Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/Film Fan/Archive

29 September 2013

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FilmFan tried changing title in Titash Ekti Nadir Naam, was reverted, started an RM, was opposed (even an editor who supported changed his vote) and suddenly this IP jumped in with a support vote. His first post in Wikipedia was at Talk:Titash_Ekti_Nadir_Naam, later he voted in few more RMs to prove, it was not a single purpose account, might be a Gaming the system Tito ☸ Dutta 13:55, 29 September 2013 (UTC)

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Clerk, CheckUser, and/or patrolling admin comments
. Film Fan is already indefinitely blocked. I see little purpose in doing anything with the IP who only edited for one day on September 29. I'll leave this open in case there are further comments.--Bbb23 (talk) 15:00, 12 October 2013 (UTC)
 * Agreed with the above. This has been open a few weeks now without further comments, so I'm closing this. Sh i r ik  ( Questions or Comments? ) 19:21, 12 October 2013 (UTC)

28 October 2013

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The new account was created almost exactly three days after Film Fan was blocked. He immediately began pursuing the same kind of edits that Film Fan was doing: uploading and edit warring over film posters (examples: File:The Good Dinosaur.JPG; File:Free Birds poster.jpg; File:Rio 2 Poster.JPG). He has also uploaded posters at a new file name and nominated the existing file for F5 deletion, same as Film Fan: File:Diana film poster.jpg becomes File:Diana poster.jpg. Like Film Fan, he is particular about the wording of file names and has requested several files to be re-named (,, for example – on his second day of editing). Diannaa (talk) 14:53, 28 October 2013 (UTC)

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 * 1) Request for article moves as displayed here Talk:Titash Ekti Nadir Naam, along with support for consensus started by Film Fan here. Edits to posters along with repetition of edit warring behavious shown by Film Fan over at Files. Plus same habit of removing contents from talk page, unlike the previous instance he's archiving them. 1.  Sohambanerjee1998  16:27, 28 October 2013 (UTC)
 * 2) TBF's first edit was to CeeLo Greens template, to change the name for which he held a request for move. 5th edit a request for file move, I repeat in 5th edit! Knowledge about policies in 9th edit.  Sohambanerjee1998  06:04, 29 October 2013 (UTC)
 * 3) I suspected the same thing only this morning, with a similar edit pattern to FF. I noticed that User:Dianna had blocked FF and brought this concern to their attention. Thebestfeet started to upload film posters almost straight away, move pages and edit articles that FF did. Take a look at the recent edit history on Blue Is the Warmest Colour, for example, both in the article space and the talkpage. A discussion already about film postsers and "colour vs. color" per an old debabte FF had. Also TBF blanks their talkpage in the style of FF after a new comment is posted, albeit using the archive function. And then there is this discussion about film posters that TBF contributed too. Again, finding it hard to believe a newbie editor would jump in here straight away.  Lugnuts  Dick Laurent is dead 09:08, 31 October 2013 (UTC)
 * 4) Nobody told me I was being investigated...? Anyhoo, I am not a sockpuppet. My previous experience on wiki was without a registered account. If I'm doing anything wrong, talk to me. Thebestfeet  (talk) 11:43, 1 November 2013 (UTC)
 * So just out of interest, how did you find this discussion?  Lugnuts  Dick Laurent is dead 11:55, 1 November 2013 (UTC)
 * , same question here too. Plus would you be honest enough please provide that previous IP?  Sohambanerjee1998  12:12, 1 November 2013 (UTC)
 * , I think he is stalking my or 's contributions. Thats a habit he picked from his old account which got indeffed, as they say old habits die hard. Thats another evidence, a novice editor below one months experience would not be able to do that! (Read:Following other editors contribs).  Sohambanerjee1998  12:16, 1 November 2013 (UTC)
 * I don't know what this is all about. How I came across this page? Why? Thebestfeet  (talk) 14:41, 1 November 2013 (UTC)
 * Yes, a simple question - how did you find this page?  Lugnuts  Dick Laurent is dead 14:54, 1 November 2013 (UTC)
 * Mate first you come off as an user knowing about SPI but then you are asking what this is all about but please we are not fools. I would know the answer to the question as well How did you get to this goddamn page?  866ƖǝǝɾɹǝuɐqɯɐɥoS  17:23, 1 November 2013 (UTC)
 * I do not appreciate the unfriendly condescension of either of you, and you have not said why you want me to answer that. Tell me one thing I've done to deserve being harangued. How do you suppose I might have found a discussion that mentions me? Thebestfeet  (talk) 17:34, 1 November 2013 (UTC)
 * So you know how to upload images, complying with the fair-use rules, know how to move pages, but can't answer a question about how you came to stumble upon this page? Answer the question, please.  Lugnuts  Dick Laurent is dead 19:18, 1 November 2013 (UTC)
 * , now please don't take it as our non-friendly behaviour and approach and instead as a simple request, please I repeat please answer this question as the answer to this question might solve the case and who knows you'll might come out clean!  866ƖǝǝɾɹǝuɐqɯɐɥoS  06:48, 2 November 2013 (UTC)
 * Exact same colour/color edit on another non-US film here, following a bunch of page moves, including one on an article FF moved originally. Snowing ducks right now.  Lugnuts  Dick Laurent is dead 18:06, 2 November 2013 (UTC)

