Guide on avoid red tags by supporting already known scam projects

[tranthidung]

- Russian version: Пoкpacкa зa пиap мoшeнничecкиx пpoeктoв (by madnessteat)
- Filipino version: GABAY UPANG MAIWASAN ANG RED TAG MULA SA PAG-PROMOTE NG KILALANG SCAM(FILIPINO) (by sheenshane)

I am re-organizing the thread.

Objectives

• To help newbies avoid jumping immediately into scam projects’ promotions;
• To guide newbies fundamental steps to check scam projects;
• To help newbies avoid getting red tags (of course).

Table of contents

• Reasons of red tags
• Signals of scam project’s campaigns
• To-Do Steps to avoid red tags
• How to use forum search funtion?
• How to use key words for your search?
• Remove signature and avatar several hours after DT members warned that projects/ bounties are scam
• Where to find scam projects?

Reasons of red tags
1) Join and support already known scam projects;
2) Posts with ref links outside the place for signature or phishing links (violates the #4 and #6 rules there: Unofficial list of (official) Bitcointalk.org rules, guidelines, FAQ); ^[1]
3) Joining pumping services and get rewards from scam teams;
4) Abusements on forum rules (such as merit sellings, account sellings, trust sellings, and so on);
5) Scamming others to steal their money via loans, etc.
However, in the topic, I only mention about red tags due to supporting already known scam projects.

Signals of scam project’s campaigns
(1)   Extremely high payment rates;
(2)   Easy requirements to get paid;
(3)   Bounty managers with red tags;
(4)   Unstransparent payments after payday, and lack of promise-kept on their payment rates.

To-Do Steps to avoid red tags
(1)   Checking the Trust & Flag history of bounty managers or creators of bounty topics;
(2)   Checking the Trust history of project’s main account in the forum;
(3)   Searching feedbacks/ warnings of community about their project’s trusworthy;
(4)   Investigating feedbacks/ warnings of bounty hunters about their payment history for participants;
(5)   Checking spreadsheets for past weeks;
That's all for bounty hunters.
If you are investors and want to dig deeper in order to make sure that you will invest your money into a good, unscammed one, the following topic will be helpful for you:
Guidelines, how to spot a scam ICO & report effectively. ✔ (by Coolcryptovator)

For my topic, I only guide you those five steps above. Now, let's get started.
(1) Step #1: Checking the Trust history of bounty managers or creators of bounty topics
Let's take the case of recently hot scam bounty, DuckDice.io as a case study.
This one, DuckDice PR is an alt of Duck Dice project, got red trust after opening scam signature campaign.
With - 32 red trust, in total.
Check trust of Duck Dice PR there: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=2536146

I added the additional guide for Flag:

LoyceV developed his Trust Flag Viewer page, on http://loyce.club/trust/flags/?MD
Steps to check Flags and Flag status of the user you want to investigate Flag history before making deals/ trades.

• Visiting the page: http://loyce.club/trust/flags/?MD
• Choosing the newest version: by looking at the date of creation. ^[a]
• Using search with keywords: Ctrl F > Entering these keyword combination: flagged + "username of the user you want to investigate"
• Paying attention on total number of flags, type of flag, and status of flag (Active or not). ^[c]

^[a]: As of writing, the current version is this one: http://loyce.club/trust/flags/225.html
For example:
theymos flagged newsilike as the first user was flagged in the forum (?), here.

So if you use the Trust Flag Viewer page (of LoyceV), and keyword combination: "flagged newsilike", you will see the flag created by theymos highlighted (in Green).

^[c]: Total number of flags; type, and status of flags:
Next to the keyword combination is the type of flag (type one for this case).

How many flags newsilike has gotten so far: 1 (see the image)

You can recheck the result by visiting the Trust page of newsilike: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=trust;u=157669

Advantages of the Trust Flag Viewer page (compare to the personal trust page for each user on the forum):

• You don't have to log-in your account to see it.

