Bitcoin Forum

Economy => Scam Accusations => Topic started by: nutildah on June 30, 2019, 03:48:55 PM



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.
Yes, that's what I know too however banning them is basically any mods call. Not sure what instructions they follow, they must have a set of instructions.

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.
Yes, that's what I know too however banning them is basically any mods call. Not sure what instructions they follow, they must have a set of instructions.

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.
Yes, that's what I know too however banning them is basically any mods call. Not sure what instructions they follow, they must have a set of instructions.

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)