Can't agree more. Point to be noted.  Sohambanerjee1998  18:23, 2 November 2013 (UTC)
 * If it wasn't already at the beginning, this has become a farce. I brought the article closer in line with the official Oscars press release. But since we are all aggressively throwing accusations around, let it be known that I have strong suspicions that you two are involved in WP:MEATPUPPETRY. Happy editing, folks. Thebestfeet  (talk) 19:42, 2 November 2013 (UTC)

Clerk, CheckUser, and/or patrolling admin comments

 * Needs a CU with prior knowledge of this case (as opposed to any CU). Chase me ladies, I'm the Cavalry (Message me) 15:38, 28 October 2013 (UTC)
 * CML, does this also apply to endorsement of this case? Or are you only saying that if it is endorsed, the technical information should be reviewed by someone with experience in the case? Sh i r ik  ( Questions or Comments? ) 01:26, 29 October 2013 (UTC)
 * - Pending the above reply Sh i r ik  ( Questions or Comments? ) 01:28, 29 October 2013 (UTC)
 * It was cryptic, wasn't it! I meant to endorse it (and have now changed the status to endorse). I then checked the user, and while it's clear that something is going on, there are some extra accounts that require behavioural analysis before deciding whether they're socks. Chase me ladies, I'm the Cavalry (Message me) 11:20, 29 October 2013 (UTC)


 * - --  DQ   (ʞlɐʇ)  03:28, 1 November 2013 (UTC)
 * While the technical data from Thebestfeet could line up with Film Fan, there are too many questions about why the technical data is saying what it's saying, and not enough to be conclusive in any manner. So therefore I'm going to mark this . Thebestfeet possibily has a sleeper, but the immediate evidence availible does not give much of an indication whether it is a sleeper or not, so I rather the name come up through normal channels first before I comment on it. This case should be decided primarily on behavoir, and not factor in the technical evidence. -- DQ   (ʞlɐʇ)  05:15, 1 November 2013 (UTC)
 * I'd actually put the case at very, bordering on reasonably that they are related from a technical standpoint. Taking the definite behavioral connections into consideration, I'm going to call this a sockpuppet. Reaper Eternal (talk) 00:40, 3 November 2013 (UTC)


 * Based on discussions with and our coordinated behavioral investigation, I think we have enough evidence to block as a very likely sock. Blocking, tagging, and closed.  Sh i r ik  ( Questions or Comments? ) 00:42, 3 November 2013 (UTC)