LoyceV's (Personal) Trust Flag viewer [daily updates]
Trust flags

(2) Step #2: Checking the Trust history of project’s main account in the forum
DuckDice.io (main account)
The trust history shown red, with -256 red trust.
Check trust of DuckDice.io there: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=917361
If you don't known how to find main account of projects, please clicking on links to ANN topics. Then, you will easily know which ones are main accounts by looking at the OP's author of ANN topics.
Most of bounty topics give link to ANN topic in the OP.

(3) Step #3: Searching feedbacks/ warnings of community about their project’s trusworthy
Both, got red trusts. It's so bad, generally.
Then, let's dig deeper by looking at their trust history. Clicking on the Trust link at profile page of each account, it will lead you to trust history of eaech one.
- DuckDice.io's trust history: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=trust;u=917361
- Duck Dice PR's trust history: https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=trust;u=2536146
Histories are both badly, too.

(4) Step #4: Investigating feedbacks/ warnings of bounty hunters about their payment history for participants
4.1. Looking at past bounties topics and comments of participants
- For example: [CLOSED] DuckDice.io Signature and Avatar campaign! (opened on February 01, 2017, 04:12:55 PM, closed and locked on February 28, 2017, 06:36:35 PM). Please remember that the old bounty topic locked for no reason. No one knows because the bounty manager did not disclose reasons.
- The newest one that opened days ago, has been locked too.

4.2. Using search with key words (if you don't find anything negative in their past bounty topics)
Details mentioned below.

(5) Step #5: Checking spreadsheets for past weeks
- If campaigns have publicly spreadsheets, at first it is transparent and good.
- Next, check the spreadsheet and see whether they pay for their participants in the past or not.
How to do this? Copying address of one arbitrarily chosen participant, and pasting it into the explorer to see past transactions.
If they really paid for their supporters, they are good.
If they did not pay, one more bad thing found.



How to use forum search funtion?
There you go: [Tips] Guide for forum search (by coly20032003)


How to use key words for your search?
For scam investigation, I highly recommend to use these key words:
- scam
- scam accusation
- exit scam
- scam bounty
- Two essential words:
     +The name of your interest project
     + bitcointalk.
Let's see results with some combination of keywords:

Remove signature and avatar several hours after DT members warned that projects/ bounties are scam

It is a very important step.
If the campaign you joined has not warned as scam at the start, but days or weeks later, DT members tag it as a scam one, and warned that participants should stop supporting it. You should remove all your signature and avatar hours later.
It is un-official rule, but I think DT members will allow you around 72 hours to remove signature and avatar, before tagging you with red trust.
I will add a image of red-tagged case due to keep supporting scam project after received warning from DT members. When I saw a case, I will add it here

Where to find scam projects?

• Scam burster club (since September 2019) (The list is on my to-do list, and will be updated next weeks).

Reference:
1)    Be careful of not getting red-tags by advertising a known scam in your signature (by Cashi)
2)   [Tips] Guide for forum search (by coly20032003)
3)   Alt of DuckDice.io which was tagged for scam (by Coolcryptovator)

^[1]

Nowhere. Affiliate links (also known as referral links) are not allowed to be in a post anywhere on this forum. You can however have them in your signature.

Honestly, I made my mistake by applying to join DuckDice campaign. I am human, so I made mistakes, it's normal and likely acceptable if I don't repeatedly make it.
Therefore, I think that others can make same mistake and the topic will be helpful for so many forum users.

[1715287570]

1715287570

[1715287570]

1715287570

[Kopyleft]

Reasons of red tags
1) Join and support scam projects;

Promoting a project which turns out to be scam is not worthy of a red trust (this is my opinion), except it can be proven that the user had information about the scam, or found out at a later time and did not expose the developers.
It's possible to unknowingly enter a promotion campaign for a scam project.

[tranthidung]

Promoting a project which turns out to be scam is not worthy of a red trust (this is my opinion), except it can be proven that the user had information about the scam, or found out at a later time and did not expose the developers.
It's possible to unknowingly enter a promotion campaign for a scam project.

The topic has been under construction.
Anyway, thanks for your contribution.

1) Join and support already known scam projects;

[Crypto-DesignService]

You should change the title to passive phrase like "Guide to avoid getting red tagged before joining sig. campaigns". It is more appealing to read.

