Unique way to cheat the forum- Paid bumping

[aksen]

Thread in question:

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=2275080.0

They have created a listing on a micro job site to bump their thread.

Proofs:





The link in second image is https://goo.gl/rVtz5T which points to above thread. Current task status in image 1 is above 200 which means that more than 200 replies on that threads are paid bumps. If you check posts there, most replies are from new accounts and some even raised doubts on that thread.

[eddie13]

That should merit a ban for the AAN OP no? Other company accounts too?

Sure would put a dent in their eBIT game.. Anywhere to get short on it?

[Quickseller]

That should merit a ban for the AAN OP no? Other company accounts too?

How do you know anyone related to the project is behind this?

[loggin]

How do you know anyone related to the project is behind this?
[/quote]

Nice, so all such threads can do this outside this forum and getaway with this excuse.

[Welsh]

Nice, so all such threads can do this outside this forum and getaway with this excuse.

I think the argument that Quickseller is on referring too is that if an announcement thread was trashed for this without offering an incentive to post competitors of the ICO/Altcoin could sabotage other projects like this. Of course, if the replies don't get removed then it would be giving them free advertising and be pretty counter productive.  

I think it's just best to report posts that are bumping the thread individually unless, the team is offering an incentive for posting in their threads and then the announcement thread would then be removed which effectively deals with both issues.

[LoyceV]

I think the argument that Quickseller is on referring too is that if an announcement thread was trashed for this without offering an incentive to post competitors of the ICO/Altcoin could sabotage other projects like this.

These are of course valid arguments. But meanwhile many threads have thousands of useless comments, all competing to be on the first page. Worst spammer wins!

Suggestion
Would it be possible to ignore Newbie-posts when sorting on "Last post" in the Altcoin boards? That would make it impossible for a Newbie to bump a thread (while they can still post). If needed, this can be increased to higher ranks too.

[botany]

I think the argument that Quickseller is on referring too is that if an announcement thread was trashed for this without offering an incentive to post competitors of the ICO/Altcoin could sabotage other projects like this.

These are of course valid arguments. But meanwhile many threads have thousands of useless comments, all competing to be on the first page. Worst spammer wins!

Suggestion
Would it be possible to ignore Newbie-posts when sorting on "Last post" in the Altcoin boards? That would make it impossible for a Newbie to bump a thread (while they can still post). If needed, this can be increased to higher ranks too.

That would work. It would make the use and throw accounts created just for the purpose of bumping ineffective.
But it seems to be a solution tailored for this particular problem. You would introduce a layer of complexity, without attacking the root cause.

[Welsh]

Suggestion
Would it be possible to ignore Newbie-posts when sorting on "Last post" in the Altcoin boards? That would make it impossible for a Newbie to bump a thread (while they can still post). If needed, this can be increased to higher ranks too.

I quite like this suggestion. Would reduce most of the spam, and make legitimate threads with worthy discussion easier to find. I don't see much harm in it either. I guess we'll have a few people complain about equality but, honestly I think the pros greatly outweigh the cons in this.

That would work. It would make the use and throw accounts created just for the purpose of bumping ineffective.
But it seems to be a solution tailored for this particular problem. You would introduce a layer of complexity, without attacking the root cause.

I'm not normally one for imposing restrictions, but I feel that adding this would be beneficial. You can make a sticky highlighting that newbies can't bump topics, and for those who take no notice of stickies will likely not even notice that the topic isn't getting bumped.

[aksen]

The solution you guys are suggesting here is that the replies made by newbies should be ignored. If that is implemented, these guys will start another campaign asking junior members or above to bump the thread.

In case the thread in question is able to get away with this even after being reported, he will have a good laugh. It will encourage him to do this on large scale or even other thread owners will do the same. These bumps may seem minor violation to some but these expose new members to such scam projects. Since , this is being done through this forum, it is the responsibility of the staff to tackle this.

[Quickseller]

I don’t think shadow banning newbies will be very effective in combating this. Users will not necessarily use low level accounts to make these kinds of posts. I have previously suggested that Ann threads with a post within xx time be displayed in a random order, which would effectively make bumping more than once per day pointless.

We don’t know if the people behind this project are the ones financing this spam, or if it is a compeating project trying to make this coin look bad. Technically speaking, we don’t know that as many people have bumped the thread as the screenshot implies have bumped the thread.

The screenshot says that people must ask at least a 30 word question, so it is unlikely that most of these posts will violate the no low/no content posts rule.

I think the best corse of action would be to make others aware of this practice and not take extreme steps to stomp it out. Trying to stomp out this activity will only create a false sense of security and result in potential investors unaware of the risk this is happening. If potential investors are warned about this behavior, they can take it into consideration when deciding to invest.

[fokinlipat]

I am not sure how much the staff here is interested in finding out the real person behind this project. But if they drop an email to the owner of that website asking for details giving proper reason, they might help. Additionally, they may even such sites to stop approving these type of campaigns.

