I assume the victims aren't technically-sophisticated bitcoin owners. I had previously told a family member that I had a little bit of cryptocurrency, and then a few months ago they messaged me asking how to buy some bitcoin. I prodded them a bit, and it turned out that they had seen a scam somewhat like today's. I was able to stop them and explain the scam. Presumably if they hadn't asked me, they might have figured out how to buy some on their own and then sent it to the scammer.