Case 7: raping the reward pool with 1700+ accounts - things are getting serious!steemCreated with Sketch.

in #steemit-police7 years ago (edited)

Sherlock Holmes Header

Accusation:

Randomly scanning the blockchain for suspicious activities, a chain of votes on a seemingly innocent spam comment caught my eye. 19 votes from accounts with random-syllable usernames on a days old comment on a month old post.

Someone's clearly spamming for profit. I really did not expect this to lead to such an extend as it did, though!

The Findings

Observing the activities over the past few days I was able to connect a huge network of more than 1700 accounts involved in this industrially scaled farming operation! And the number is still growing!

It will be impossible and boring to describe how I dug into this chronologically, so I shall describe the situation structurally:

There are hundreds and hundreds of accounts doing exactly what I had witnessed in my "Accusation" above. These accounts transfer their rewards over to a few hub-accounts, these accounts then function as an extraction point for the ill-gotten gains, transferring the accumulated money out of the platform.

These are the "extraction points" of the network:

@imenosblis; @ramoxingfruc; @unbuinibel; @malmbertdorla; @fawealmati; @simphifinking; @findtigeharg; @pidarlambnews

A look at their wallets will show the vast array of accounts sending in money, and it shows they have already successfully extracted 198 SBD.

That doesn't sound like much, but consider this has only been running for roughly 3 weeks, all the gains are only the SBD share of 2 weeks of farming, and with every vote, the SP behind this network grows, exponentially strengthening this operation!

If this is not stopped, it will cause major damage!!!

And no, we can't just mute and ignore this - flags are needed to protect the reward pool from rape!!!

Luckily initiatives like @spaminator and @sadkitten have also started picking up on these, and in fact, the @sadkitten AI has already started flagging comments in this farm automatically!

Give @sadkitten a round of applause please!

What's worrying, all these accounts have been registered though steemit, so they should have been checked!

Now you know why the signup process has slowed down and where all these new users are coming from. I think something needs to be done about this at the mothership!

yours,
Sherlock

P.S.: just to give you an impression on the extend of this network, here are 95% of the accounts identified, sorry if it's breaking your scroll-wheel!

The other 5% will remain undisclosed but under monitoring to check the growth of the network as it continues operating!

