We received some intel about a voting /delegation ring involving sock puppet accounts. I spent a few hours using Python and Excel Fu collecting data and this is what I found so far.
Below is the link that shows a number of accounts involved in the ring. To facilitate mitigation of this threat (accounts are quickly gaining rep. I noticed on is rep 65 already), I have included below a list variable that can easily be put into Python:
['tayyabhussain1','tayyabhussain','amnasheikh','alishapti','rajasaqiminhas','amankaur','kirankhan','brendaava','bijitadevsharma','anjaligupta','anshitasameer','kittynoor','punampatodiagarg','nikkisharma','anujgupta','nishantranjan','anushkasingh','pravirsharda','rupalialo','manishakhan','serocoramallag','anshumangupta','nikitapatil','serkankamci','alexalma','alvinass','haniyakhan','hirraangel','hafsatariq','rupeshdeepak','hinatariq','efatfatima','ayeshakhann','maryamkhan','stylishgirly','shamabaig']
Link to the delegation report:
http://www.steemreports.com/delegation-info/?account=tayyabhussain1
To lay out why I feel this is such a problem, I will leave an excerpt from Steem's whitepaper below.
The challenge faced by Steem is deriving an algorithm for scoring individual contributions that most community members consider to be a fair assessment of the subjective value of each contribution. In a perfect world, community members would cooperate to rate each other's contribution and derive a fair compensation. In the real world, algorithms must be designed in such a manner that they are resistant to intentional manipulation for profit. Any widespread abuse of the scoring system could cause community members to lose faith in the perceived fairness of the economic system.
Using a bid bot on a YouTube link with no context, no commentary, and getting paid for it...
SEEMS LEGIT!
Keep in mind this doesn't even account for the curation rewards this ring is making. High rep accounts, yall think we should give this voting / delegation ring the smack down or what? I can coordinate a flag rewards campaign if the community thinks this is worth pursuing.
How do you tell me if you think this abuse is worth pursuing?
Upvote / Resteem this post if you would like me to start a Steem Flag Rewards campaign for this problem to help attack via incentivized flags.
Including the spreadsheet with the data below for review:
I'm too new to have a real understanding of the ins and outs of this kind of abuse / exploitation but support the efforts of anyone battling what seems to be the Achilles' heel of a decentralized platform such as this. As one who asks no more than to be modestly rewarded for posting good quality content, it's demoralizing to hear how people are plundering the reward pool for contributing nothing of value. At the moment I need to concentrate on getting myself going on the platform, but this problem is not going away and at some point I intend to play my part on the side of the good guys.
@tayyabhussain1 is big reward rapper and This is serious issue when i start complaining and downvoting him he start making new Ids, He has 50 plus accounts here are some @ranbirsingh @rajatpaul @prenasharma @karishmaagarwal @gurav @anushkasingh @anshumangupta/
I request @berniesanders to delegate me 50k Steem power for a week i want to brust him/her right there. He/she has stolen more then 25000$ from the reward pool
Not sure if that’s in SFR’s scope. It’s important to have SFR thought of as a secure flag incentive.
I definitely see value in perusing the abuser’s ring.
Thanks for asking 🙏
I did write about it for situational awareness on the SFR post. I do find it quite abusive of the system so believe it may be worth pursuing. The guy is leaving low effort comments and upvoting then to about $1.47 each. Got a couple of them zeroed with @punkbuster for 0.2 SBD. I don't get anything from it but feels good to put those rewards back into the pool. :)
Thanks, @steemseph!
It's just too damn easy to get free accounts sponsored through steemit.com
I am a testament to that... Amen!