"What I want to know is, what's the purpose of those random texts that just say something like, "How's it been?" from a number that I've never communicated with? What's the angle there? Anyone know?"

Some people are seriously lonely - eager to pick up any chance of real interaction. And those scams prey on that.

On telegram those spam usually comes together with a profile picture of a pretty women. With text only, it targets the imagination.