@brilboanihearth; @fifzeilime; @sfulfimari; @stinunkdotaf; @lieremysdand; @esouttadep; @plorcomqudoll; @racalvoroo; @tingreaclover; @pursunete; @beltideccheapf; @adrepreros; @promearlasque; @blacanhortue; @cirdystpanqui; @ricwhiquartund; @tfulovnuero; @joitoucara; @ranicuslo; @handwenhoma; @cieperero; @padviotere; @singtungvesme; @torsbubgapam; @pimanbacktu; @neiquikurwea; @exeznapubb; @zingmarmate; @linkbetumy; @sweettilrama; @costvirantai; @itmorake; @libcutumlo; @nihelpile; @thmatacetseo; @vernicamu; @volkduscompcard; @ninghasleni; @vernilyri; @reacmoosefor; @conlibuckhand; @neypackrigast; @enelarin; @tisubkewi; @retenfeme; @kedelolof; @lequasaltsmal; @naeblooddisga; @liledimy; @reefureafi; @dianutoficl; @consdeschyde; @pracmorrsquanpon; @asprespiolow; @cutthstarulan; @haikaremo; @vairecmemat; @tongditheso; @prefortirroks; @itgadocro; @gihudawbia; @tronlutetab; @pabloposi; @imunlego; @baytisyrga; @exsaulinpart; @apoutpronrel; @refervoilcan; @findditraithe; @churchbarksysri; @dersterssasvi; @ysnarichli; @fuddbrunemem; @decmirado; @netpirica; @sofdebtvanvent; @skatvovitu; @timasepho; @lipelpergslim; @raicatepitt; @sweatimhotsio; @coupvegobters; @scurotenin; @projofaser; @gieponwordsas; @nessdecomppres; @wetvamacmins; @sebuviry; @sweependitho; @beuminspuffscen; @ulverdiuprer; @worktechowste; @gistteducreapp; @specdufquoje; @athlequri; @orrserofprof; @acnilbatchmac; @naubitinfsand; @siocacusvo; @baytrophedim; @kaysuntiovi; @sinelosno; @mendynanza; @icrennife; @lektrofootsi; @gehelcoland; @reumsikeluc; @dahhaboudi; @cobtaconney; @lighmogadedp; @glasmenigre; @thanklandcarvo; @wampterframlei; @grecanwelcho; @grafsuneti; @renoliroo; @tailictflowneo; @backninpersres; @rusverires; @loijacksubsa; @pierusaddrep; @gerengrori; @cluterresverb; @fimosise; @skyjenevcas; @blinimritel; @threadrantener; @hynoseares; @hinansucu; @neymesujub; @restsofulbio; @esmarnitic; @emmasheare; @hurtcomptuther; @backrojona; @prolterpseto; @reacurdticwtons; @sobcbangsporach; @tofenscyre; @pinsviglessspin; 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@atkilase; @pomaluweb; @burgcatopdia; @kinmynethin; @kacoterba; @helligiwild; @tiapercurdca; @licimasve; @mapancbsersour; @quigserimab; @xaelikati; @precodwalbo; @tricisadal; @keyjourriru; @maustoresbren; @quipoeriatoi; @benarupsa; @pehocarge; @alrereco; @presjencesy; @gavitarmogg; @petemmophy; @liasimpsarfai; @fecmanalbblog; @steafrandelok; @pinensiras; @gastmicsandming; @parttiderich; @trepunjikma; @salastuto; @termiworlvers; @riduhgyzstel; @cusodocre; @tiegeboli; @diffmohaskarn; @ventioleme; @riehalcimys; @inchiedistfea; @izlogkaunbik; @avgoabroxsu; @vicudida; @marosenti; @denirasa; @orsonjackpitch; @eariginti; @carbchaftuma; @trelermekin; @sertartgarzhong; @beohuntyima; @idatifex; @outalthesmo; @gasarlese; @framenapun; @melheartretom; @anolpenperg; @sennemezca; @verfinktisma; @emuciteb; @mughmenanzo; @owerotin; @stinopsiwee; @spelovcambard; @diohertepa; @isevennu; @aptucrono; @taibackmallce; @restsistesem; @esmeifimark; @diagraphhydbi; @excasfana; @discbuschrestbin; @cosumtingde; @wistbequmas; @tertlicehar; @trouvgarrobu; @ovupunet; @unjoselbma; @ensetwypu; @presigburi; @waitabpazoo; @marnewstaro; @dalnessbere; @tenlavende; @hencvabreto; @buibronsolmi; @armeoblogis; @hicassotis; @lerolihar; @hidiscreper; @alamappo; @procanalul; @baunenobe; @psychaddexmyo; @learolhapswha; @sidelkener; @nieswimxiti; @sneakalines; @turnpirorop; @naraconsmo; @credbamiva; @nespoultslavic; @tabrothoharg; @kettmanlire; @conhafibel; @balseniwea; @ourhilawbgrib; @atepxyboon; @contqahcabill; @scenwecondo; @centphytucomp; @ponsestforde; @scholnikkpowor; @ragdevenrows; @tiwesttwinza; @pencontplifmer; @rucroharous; @theaujohputa; @thusxadinthi; @ranwellcomse; @monsbubizpcor; @lonvertdrumbes; @laschofidiff; @sylabenho; @cardrethogla; @arsiliqan; @natnanuche; @vanamicbi; @hypcompminspu; @crettiburfea; @jetrutumu; @provimatub; @flabunelat; @inablecra; @heartfibrewelt; @alvelibook; @speccossupi; @roilantereal; @tiabloghotwi; @orbetira; @leubecvalgsi; @forscontderme; @crochagentrud; @siladino; @idpidinow; @mibatalo; @fiperdescpric; @litorfhartqa; @vuiwaigusol; @downthistternre; @stattolspamak; @changapabar; @tepsadisfpart; @ransderehe; @liafrothichto; @gritolimga; @memembtesy; @teofranares; @licaphepor; @dentmericont; @czynonrige; @lanthbellcogtong; @planphotasa; @crisvibite; @cafjudgtydisc; @hurdfunniconf; @radxiberto; @tenethomen; @sufchabouto; @helpmuscrama; @lpuralenan; @instalaful; @dasamena; @wrontertele; @weafeeljuggsil; @paccalogou; @uqabhiga; @hamcagentue; @nighgirtgamsi; @dingtinghuksred; @krylachgicosn; @supaddloro; @jantdanmeback; @exschenraftmi; @nelfwarmnicma; @mitmatico; @fulradeci; @tiodervorsto; @flamonlafon; @alupgautu; @freechcokabfo; @pernonpgiran; @tochantova; @retaketti; @conbonsnarthke; @mimulormo; @millwartele; @gistrulite; @cisphaddeza; @retimjatel; @cabtalema; @chiochenriti; @thatechkbouna; @sonaneta; @tucomgiftwi; @giscentmelvi; @oftansewe; @kegemarmo; @sichtfredunsil; @loapendalo; @terrairiaza; @lavswindcilge; @wagevholmsand; @retarimis; @burgprojtirot; @ecganabal; @probiziptab; @niastoptenpho; @sisynmuligh; @spypuninun; @marjarscresnoa; @docknolinkgal; @letzesurtda; @planoninve; @riabachacon; @tiosimadif; @clasarprodsoft; @thernwebscallo; @unreawebba; @heaterphowga; @piegardbuzzcoun; @tromatbranad; @tranalforlang; @backfatufa; @creekepadfi; @chootyvoxti; @analunmar; @pronunvome; @teomareadi; @luocontide; @skorbohubee; @rotomogva; @webcontnipo; @icsaiqate; @exsysxelog; @ropozbanghis; @rausonreja; @quipresrentdi; @runasulgeo; @secjacknitors; @tephytemse; @enalsefec; @swearmanrasi; @cethinrito; @ovmoceba; @dertiohighroll; @tranconliomeo; @vianokonan; @rebemenga; @cheakalbeire; @workcambiwor; @vesfvitido; @vavisembsi; @reobracipca; @mulchadilo; @dazzhatendfec; @nextleanewpfmaw; @voinighterha; @geneandpaco; @prepcasenbui; @porttandemer; @derwphehurhand; @peanolugly; @clerricoubi; @corknarneci; @disthuchilu; @nessjicuflie; @abimrolball; @moraforto; @lauretupe; @parcitimat; @hackflimobpi; @setrapora; @ecineajla; @derlibarnsent; @mocorendie; @loasenfoundbadc; @bonffeterra; 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@denilaslu; @hobbquacambuck; @feidisgecen; @cyrmillrealdio; @rapancstaroph; @abartoavis; @sufnewsbangthe; @hurdbeckterde; @brigunapmi; @enaralan; @studcardcroslan; @probbaltubourf; @verncorvaca; @presormali; @poelative; @klipigkibo; @prinaterflow; @meocompmeni; @leupasgehou; @fabcerpkenba; @hilltaperge; @highverbume; @retlistruffkac; @fesymvilo; @tilojamring; @imeraccfin; @linkcobata; @rebkooforness; @undipresi; @windcomgaure; @planacuabtran; @ennapita; @nessgiguci; @anhiterpe; @garestater; @ovinmade; @specitormai; @lefunddartwall; @terpmapesac; @synnistsapen; @roscrafarsemb; @isdrudacprot; @carfibiten; @peobrokanat; @puchandmemen; @loapalsala; @propunnvesav; @plunexdivpi; @ivreispamab; @chhalnahula; @tsubecovnie; @ronerkeedisc; @viarticenwal; @sandconpouka; @arfanloavo; @waxtirassi; @phrasetalil; @saltrensrenti; @sampzomadist; @liatiamora; @surrothylpei; @raarahesra; @foundnuhari; @hertotosub; @edommasing; @pluninelcho; @blacatsefur; @neudepbullmag; @toistatyscu; @egapablo; @peccentbasssund; 