These MFs really just play off people's ignorance, trust and laziness. They've never impressed me on a ground level as being particularly bright. However, their effectiveness may change as they start to get far better with using AI, deep profiling, subliminals, and addictive patterning to screw with people. This is where the whole thing becomes quite automated and much more sophisticated.
Is your journalist friend that got jailed Pete Santilli or someone else?