15 December 2013

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The user account was created October 13 and started editing on November 7, four days after the most recent sock was blocked. The account is pursuing similar edits to the previous incarnations - uploading new versions of movie posters, moving movie poster files and articles about movies, and editing film articles. There's no talk page edits yet, so a checkuser is requested to confirm whether or not this is a sock. Thanks. Diannaa (talk) 15:31, 15 December 2013 (UTC)

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I brought this issue to Diannaa's attention following a couple of page moves for film articles. For example, look at the edit history regarding the move of The Golden Dream by MyBambooHouse. They site a website for the name change. Now compare this to a similar move done by Thebestfeet (a confirmed sock of Film Fan, post-FF ban) on the article Mother, I Love You. Identical edit summary (citing the website). As mentioned above, this "new" account was moving film article pages and uploading film posters within days of being created, in the same style as Film Fan/TBF.  Lugnuts  Dick Laurent is dead 17:34, 15 December 2013 (UTC)

Clerk, CheckUser, and/or patrolling admin comments

 * ✅ that and  are the same. - Mailer Diablo 22:14, 17 December 2013 (UTC)
 * Confirmed sock tagged and blocked indef, closing now. Mark Arsten (talk) 22:19, 17 December 2013 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets



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As of filing this, the IP has made two edits, both to add the US title to the French film L'Amant double (one, two.) The US title was removed, as it's not a US film, after Film Fan originally added it with this diff. This is the only user who has added this US title to the article, and the IP re-adds it word-for-word. FF has been on a WP:1RR for a long time, and a couple of months ago, was once again brought to ANI for further disruption, with WP:ROPE being issued as a final warning. I believe this user is trying to avoid the WP:1RR by editing as the IP address, as their block log would suggest a long-term problem. Thanks.  Lugnuts  Fire Walk with Me 18:54, 5 July 2018 (UTC)


 * A bit later the IP adds a bare URL ref, in the exact same style that FF does on other world-cinema articles (example). Infact, shortly after the IP edits the article for L'Amant double, FF pops up to edit it again.  Lugnuts  Fire Walk with Me 07:30, 6 July 2018 (UTC)

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You do realise that I have no need for socks? It's hilarious how desperate you are to see me blocked, still all these years on. Your edit was incorrect, as you can clearly see at WP:NCF. I hope your life is fulfilling and full of smiles, and that you can learn to let go of old grudges. I'm sure you're a nice enough guy in the flesh. Bye. —  Film Fan  23:27, 6 July 2018 (UTC)

Clerk, CheckUser, and/or patrolling admin comments

 * I'll take a look at this case soon. --Deskana (talk) 10:01, 2 August 2018 (UTC)
 * Actually, given that the IP hasn't made any edits since then, I don't think any action is warranted. Please feel free to reopen if the IP starts editing again. --Deskana (talk) 10:05, 2 August 2018 (UTC)

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Similar usernames, attempting to get autoconfirmed right at Filipino Americans. theinstantmatrix (talk) 22:45, 11 September 2018 (UTC)

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Added Film Fan3 because of their vandalism to this report.--Bbb23 (talk) 12:38, 12 September 2018 (UTC)
 * Film Fam is ✅, blocked and tagged. Film Fan3 is, probably an impersonator, but in event already blocked as an LTA. Closing.--Bbb23 (talk) 12:57, 12 September 2018 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets



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I don't know this sock operator at all--another user brought this guy to my attention and asked if they might be related.
 * The Byronstorm account was created in 2014 and has been dormant since May 2014, when boom, they started editing again today.
 * Film Fan was indeffed about 3 weeks ago or so.
 * So far, Byronstorm has made about 23 edits today, so I think it's weird to find seven areas of intersection betwen Byronstorm and Film Fan.
 * Looking at Byron's contribution history, I see that he likes to move articles and talk pages around. That seems similar to what Film Fan used to do.
 * I also see a number of uploaded images from both of these accounts, which is interesting.