On some of the micro job sites I have used in past, there are restrictions for creating posts related to certain websites. It must be because those sites complained to that micro job website.

[mobilazy]

Hate to see that cheaters and spammers are winning. And good projects stays in a shade. Many projects ask bounty hunters to do a "bumping" in order to their stakes to be counted.  And now all these paid services. I just disabled [ANN] thread completely in a view settings. Won't step foot there and rather use ICOdrop and similar. Sadly I have to use an information outside of this forum to learn about new crypto projects.

[botany]

I am not sure how much the staff here is interested in finding out the real person behind this project. But if they drop an email to the owner of that website asking for details giving proper reason, they might help. Additionally, they may even such sites to stop approving these type of campaigns.

On some of the micro job sites I have used in past, there are restrictions for creating posts related to certain websites. It must be because those sites complained to that micro job website.

The persons behind the campaign are not important at all. Neither is the product. What matters is whether the announcement thread follows the forum rules and if not how they can be enforced.

[eddie13]

That should merit a ban for the AAN OP no? Other company accounts too?

How do you know anyone related to the project is behind this?

You are right, this would make a great setup to damage your competition..

[Thirdspace]

Nice, so all such threads can do this outside this forum and getaway with this excuse.

it's not an excuse but rather to avoid false accusation

You are right, this would make a great setup to damage your competition..

exactly! that microtask could've been created/paid by its competitors  
this is a very devious, sometimes more effective, way to take down your rival
maybe it's true that the ANN OP might have something to do with it, but we need to find proof

[aksen]

exactly! that microtask could've been created/paid by its competitors  
this is a very devious, sometimes more effective, way to take down your rival
maybe it's true that the ANN OP might have something to do with it, but we need to find proof

I hope no competitor will do this now because the forum staff does not care about such cases or is not in position to confirm the abuse as it is outside the forum. And in such a case, who would like to pay to give free bumps (more exposure) to their campaigns.

[Zapo]

I think the argument that Quickseller is on referring too is that if an announcement thread was trashed for this without offering an incentive to post competitors of the ICO/Altcoin could sabotage other projects like this.

These are of course valid arguments. But meanwhile many threads have thousands of useless comments, all competing to be on the first page. Worst spammer wins!

Suggestion
Would it be possible to ignore Newbie-posts when sorting on "Last post" in the Altcoin boards? That would make it impossible for a Newbie to bump a thread (while they can still post). If needed, this can be increased to higher ranks too.

Really like this suggestion!

I'm up for this.

[Thirdspace]

I hope no competitor will do this now because the forum staff does not care about such cases or is not in position to confirm the abuse as it is outside the forum. And in such a case, who would like to pay to give free bumps (more exposure) to their campaigns.

that's what they have in their minds, forum staff or mod won't do extra mile to check outside (unless provided by users)

And in such a case, who would like to pay to give free bumps (more exposure) to their campaigns.

why wouldn't they if they feel that would get rid the competitor easily and draw more attention to his own project
they are allocating a lot money on bounty etc, why not throw a couple thousands on this 'malicious bumping'
on the image it shows 229/³²², so only cost him $32.2 (322*$0,1)

but it doesn't rule out the possibility that it could be initiated by the ANN owner itself
need some solid proofs and probably quite hard to find in this case

[loggin]

but it doesn't rule out the possibility that it could be initiated by the ANN owner itself
need some solid proofs and probably quite hard to find in this case

Not very hard, staff here can contact the webmaster of that micro jobs site and then ask the details of the person posting this job . Then it can be matched with the ANN owner and this can be confirmed. It will take few minutes and help us get rid of a scammer here.

Many members here do not understand the dept of this problem. A member cheating a signature campaign affects oen person , the person paying for that campaign. But in this case, all people buying that coins because of more visibility due to this paid bumping are affected.

[hilariousetc]

Hard to believe people will waste at least six minutes of their time for a mere ten cents  . Yet another reason why there should be some restrictions on brand new accounts.

I don’t think shadow banning newbies will be very effective in combating this. Users will not necessarily use low level accounts to make these kinds of posts. I have previously suggested that Ann threads with a post within xx time be displayed in a random order, which would effectively make bumping more than once per day pointless.

The ones who are only hearing about bitcointalk through that listing will be using brand new accounts. None of them are going to buy an account to do so. At ten cents per post it's probably only brand new desperados that are even going to bother with it.

but it doesn't rule out the possibility that it could be initiated by the ANN owner itself
need some solid proofs and probably quite hard to find in this case

Not very hard, staff here can contact the webmaster of that micro jobs site and then ask the details of the person posting this job . Then it can be matched with the ANN owner and this can be confirmed. It will take few minutes and help us get rid of a scammer here.

Why don't you waste your time doing that and see how helpful it is. I doubt they'll even reply and the info probably wouldn't be relevant or helpful. All they'll be able to give you at most is the email address or IP they signed up with and I dount they'll have used one that can be tied directly back to their ICO.