I realize this is quite old. However, after reading this 'thread' of thinking I wonder how many have come across this and see it as a "how to" instruction for some of the scammer types to get 'ideas'.

Trust is as much human nature as is distrust...depends on the human. The cryptosphere is based on trustlessness is it not? So I don't see how these sort of conversations can be kept from the blockchain...or hidden for the protection of the more vulnerable Steemians here. 

Just my perspective from what I've read. Dotting I's and crossing Ts is far from an exact process.  I came here by way of a link from a currently active post from a struggling artist, of which there are multitudes here at Steemit. I'm just pointing out this potential exploit-ability because I can. 

I'm not much of a name/link dropper but I feel something is needed so those who doubt what I say can check backwards from here. 

Protect your treasures here at Steemit, do not allow them to be exploited if you possibly can. If they find Steemit is also a den of vipers...well we can all lose our passions as quickly as we find them...can't we?

https://steemit.com/minnowsupport/@isaria/attention-fellow-struggling-artists-help-has-arrived-in-the-form-of-minnow-support-project-the-msp-creative-bot-and-the-steemit  ...and yes...the link that brought me here is there. And the artist is certainly worth checking out, supporting and encouraging...with words...not just a lot of Steem.

~may all hatred cease...let there be peace~