'GUIDE TO AVOID RED TAGS
DUE TO PROBABLE LACK OF KNOWLEDGE, CAREFULLNESS, AND ABUNDANT GREEDINESS'

I find this phrase incomplete and lacking of something.
'Due to lack of knowledge, carelessness and greediness...' you need to add something at the end that points out what to finish your sentence. I also fixed some of the words you used.

Hope this helps!

[tranthidung]

You should change the title to passive phrase like "Guide to avoid getting red tagged before joining sig. campaigns". It is more appealing to read.

'GUIDE TO AVOID RED TAGS
DUE TO PROBABLE LACK OF KNOWLEDGE, CAREFULLNESS, AND ABUNDANT GREEDINESS'

I find this phrase incomplete and lacking of something.
'Due to lack of knowledge, carelessness and greediness...' you need to add something at the end that points out what to finish your sentence. I also fixed some of the words you used.

Hope this helps!

Thank you, fella.
I have still thought of relevant tittle for my topic.

[cabalism13]

Maybe I can add this to the "Reasons of Red Tags":

Having a rude and impolite behavior against DTs, Admins, and the current System

Nevermind the quote, pal.
Maybe this quote will do... For you have only mentioned "already known scam"

Introducing/Initiating/Offering Fake Services

[tranthidung]

Having a rude and impolite behavior against DTs, Admins, and the current System

Nice suggestion, but I would like to know original post of this quote. Where is it?
I will think of it more before adding into the OP. I need more information.
Thank you, cabalism13.

[cabalism13]

Having a rude and impolite behavior against DTs, Admins, and the current System

Nice suggestion, but I would like to know original post of this quote. Where is it?
I will think of it more before adding into the OP. I need more information.
Thank you, cabalism13.

I just quoted it, it's from my own Brain, though its kinda little but it has some infos And actually it's based from the reality in which users who lacks respect for the other are getting tagged. But still they can appeal for it if they're given a chance, just like what marlboroza and The Pharmacist has done before.

[Cashi]

2) Posts with ref links or phising link in signature

Referral link in your signature is allowed, it's only not allowed to use it in a normal post to avoid spamming your referral link in every sub-board.

Source:

Nowhere. Affiliate links (also known as referral links) are not allowed to be in a post anywhere on this forum. You can however have them in your signature.

[tranthidung]

You well pinpointed, Cashi. I updated the OP will clearer and more exactly details.
One sMerits goes to you for the helpful post.
Keep up your works and contribution, fella.

< ... >

[kingpin4321]

You should also add trolling and tarnishing of other members reputation wrongfully to your list of reasons of getting tag a good number of users has been giving nagative tag as a result of that.

[The Cryptovator]

Good post for newbies, you deserve merit but unfortunately I am out of smerit. I have put your post here so others merit source will review your post. However I feel you can write more briefly if possible. Newbie should meet and understand how work trust system and what is their responsibility. Newbies also can help us to improve forum. This isn't not only DT responsible to keep forum clean and scam free. Newbie also can help lot. Just try save himself from tag isn't good practice. They need help others also to avoid scam.

[Johnzky]

Reasons of red tags
1) Join and support scam projects;

Promoting a project which turns out to be scam is not worthy of a red trust (this is my opinion), except it can be proven that the user had information about the scam, or found out at a later time and did not expose the developers.
It's possible to unknowingly enter a promotion campaign for a scam project.

I believe that theres something happen in this campaign

https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5102953.0

In which the participants has given 72 hours to remove their signatures or else they will be painted in red,i dont know if i missed something but this sounds as what OP says are right

In here the issue been discussed
https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5103053.msg49461648#msg49461648

[Harlot]

Being part of a scam campaign is not the only thing you can get red tag on while being part of any campaign. Things such as

• Shilling the campaign/project
• Having two or more accounts in one campaign
• Spamming
• Plagiarism

These are also one of the common mistakes being done by campaign participants and I think its more common then being part of a scam campaign. Your guide is good but I think you need to add more content as there is really more to it than what you have included so far.

[lobcmt2]

I can not disagree with those three reasons.

