Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/Basketnews/Archive

Suspected sockpuppets




Evidence submitted by Yworo
All accounts appear to be single-purpose accounts, only or mostly editing the article Craig McKenzie. Two (Boston553 and Deriel1) were created recently, since the notability of the article was challenged, and have removed the AfD template as has the puppetmaster. Some have suddenly become active after months of inactivity to "vote" in the related AfD. Several (Basketnews, Italianbasket, Dem2000) were created over a short period of time in May/June 2008. Most telling I think is this edit comment from Basketnews: "We will continue to undo until you improve article or allow others with citations needed and depending on outcome of your discussion. It is odd that this article is your only concentration." Strange that he would use the word "we" unless either sockpuppetry or meatpuppetry is involved. Looking over the history of the article, I suspect a much larger sockfarm has been created over time, as several other editors in the history of the article who also seem to be single-purpose, but as they have not (yet) edited recently, I've not included them. Yworo (talk) 16:28, 3 June 2010 (UTC)

As expected, another dormant account wakes up and !votes in the AfD. Also, two of the suspected sock have now also referred to themselves as "we". Deriel1 and Sportswikiman, who also seems to make a threat against Wikipedia. Yworo (talk) 23:11, 3 June 2010 (UTC)

Another newly created account,, seems to be following the nominator of the AfD on Craig McKenzie around and undoing his edits. See user's edit history. Yworo (talk) 18:34, 4 June 2010 (UTC)

Comments by accused parties
See Defending yourself against claims.

Comments by other users
Evidence submitted by Choowiki

Added Valpoalumedu. This user created an account shortly after the AfD was added and deleted and engaged in edit warring. Insulted new user to wikipedia after user added AfD template. Like the other sockpuppets, not able to add inline citations and have a similar style of writing (see comments and talk that include personal insults towards a new user). --Choowiki (talk) 22:29, 4 June 2010 (UTC)

Clerk, patrolling admin and checkuser comments
Accounts blocked and tagged. Basketnews blocked 3 months.  E lockid  ( Talk ) 12:09, 5 June 2010 (UTC)

Evidence submitted by Eurohoopsters
I am self submitting my account "Eurohoopsters" for sockpuppeting. I was unaware of how egregious this offense is in the community. I am truly sorry and please do what you need to this account as well. "Eurohoopsters (talk) 21:11, 6 June 2010 (UTC)"

Comments by accused parties
See Defending yourself against claims.

Clerk, patrolling admin and checkuser comments
Moved from Sockpuppet investigations/Eurohoopsters with formatting changes.  E lockid  ( Talk ) 00:10, 7 June 2010 (UTC)

Blocked and tagged. As a comment, this is a very nice step up.  E lockid  ( Talk ) 00:10, 7 June 2010 (UTC)