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@laufreemosca; @bunrestdersber; @raipregalme; @reosisbuytick; @ormentiko; @petsocalta; @funcsovidir; @veydacero; @beclitalctheast; @alannoepua; @stylentedgio; @decomliper; @terdistkechec; @lingsuppwinla; @diafertioli; @cocurodi; @bidicellmop; @riracocor; @dolzatife; @chiakrugacep; @neysiotanksend; @kendtherearque; @johndingvolre; @terprotenmill; @harlicansetz; @sitdacewa; @downletcote; @flattexletzzu; @tribexannoe; @ulinovci; @megicerfast; @surmothele; @eqinimga; @blunricomplead; @elgranermi; @vaynursimptrom; @jaffningmoce; @liwebquede; @stelvestnalri; @wachtoufofit; @carhighgokeab; @railotare; @terfweckruthsea; @wittnelewa; @ulerindue; @utsinlalur; @azcrewusto; @schafamacaf; @greslausumatt; @chalkfaweenda; @echnabesvie; @exfredzirnpon; @esterjoycal; @ramibuci; @bestsuppmansvul; @niskafeta; @norefulnei; @nistsubsclusic; @inmulthirsbren; @esadgunrass; @rathougastse; @almaliguan; @lodewimso; @aciwalpleas; @ganebiro; @squalanonev; @gailerncarboa; @mizaceve; @aligapstil; @hendlastkolkcon; @perssidecoun; @dongbajusti; @inharfehlcas; @substhamdata; @sotovunta; @lulogeabco; @critekanro; @toggrenmywind; @twinfacwooowa; @probcalare; @curliregu; @lesumagha; @tadiscpropid; @zeekinrili; @crofutkiader; @inlejunon; @rilifabro; @inpoetrasar; @chronmitili; @ginlittworkza; @dinglittzillco; @tisothankbes; @millcutenru; @tolichurchflav; @menmyetipak; @sweetalmleral; @rapislebo; @onenitem; @viecilinew; @procrowhili; @teabcasaro; @weifotnaco; @elpigpahan; @gadecpersce; @iglodunre; @coidiarasu; @keydisimar; @pickcontrisell; @peberseson; @rachmumiwol; @acdabtoscrnav; @knociniqob; @riconmipi; @prolmicuaper; @platesviamen; @whittmittecon; @biofronrise; @tilitersrea; @lavelbixo; @pretoutispe; @ifextensa; @svilterpricsti; @nierasare; @jackbagesu; @earilerre; @sulfucona; @blogelamog; @lulicagve; @leilististru; @pharsyncstapna; @countthumero; @conphebiti; @radesptogbi; @poprafthardcab; @spinsubfiltriv; @ciabrazevba; @flicenasnor; @tradununne; @iseluner; @mauterglahpe; @lidasowe; @deyrentjubas; 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@gerrucompmar; @viedenraithrow; @galhaphilud; @thornchenola; @prenleromu; @vilkenssuppvet; @montvirivi; @carvielimen; @provputriebled; @boytasourmo; @bronesunmler; @bifipheca; @ourkobermall; @tosrecisubs; @painiytalre; @sloperunac; @drexatferleo; @prapmidsdisig; @treppenscarding; @utinitten; @nighreappravers; @flourguvenho; @ettothene; @seiplantersbe; @easschoolbuivert; @mingcostsebe; @pheopramopear; @telfarase; @sutubungge; @kecoldispsymp; @maulutbeiwoll; @siewesandcrim; @pennjdederad; @blacdanalbe; @actiecrimdie; @minnussrefpi; @myrtticugo; @ewfovestworl; @plotgorsicfwest; @recceyrodis; @minnussrefpi; @socbeteterp; @idatefix; @giagalenso; @sighrodeftou; @garmobiti; @bevicliosis; @ciebrowotpoc; @tomatiri; @ingichotick; @wordfelsfire; @delagenta; @silinices; @lawralobund; @amximabes; @eplasidca; @reiriojosu; @leslessmendi; @vilsyberco; @vesconcbosu; @missleftkofunc; @swaharapmer; @venpihungcoll; @plosreaurire; @vsersuvibte; @leibeancpore; @vetherciconk; @bueretoval; @cobaristvi; @blazoutunak; @ziboraba; @nieesmakulaf; @joicrucasbai; @apounopsi; @teatsembfrapem; @trothinrotge; @neytintsigqui; @dangthechipdio; @nehoskaper; @profnelecbo; @staphelbookta; @excanerca; @speedisurlap; @granpubguamo; @starevemmil; @tiobumtextlu; @quilatanal; @tightrouburlan; @mumtensgasgcor; @vilsyberco; @acserijo; @inderneupos; @unsenpowrver; @nelpcinoco; @niepleclidol; @dingmalenond; @dominciocis; @enwygebu; @nyarudeking; @secvitacoun; @kwoodedtilaw; @clubafiltio; @dismiroree; @arylgranti; @thinworkconsgar; @madwachece; @tiopolocomp; @eatgedefe; @nextvepober; @ercocurha; @sporfiatalong; @senimaghbigg; @torapyrva; @progliboulen; @highmorrape; @seatttersellcros; @postchrisefbac; @sponsursynthbu; @stifitespa; @tatittorsssur