• Shilling the campaign/project
• Having two or more accounts in one campaign
• Spamming

This one, I disagreed.
You should know that plagiarism is the most common reasons of permanent bans.
Whenever plagiarism found by admin/ mods/ user, your account will get permanent ban.
No chance for saying excuse with plagiarism.

• Plagiarism

[tranthidung]

Thank you for your help.
sMerits come to me today, one of them come from you.

Good post for newbies, you deserve merit but unfortunately I am out of smerit. I have put your post here so others merit source will review your post.

This is a valuable suggestion, that I will take into my deeply consideration.
The new trust system is complicated one, and it takes time for me to write such a informative topic.

However I feel you can write more briefly if possible. Newbie should meet and understand how work trust system and what is their responsibility. Newbies also can help us to improve forum. This isn't not only DT responsible to keep forum clean and scam free.

Sure. If someone known something good, for the forum, for the crypto enthusiasts, especially the following two things, they should help others with their skills, knowledge, and GUIDEs.
- Avoid investing and losing money into scam projects.
- Contribute to improve the forum to become much cleaner (out of spambies), and become a more informative place.
Everyone has their own roles in the forum. Even Newbies can be one of the most important components of the forum.

Newbie also can help lot. Just try save himself from tag isn't good practice. They need help others also to avoid scam.

[tmfp]

Reasons of red tags
1) Join and support scam projects;

Promoting a project which turns out to be scam is not worthy of a red trust (this is my opinion), except it can be proven that the user had information about the scam, or found out at a later time and did not expose the developers.
It's possible to unknowingly enter a promotion campaign for a scam project.

I disagree, we all have to take responsibility for our actions and this includes researching schemes before promoting them in exchange for payment.
"But I didn't know they were a scam" usually is more accurately written as "I didn't care if they were a scam, I just wanted the money."

[tranthidung]

Exactly!
Nevertheless, it's hard for newbies to investigate projects themselves and identify exactly which ones are scam, which ones are un-scam.
The problem [serious one] occur when they got help from other forum users, DT members (who are more professional), with warning messages:
"Scam project! Stay away from it, and stop supporting it!".
If, after that, they keep supportin scam projects, and ignore all warning messages, they should be tagged red.
It's the final destination for them.

I disagree, we all have to take responsibility for our actions and this includes researching schemes before promoting them in exchange for payment.
"But I didn't know they were a scam" usually is more accurately written as "I didn't care if they were a scam, I just wanted the money."

[JayJuanGee]

Exactly!
Nevertheless, it's hard for newbies to investigate projects themselves and identify exactly which ones are scam, which ones are un-scam.
The problem [serious one] occur when they got help from other forum users, DT members (who are more professional), with warning messages:
"Scam project! Stay away from it, and stop supporting it!".
If, after that, they keep supportin scam projects, and ignore all warning messages, they should be tagged red.
It's the final destination for them.

I disagree, we all have to take responsibility for our actions and this includes researching schemes before promoting them in exchange for payment.
"But I didn't know they were a scam" usually is more accurately written as "I didn't care if they were a scam, I just wanted the money."

I think that excuses for newbie status goes more towards NOT knowing some of the players rather than inabilities to spot a scam or inabilities to recognize facts or employ logic. 

We should not assume that newbies are babes in the woods or that that they are 12 year olds.  There is a certain amount of responsibility that each of us has, whether newbie or not, and each of us has to perform a decent amount of due diligence (as also mentioned by tmfp above) and use both facts and logic without engaging in too much risk and putting on too many blinders with hopium. 

The trust system merely is going to give one additional tool to still take with a grain of salt, but could help newbies or anyone else to weigh the various factors and risks with an additional data point.

[madnessteat]

~snip~
You should know that plagiarism is the most common reasons of permanent bans.
Whenever plagiarism found by admin/ mods/ user, your account will get permanent ban.
No chance for saying excuse with plagiarism.

• Plagiarism

I agree with lobcmt2. Plagiarism and ban evasion is a moderated violation of forum rules. We should send a report to the moderator seeing such violations, and not write a negative feedback to the user.

Here is a good list for which you can get a red tag.