Anyway, more expert eyes would be helpful in determining if these guys are related. Since I think it's odd that he potentially had a 4-year-old dormant account and he's known for socking, it might be worth a CU. Thanks, Cyphoidbomb (talk) 15:21, 19 September 2018 (UTC)

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I suspected ‎Byronstorm might be Film Fan because of his tendency to upload posters at 220px and use IMDb as their source. That was as far as I knew, but upon seeing his penchant for moving non-English movie articles to their English titles without opening move discussions or gaining a consensus, I'm now convinced they are the same user.-- Kailash29792 (talk)  15:38, 19 September 2018 (UTC)

Clerk, CheckUser, and/or patrolling admin comments

 * per description of the incident, and Film Fan's evident socking after their indef which I'm very surprised took so long considering the case history. Ivanvector (Talk/Edits) 15:44, 19 September 2018 (UTC)
 * ✅ + . Blocked, tagged, closing.--Bbb23 (talk) 15:52, 19 September 2018 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets



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IP's range directly matches the same as previously suspected sock account and their primary focus is on the changing on film posters, especially those uploaded by the main account. Earlier today, I uploaded a new image at Titanic (1997 film), and, almost immediately — within a three-hour range, the IP above made an edit request on the talk requesting it be changed back to their own-preferred scanned copy, which is the exact replica of what Film Fan uploaded, which did not match the source provided in the image's fair-use copyright. This behaviour mirrors Film Fan's pattern of behaviour of owning the uploading of film poster images across different articles, and their long-term history is highly-disruptive. Plus, for this to be the IP's only edits is also highly suspicious in activity.  livelikemusic    talk!  01:18, 13 March 2019 (UTC)

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 * One requested edit after the last sock stopped ~6 months ago isn't really enough to prove sockpuppetry. Closing for now, but feel free to reopen if further evidence appears. Reaper Eternal (talk) 21:36, 13 March 2019 (UTC)

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Checkuser requested as this persistent block evasion may be wider-scale than is immediately apparent. -- Netoholic @ 01:25, 1 April 2019 (UTC)
 * 1) Precious (film): This IP user is edit-warring the last few days over the same title presentation as Film Fan edit-warred into the article in July 2015, and had persistently reverted to in Jan 2016, July 2016, Aug 2016, Dec 2016, Jan 2017, April 2017 May 2017, Dec 2017, Feb 2018, and May 2018.  See Talk:Precious (film) discussion where both Film Fan and these IPs have participated in.
 * 2) 90.249.x.x have overlapped in recent conversations at Talk:Jack the Ripper (miniseries) and Talk:Precious (film), indicating this is the same individual.
 * 3) The IPs in this range have recently edited articles edited by Film Fan in the past: L'Auberge Espagnole, Mother!, The Penguin King, Adventures of the Penguin King.
 * 4) 90.249.x.x show an extensive knowledge of our procedures and guidelines, like participating in RMs and threatening reports to admins.
 * 5) 90.249.x.x have been blocked before and listed at User talk:Film Fan, as well as other reports found at Sockpuppet investigations/Film Fan/Archive.

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 * I've semi-protected Precious (film) as it seems pretty obvious to me that this is Film fan evading their block. If the disruption leaks out to other articles I can start blocking the IPs as they pop up, though they're pretty dynamic and protection will probably be more effective in the long run.-- Jezebel's Ponyo bons mots 23:07, 3 April 2019 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets



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Similar username, similar area of edits (particularly uploads of film posters). Nardog (talk) 00:34, 16 May 2019 (UTC)

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 * . NinjaRobotPirate (talk) 06:50, 16 May 2019 (UTC)

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This new account was created not long after their master account was blocked from editing. Edits film articles that are rarely edited by others, similar to Film Fan. And their edit filter log shows an unusual familiarity with creating film award pages, though they are relatively new. Highly suspicious. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 212.3.208.252 (talk • contribs)

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 * Obviously trolling. NinjaRobotPirate (talk) 12:02, 20 May 2019 (UTC)