Title: ANN Thread Bumper/Spammers: Vitor Services Post by: nutildah on June 30, 2019, 03:48:55 PM I have identified a new ANN thread bumping service that I believe is a continuation of a previously exposed service (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5120454.0) that has now closed up shop.
Why is this bad? Not only is it a way to skirt forum rules, it means the project does not want to invest its own time into building an organic community and is resorting to creating a fake buzz, which in my opinion is a dishonest tactic. Its also frequently used by scam projects that never had any intention of being honest in the first place. In my opinion, all of these accounts should be banned for spamming, and investors should steer clear of projects which have hired them for safe measure. In addition, future spammer-for-hire operations should be deterred, or at least made harder for them to go undetected. Service provider: Vitor Services (https://vitor-services.company/) (archived (https://archive.is/1JswP)) https://i.imgur.com/uAg7Cmt.png https://i.imgur.com/aVYMQyQ.png https://i.imgur.com/21Z6PiU.png https://i.imgur.com/4g9ifa1.png https://i.imgur.com/qGIl5wa.png Connected ANNs (clients) I was PM'd about this service and website confidentially but notice how the last screenshot above mentions Phore Blockchain (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=3179265). The below list of ANNs have all been being regularly bumped by the same accounts: MidasCaps (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5155863) Atronocom (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5143638) Cocos-BCX (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5139871) Levolution (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5093234) ZEST (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5147320) Auditchain (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5152521) Invech (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5052844) PHORE (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=3179265) ELLCRYS (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5155691) PBET (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5131435) Vexanium (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=3282122) AssetStream (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5138325) EXBEGA (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5139896) Blue Hill Mining (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5145356) (there's actually a couple of others that popped into my radar after this list was made, will add them later) Connected Accounts (spammers) There are at least 50 accounts connected, possibly dozens more, but I have only included the first 32 for the time being (will add more later). These accounts share similar features: - they are somewhat aged accounts, with registration dates between 2013 and 2018, making me think they were all bought at the same time - they ALL have the same default Local Time (every single one of them) - they all have the same style of writing, composing 1 or 2 line low-level content, basic English replies, frequently asking questions and then answering themselves, creating long chains of replies to each other, and avoiding interaction with non-involved accounts - they all comment in the same swarm of ANN threads - they are all Newbie accounts, except for maybe 1 or 2 Jr Members (I forget -- they might all be Newbies) The accounts identified thus far: ad14n994 (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=592074) adhe1989 (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=697239) andreideeu (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1042281) Andy Soeb Andy (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=398965) binoysonowal (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=860797) bizinvest (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=804116) Copynerd (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=417501) ederson0506 (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1038054) Felix17 (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=942799) gmoorthy87v (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=464103) igotnospots (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=534614) kellogss (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=881028) ken995 (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=930848) kingoflions (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=407427) ktuj164 (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=786103) maungakl (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=879118) MCTarakan (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=918027) medalizich (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=815806) ncel (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=947087) nurgalievmarsel (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=553152) Pavel64 (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=787787) puneeth670 (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=917517) ranellucci (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=167525) sdoow (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=2021591) sintal1ty (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=908667) tagan75 (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=856890) ThundRM8 (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=850235) tinnguyen161 (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=936250) vasok (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=440223) wesleylex (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=464994) winkleplus (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=762466) with (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=141676) Demonstration of Connection Here is a matrix showing which accounts (rows) are bumping which threads (columns) (up to the 1st 22 accounts because thats all I could fit in a reasonably visible screen shot): https://i.imgur.com/jsHgqCQ.png What's Next? Here's the problem: spammers aren't supposed to be tagged, they are supposed to be reported for spamming. However, since they aren't technically engaging in back-to-back posting, and their content could arguably be considered not spam, I had little success in having the thread bumpers banned the first time around. Some of them were banned for plagiarism, but most remain active. Obviously I'm not opening flags on all of them. But is it worth leaving them a red or neutral tag over? Basically, how do we curb this kind of behavior? I'd like to get some opinions on this. Title: Re: ANN Thread Bumper/Spammers: Vitor Services Post by: BitcoinGirl.Club on June 30, 2019, 04:12:50 PM That's a hell lot of work you have done brother.