; @amvilapel; @ventehinse; @alelomis; @liotencena; @blowtinglires; @bubbvalonipp; @mothgotithou; @atercage; @goldnibasun; @goiripati; @musscouresre; @niagemitding; @nimliharhy; @tervisure; @crenatuner; @dipedima; @prommulrepil; @rolarkbeatsmag; @surliaswames; @emrobeber; @cuannerenpo; @toolthickpassma; @dazzbaparlie; @thernalanna; @reudiaxyloo; @holbplenovon; @nesstwigasic; @adutetrup; @cycvetipic; @ypzaidepen; @dfonbistzentman; @papovepi; @todeckriri; @inemtopon; @tiadomobste; @cogalica; @komourntarva; @unarathnei; @nephisancbank; @ciohagawelt; @gluceramad; @dawdgoldtowli; @helpbrumbicu; @backtumblili; @simpvorstidiv; @tingmeebtoness; @venciareupenn; @tcomtheemcatchci; @islecurdsu; @lafecpeavic; @suiponesso; @mopobota; @colonglawy; @taicremfazut; @ceuninglami; @starinorgi; @leaporota; @tipogaform; @diaglasanme; @polcningtandte; @arilterquae; @markaonasi; @porreamaril; @volvbranesin; @sacardanel; @missfimisav; @tabdakape; @desclobsvoti; @deimaichiehop; @buipalbtaly; @cievarraha; @greszidefsu; @omnetiwhi; @reiwarcontma; @cecompphoso; @socbeteterp; @tiocrittogun; @feipsychrari; @newsthreadinor; @pratunlali; @lemsretoti; @anbeddispto; @clubatnetself; @boypresindi; @plotgorsicfwest; @atdihypvy; @longlesssembma; @nuitentthershill; @bausimulless; @atbrougconra; @blanalcorso; @riddpatephe; @hambtaserjo; @highmorrape; @dinnirembging; @reiwarcontma; @utinitten; @dicbuwealthgols; @downhandgune; @enicinbig; @kurseparouss; @montnfulpecmei; @pitchwizsodi; @lionawickpost; @exrecroter; @stoutbapami; @hosdericont; @fibliddbersfun; @ronvopacki; @srivmuljuiprof; @glycsenbaser; @tiopolongdrak; @junglivicom; @teosiarione; @mokaderaf; @fettblescanting; @quirescoumat; @soypertapound; @guarfacheckpen; @purragergiu; @lighlilobee; @rimomoto; @timafoxmoutht; @travahinsnow; @swathesnarro; @speakleldame; @eragosun; @lorbageasi; @exponhodgfun; @blunnariper; @riglagadvi; @gedderete; @tenmerale; @mavesesva; @taffdiposo; @vorcbopyre; @bahorribi; @saracite; @tricilurto; @snowfeeeterre; @lankitakcu; @solespile; @nachslinghighmen; @imenitpa; @octrowarva; @tiocammedo; @speedanforlo; @bigwhydoto; @molzebufer; @sisaceboh; @dartintcigo; @tonepoti; @tercmetaread; @vuiferteren; @ryopresmera; @unabemor; @ohmoispinex; @tasebirog; @tingtrowsota; @erfecaces; @ovanuner; @proccheeverfe; @deozatucu; @skyrisspooktinc; @compdrywrala; @reacfangfronim; @eqermabe; @gentwinbrope; @tuirafapo; @fastpankeyda; @repbubbpickdand; @libercgalda; @refalcuura; @labolttoplei; @credinforri; @schooldilofhu; @apmovase; @cawikasra; @iscenciva; @derwjakgatok; @tromtispauti; @vivinessme; @tinscredowhat; @inelomre; @seonoprisenb; @enicinbig; @segoljoytrib; @tainarvathe; @nisensaccchi; @vagiternu; @leatashauning; @consdwelhardso; @obinsnoozex; @imbasworkna; @trabzongcocyn; @geitanutsa; @fuzdederge; @vendmulwasy; @lentsoservnor; @tentdovsraci; @diesmakalson; @unspitawva; @oxessenri; @roytrivadnon; @ehanjave; @semivede; @saubalrere; @tertejaper; @liotiasapa; @viiscufurrol; @ghosmowismi; @hightabuli; @gratsubtgistge; @downhandgune; @downsipasgua; @staransubphe; @sipebblaka; @dieribraco; @roundcensalod; @progranglandvalr; @backtumblili; @daruslave; @crumadomdoor; @emapvilrest; @rinthernlidos; @sporfiatalong; @labolttoplei; @beantsidodpu; @anbeddispto; @burjuncmangui; @sonnmompcrible; @surliaswames; @blasenpenneo; @maureenapab; @quiniggnalga; @niagemitding; @drizseybeworh; @consmontctasfo; @terpoubuzztu; @urateres; @clapopgede; @piorimagfist; @thiamemdoorsbing; @terttourbootsta; @lithocontask; @pechildgranun; @finlewase; @osteevire; @biaphicument; @triganinef; @pancomeate; @creambumenke; @tiovrouwverfci; @proccheeverfe; @vagiternu; @snowfeeeterre; @cupepleja; @distkocensi

