I have an ethical question about how to deal with conspiracy-theorists. [View all]

One of my hobbies are conspiracy-theories, especially Flat Earth, and I have listened to and chatted with some truly mentally deranged people. I'm talking borderline insane.
(One guy posted a video where he said with a calm voice and a big serene smile that all politicians should be assassinated. Not kidding.)

Now, there are two kinds of conspiracy-theorists:
* Most are simply uneducated or lack basic logical thinking, or use their belief to satisfy an emotional need (need to feel important, need to feel recognized, need for community...).
* And there are some conspiracy-theorists who do not believe in conspiracy-theories. They just pretend to believe in conspiracy-theories to create drama, to create publicity, that they can then leverage into money... by fleecing the actual believers for donations and dragging them ever-deeper down the rabbit-hole. These fakers are sometimes called "poe" in internet-lingo.



The fakers, the poes, aren't actual predators that would put evolutionary strain on the conspiracy-theorist community and drive people to leave it. (e.g. as people are leaving Scientology)

They are parasites that damage the believers undetected.

So, my question is: What is the more ethical thing to do?

* Should try to call out and reveal these fakers to prevent them from harming the true conspiracy-theorists (actual vulnerable people in actual need of psychological help)?

* Or should I leave the fakers alone and silently welcome the damage they inflict on the true conspiracy-theorists (actual bullshitters who have no qualms about ruining your life)?

How should we deal with horrible yet vulnerable people?