Obviously I'm not opening flags on all of them. But is it worth leaving them a red or neutral tag over? I wish this kind of users get red however we are discouraged to do it so I will better leave them neutral tag. Hopefully other users see the tag and identify them as spammers. Edit: Left neutral feedback for all of them. Title: Re: ANN Thread Bumper/Spammers: Vitor Services Post by: nutildah on July 05, 2019, 08:49:29 AM That's a hell lot of work you have done brother. Obviously I'm not opening flags on all of them. But is it worth leaving them a red or neutral tag over? I wish this kind of users get red however we are discouraged to do it so I will better leave them neutral tag. Hopefully other users see the tag and identify them as spammers. Edit: Left neutral feedback for all of them. Thanks, yeah I think I might be a bit nuts for going through this much effort. I would also neutral tag them but I don't think its going to do much to stop them. These accounts need to be straight up banned since they are furthering a professional spam service. Its against forum rules to pay people to write comments in your thread, isn't it? The connections I provided between these accounts and Vitor Services should be enough to have all of them banned. Title: Re: ANN Thread Bumper/Spammers: Vitor Services Post by: aioc on July 05, 2019, 10:51:03 AM It deceives investors into thinking are actually supporting the project, reviews and comments should be honest and impartial, they all should be red tagged, if bounty reporting can ban posters why not this kind of behavior.
Title: Re: ANN Thread Bumper/Spammers: Vitor Services Post by: AdolfinWolf on July 05, 2019, 11:19:57 AM Doesn't the site itself also list the projects (or rather, logo's of said projects) that have bought some sort of bumping service from them?
https://i.imgur.com/sd5QeIF.png I think these are all the images of projects that are listed on their site. https://imgur.com/a/QTNJPjR How much actually engaged in fraudulent behaviour though, who knows... Title: Re: ANN Thread Bumper/Spammers: Vitor Services Post by: BitcoinGirl.Club on July 05, 2019, 12:16:27 PM Its against forum rules to pay people to write comments in your thread, isn't it? The connections I provided between these accounts and Vitor Services should be enough to have all of them banned. You see, tagging them (neutral or whatever) is really a waste of time because it's not stopping them to bump those services. Title: Re: ANN Thread Bumper/Spammers: Vitor Services Post by: nutildah on July 05, 2019, 12:47:59 PM Its against forum rules to pay people to write comments in your thread, isn't it? The connections I provided between these accounts and Vitor Services should be enough to have all of them banned. You see, tagging them (neutral or whatever) is really a waste of time because it's not stopping them to bump those services. Plus, they can just start churning out new accounts no problem. They seem to be using aged newbie accounts, so they likely bought them from somebody in bulk. For example, the accounts currently commenting on Blue Hill Mining: Name Registration Date jiestringer23 (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=912683) October 26, 2016 Gregonade (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=687121) December 13, 2015 kristall1bux (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=448477) February 17, 2015 Anyway, whatever we can do to slow them down would be a good thing. Title: Re: ANN Thread Bumper/Spammers: Vitor Services Post by: timerland on July 05, 2019, 12:52:17 PM Quote Obviously I'm not opening flags on all of them. But is it worth leaving them a red or neutral tag over? Basically, how do we curb this kind of behavior? I'd like to get some opinions on this. Personally, I feel like that a red tag is certainly warranted. Even though this kind of behaviour will trick absolutely no one experienced into believing in the hype, it'll serve as a nice warning sign for newbies who aren't familiar with this. This whole site that you mentioned (Vitor services) seems to be quite shady, and projects who plan on using this should be advised of not only the forum rules themselves, but the risky nature of using these unregulated sites. I just can't believe how there is an entire ecosystem based off breaking forum rules - incredible. Title: Re: ANN Thread Bumper/Spammers: Vitor Services Post by: Rikafip on August 22, 2019, 04:36:51 PM I stumbled upon this huge bump group with 45 accounts so far, and then i saw that you already reported members from probably the same group.