SHOCKING, I know!


Have you witnessed similar things yourself?

Don't just ignore it and move on... do something, orlet me know!

I believe this post includes enough information to be convincing, if you have ANY doubts, do not hesitate to question me!

Resteem This For Visibility!

Sort:  

Thinking about making a bot or program so I can flag these guys in mass... Comment spam is seriously getting ridiculous and steemit will die if this doesn't get taken care of now before they gain more SP to upvote themselves..

If you trail @sadkitten 's flags it will have the same effect as we're already doing this

Just because I'm not afraid to look stupid, how do I "trail" @sadkitten 's flags?

You'd need a bot of some kind. I don't have any solution for this, sorry. I know others much have but I do not know of an open source solution.

Probably better would be to delegate some SP to the @sadkitten account which will help us have enough SP to counter all that we come across. It's very dynamic and as we find more spam accounts we will probably need more.

But I see you don't have a large amount of SP anyway, so just resharing posts and getting involved in the discussion might be the best for now.

Thank you 😇

I'm happy to do what I can.

Here's another stupid question - at what point do people have enough sp to start delegating it? I would give some if it helped. It's really important to me as a content creator to see this place looking good.

Obviously this is a big organized effort with the"Mystery 1700" and now you are on it, but if there is anything I can do as a minnow - I want to help.

I answer my own individual spam comments and try to set people right if they are new, but if they are bots, I don't think I am accomplishing anything by replying.

