to talk to them, they claim their name is "Mark Williams" and their phone number supposedly is 732 226 8721. My name is Frank Johnson, I live on 2032 Otis St in Edgewater Colorado. Birthdate is 3/12/1951. My grandson Javier will be my beneficiary, if he ever comes back with my important info. I'm 5'10", 165 lbs, and in perfect health. Retired. I bank at the Colorado Bank in Lakewood.
2020-12-31 17:09:38 +0000 UTCThank you for what you do. I only wish I had found you sooner!
2020-12-31 17:08:43 +0000 UTCI stopped worrying about Covid when my young bride for 54 years had a major heart attack on March 17th ............... but survived! :-)
2020-12-31 17:06:18 +0000 UTCWe're extremely grateful for all the work you are doing! Greetings form germany!
CMC
2020-12-31 17:05:09 +0000 UTCHappy new year Jim 2021
christian gaskinas
2020-12-31 17:05:07 +0000 UTCGreat to hear from you Jim! So glad you had the growth, you deserve it my friend! Great job doing your best to expose those idiot scammers and helping the victims. If there is ever anyway i can help besides support here, please do not hesitate to reach out to me. I love what you do and i am a huge fan. I do hope some day your out of work and maybe can make videos about how the scammers have disappeared. Doubtful. I will remain on your side of this. Best regards and wishing you a hopeful 2021! /a
MetaleX music
2020-12-31 17:02:19 +0000 UTCHappy new year Jim! I am proud to continue supporting your channel in 2021 to help you fight the scammers.
2020-12-31 17:02:13 +0000 UTCThank you, Jim, for all the work you do and thank you for helping me believe in people like you when I was on my lowest this year, your videos helped me (and people in them!) a lot! Happy New Year!
2020-12-31 17:01:53 +0000 UTCHappy New Year Jim, peace and love... Only found you this year but have loved every moment of your video's. Thank you ..
2020-12-31 17:01:33 +0000 UTCHNY Jim!
Jeff Keys
2020-12-31 16:58:26 +0000 UTCHappy New Year! You deserve the best Jim Browning!
Hope Davis
2020-12-31 16:58:23 +0000 UTCHappy New Year Jim!
2020-12-31 16:56:55 +0000 UTCHealthier and Happier New Year for all of us!
2020-12-31 16:56:16 +0000 UTCHappy new year! Thank you for keeping the uploads coming even though the horrible mess that was 2020, all the best for the year ahead!
2020-12-31 16:53:58 +0000 UTCHappy new year, Jim. Thanks for all that you do.
2020-12-31 16:53:08 +0000 UTCHappy ny bro keep up the good work
J D
2020-12-31 16:52:24 +0000 UTC