Their MO is the same, all accounts were made few years ago but are still newbies , and are writing on the same groups you mentioned, with a few additions like HYPE (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5164036.0) , EZYSTAYZ (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5167718.0), RachelX (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5169252.0) and Lucky Strike Game (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5065328.0). Some accounts are freshly awoken day or two ago. shibenik https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=353657 gajapathik https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=924260 Roscokov https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=230170 dordanut https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=374113 traxer112 https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=907822 serzik2759 https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1194325 bigservicesinfo https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=976260 zjgirt https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=803281 alex201502 https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=817102 odoziaku https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=973785 markiz7601 https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=943535 BungTrader https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=880010 danirpm https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=258691 kidd24 https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=552897 faiziimemon https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=965379 yats https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=564634 namtih016 https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=774709 qqnauta https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=700079 jk29 https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=373995 quyet012345678 https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=364187 baymax https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=469147 GGabox https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=812866 kawaiikitty https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=637672 baby5226 https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=205531 serzik2759 https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1194325 MountainMinerGuy https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=235489 sma786 https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=735900 TipTop777 https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=2071082 wiicraft https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=531358 straight55b https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=216818 diegovf https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1099374 Yuliuspratama https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1228746 cyrrus https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=204990 elektroxxsk https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1145234 Mohamed Amir dify https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=825950 manperei https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=108731 raptor223 https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=193897 vladimir2505 https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=868079 hamoudi19 https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=518666 agat14 https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=941936 Jose Narciso de Melo https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=945387 manhquang https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=567624 Mans https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=469510 milad1994 https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=544384 lisovoy28 https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1011767 Title: Re: ANN Thread Bumper/Spammers: Vitor Services Post by: ovcijisir on August 26, 2019, 08:37:31 PM I stumbled upon this huge bump group with 45 accounts so far, and then i saw that you already reported members from probably the same group. ~ I would add these accounts on the list - looks like they are activated a week ago, but made year or two ago (one is even made back in 2011) maddog2013 https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1370688 umarashraf https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=934775 Lirabit https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=962280 rana saqlain https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=934638 gerfercar https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1362111 mayday60508 https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=631567 moesoh https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=802784 pleja3 https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=557010 raja399 https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1839255 komalc660 https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=956778 DE https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=788534 tasoncool https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=432060 devod https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1304599 Ruudinuustik223 https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1007976 gerfercar https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1362111 dannycorta https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=788598 dreameh https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1262421 edwjomoz https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=647329 vshet78 https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1078278 ncrodrigues https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1046348 ninejewels https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1004378 wahyuaji https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=960881 ibrahimovitch https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1832428 zalman2015 https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=990104 Rosiana https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1070114 lukashrd https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=919076 PETECA https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1018206 edwjomoz https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=647329 vshet78 https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1078278 walley - interesting - this account is made in 2011 https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=42343 wahyuaji https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=960881 wahyuzein https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=984300 moesoh https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=802784 Moon2018 https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=972422 komalc660 https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=956778 tasoncool https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=432060 gerfercar https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1362111 Title: Re: ANN Thread Bumper/Spammers: Vitor Services Post by: JollyGood on September 10, 2019, 10:51:20 AM Its against forum rules to pay people to write comments in your thread, isn't it? The connections I provided between these accounts and Vitor Services should be enough to have all of them banned. You see, tagging them (neutral or whatever) is really a waste of time because it's not stopping them to bump those services. Plus, they can just start churning out new accounts no problem. They seem to be using aged newbie accounts, so they likely bought them from somebody in bulk. For example, the accounts currently commenting on Blue Hill Mining: Name Registration Date jiestringer23 (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=912683) October 26, 2016 Gregonade (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=687121) December 13, 2015 kristall1bux (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=448477) February 17, 2015 Anyway, whatever we can do to slow them down would be a good thing. Excellent work. The community needs more like you :) Got to say you have put a lot of effort in to your research, thank you for all your efforts. As you stated, if we can slow these scammers down and force them to re-think their strategy then it is a partial victory of those fighting the scams. Title: Re: ANN Thread Bumper/Spammers: Vitor Services Post by: Rikafip on December 19, 2019, 03:15:59 PM Seems like Vitor Services have no intention of stopping with Ann thread bumping, this is latest finding. All those accounts are connected with their old customer, Cocos-BCX so that's why i think it is most likely the same people behind this as well.
https://i.postimg.cc/rs533vwC/Vitor-services.png As you can see, this group of accounts consistently writes on the same Ann threads, and obviosuly not an coincidence. Accounts Vasil2312 (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=2706635) portioberra (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1744206) koraman (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=2704086) sabeur11 (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=2704286) chlorasconla (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1734332) roisenebod (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1738161) cuberbuller (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=406699) crisjho (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1054954) plunerimti (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1748207) edinvade (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1740830) vuinholiu (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=2699624) Chinthang9 (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=2702600) onlineworld (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=820439) vovanxx (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=398411) Gabry9588 (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=2707974) Dinovanhuten (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=2702124) tural882 (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=802388) Ann threads Cocos-BCX (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5139871.0) Pawtocol (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5199887.0) AMZ Coin (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5209641.0) Karvuon (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5197451.0) LegendSiam (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5200187.0) Amazonians (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5186417.0) Commonwealth (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5201899.0) KABN (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5133029.0) Multichain Ventures (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5208585.0) |