Hi @fitinfun, I just joined here and this spam problem is exactly the first thing than concerned me about this platform. While there are bots doing a decent job, and downvotes do help....it's not enough. New accounts can be created . Kill one head and three more appear. I love the ideas here, but I'm concerned it could lead to nothing. A lot of big users are powering down their steem power which has me concerned Steemit could be showing signs of self-destructing? Although users are growing, how many of these are quality users as opposed to spam accounts? You can read my thoughts on this here https://steemit.com/steemit/@joannajablonka/steemit-is-in-danger-of-self-destruction-why-reddcoin-could-win

"A lot of big users are powering down their steem power which has me concerned Steemit could be showing signs of self-destructing?"

I am on your page exactly. "Kill one head and three more appear" ergh...

Going over to check out your post :)

The idea they had awhile back to make two reward pools one for comments, one for posts is starting to look more attractive. It will not FIX the problem but it will limit its potential damage.

Yes, we need to be on top of this trend asap!

There are a few bots picking this up already, but any new approach can only strengthen the efforts!

Saved for later! Sorry my desk is cluttered already!

That is a splendid idea! It would really help us all. Thank u.

sooo true

Hello @sherlockholmes

I want to commend you for the great work you are doing. It is activities like this that muddies the reputation of this platform.

This is robbery of the highest order, while well meaning steemians are out there trying to grow their blog some people have taken it upon themselves to rape the reward pool.

Keep up the good work, the community is solidly behind you. We are tired of this.

Resteemed

@ogochukwu

please be aware the reward pool is not being sexually tortured.

The danger of an incentivized community like Steemit is that the rewards are real and direct. On Reddit, in contrast, someone might do this with the hope of driving traffic to a landing page (or for useless karma...), but that requires users to trust the domain they're being redirected to etc.

How well we protect Steemit from this will likely decide if it's going to be around long-term or not.

Agreed, and due to the nature of things, the community needs to be actively protecting this growing Utopia!

yes, and we have big plans for bringing this to light and getting all involved in protecting steemit.

Ooooh I would be so curious to know @stellabelle! I'm new to Steemit and my first post was on the future longevity of Steemit if this spam issue doesn' get under conrol (https://steemit.com/steemit/@joannajablonka/steemit-is-in-danger-of-self-destruction-why-reddcoin-could-win). It seems it struck a cord with the community so it is very much on the top of everyone's mind. I read your post about creating a good reputation and I think that is what all of us need to strive for when creating. We just need a better filtering mechanism that doesn't reward the spammers.

Sherlock you have been working hard, very commendable.

Ok so what happens next? We split up into teams and flag like crazy? Or await the signal from upstream?

I think @sadkitten is being highly effective in this case, however, if you find comments that have still pending rewards, any flag that reduces the income of this network helps!

Excellent news! Is @sadkitten your pet?

I am the caretaker of @sadkitten :) Just created a post about it

While I'd like to pet her, no, we are not affiliated, but I am submitting the account list to them.

@sadkitten please reach out to me on steemit.chat

I have forwarded this contact request, though I am myself not entirely sure who runs it, the message should get there!

Incredible find @sherlockholmes! Resteemed for visibility!

WHOOOOOA.... That is so many accounts! I can see how the structure would allow for incremental gains to become exponential in a relatively quick way.... What happens next?

We need to keep the income down by flagging where needed, @sadkitten is doing a good job but has limited SP.

And stay vigilante, there will be ever more of these operations popping up until we stop their success, I am afraid!

I'm afraid that something on this scale requires more than flagging. The Steem team need to do something.

I absolutely agree!

I have learned (from a different yet unreleased case) that users are able to sign up chains of accounts with numbered email addresses under a private mail domain (like 1 - [email protected]) . This should be more than obvious to the account creation process at steemit.com!

This has to be dealt with at a programming level. Are the Steem team aware of this, are they even going to take action? They seem so slow to make other changes on Steemit.

Yes, I am clueless as to how these accounts get through a "manual verification" process.

They seem to not pay very much attention at the mothership!

Sigh... there are a few things around here...

Well, think about it. I cannot possibly be a manual verification process. Steemit would have to hire an army of people to vet the sign ups. So I call BS. It is obviously automated.

Yeah, and not even reasonably so.

In a related case (to be released soon) someone signed up with numbered email addresses on a private domain.

It's no question where the vulnerability lies, but that's nothing we can fix ourselves. So until someone at the mothership wakes up, we'll have to be vigilante!

This is most crucial, kill spam at the source.

I see you found a spammy flag-friend? Any particular reason @thepunisherr is following you?

I tagged you in my previous post actually, I believe he is tailing me. He sent me over 140 messages for .14 SBD and flagged two of my posts for around -160. It's because he offered me an upvote and resteem to his 6000+ followers and I called him out.

Yes, that account has been making the rounds now.

We will make sure not to run out of SP on this task. There are several whales who recognize their responsibility to their investment and are willing to help, and Steemit Inc. delegation may also be an option.

This sounds like good news!

Yes, that's from that whole ongoing noganoo drama. Let's not get into that sigh

This is the one thing that worries me about the value of the steem coin.

If the market believes that too many individuals are gaming the system, the perceived value of the currency will drop.

That's one of the reasons why we need to try and combat these cheats!

Which is precisely why Steemit needs to ACTIVELY PURSUE building a reputation (especially among the "penny miners" of the web) as a platform that is RUTHLESS about any kind of automated (and other) gaming of the system. If we can build a reputation as being "not profitable" for that kind of activity... then perhaps we CAN have a true game changer here.

by the time stinc gets around to that, and wrangling their chosen witnesses, calibrae will be up and running and I've already designed rules that will shut down this nonsense before it even gets started. I've been flagged to hell over calling out the early stake miners and how badly they distort the platform, to the point that I am getting the point:

Go fork yourself!

Seriously. Stinc doesn't care. They will just build their behemoth RPC update and upgrade their servers and app developers will be left without the ability to run their sites anymore, unless they depend on steemit.

It's quickly turning into myspace, this place.

I came across a post yesterday 271 thousand votes for comments, payout 540 Dollars

Have a look at the votes in the comments

https://steemit.com/ecology/@ecoworld/1942-2016-72-years-of-nuclear-part-1

This is absolutely insane!

Thanks for bringing it to my attention, this needs a closer look!

P.S.: A similar case with numbered comments happened a while ago before I opened this account, Might have been around the same time... I'll keep you posted if I find anything.

Wow, that account was really milking the system.

Yikes! Once again great detective work, I'm amazed and horrified at the scale of this operation. I'm glad there's already a bunch of anti spam accounts, but it's clear we still need more power to fight this bullshit.

We do, and it's an uphill battle... but it is showing some signs of success!

Well well well... "Elementary my dear watson".
Nicely done @sherlockholmes i see this as the work of well programmed and synchronized bots.

Its crazy whats going on here... It could be the programmer has seen a flaw in the steemit structure and is all out to exploit it.

Truly, if this is left unchecked, the puppeteer behind this racket will be raking in hundreds of thousands of SBDs....

From analysing a few of the accounts you posted, it is obvious the puppeteer is still experimenting this technique as he carefully picks very old posts, which attracted no votes or comments or interest during their 7 days payout period, and this of course was purposely done with the intention that his activities will go unnoticed by the steemit enforcement units, at least until a time that they build up sufficient SBDs (whale status) in particular accounts which are probably still undiscovered by @sherlockholmes, and then they can begin to cause real havoc on the system to their advantage when they start flexing their whale muscles.

you're quite correct, and the network I've been able to identify is not the only one, albeit, hopefully a particularly large one.

The pattern you correctly describe can be seen in numerous smaller operations. That's why it's so important to get AI recognition on this like @sadkitten is attempting.

More importantly though, the guys at the steemit HQ need to work on the account verification, essentially they are sponsoring operations like these by not vetting their signups properly!