Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/Iyo-farm/Archive

Suspected sockpuppets



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Iyo-farm is indef blocked on Wikipedia. This user was abusive and pushing an biased animal rights agenda on several articles including the Vegan Society, British pet massacre and several others. Since this user was blocked, he has used about 20 IP address to vandalise these above articles. If you check the history of the Vegan Society talk-page you can see his block evasion, he has repeatedly complained that he wants the "controversy" section removed, his agenda is to remove any criticism or anything critical of the Vegan Society from its Wikipedia article. I have never seen anything else like it before, he is obsessed. Iyo-farm has been evading his block on many mobile IP addresses which he has confessed to because he has signed his IPs with his blocked username "Iyo-farm". His last activity was yesterday blocked by Orangemike.

Since yesterday the Vegan Society article is locked so he cannot get on there. Because he has been blocked on so many mobile IPs I believe Iyo-farm is now using the account WhalesFromWales or at a minimum he is somehow associated with it. WhalesFromWales uses exactly the same writing style as Iyo-farm, for example a habit of Iyo-farm was to often leave two line gaps before replying to someone and whilst signing his username leave an entire line (I can cite many examples of this if needed), the latter is quite distinct. WhalesFromWales did this in their very first edit. Another editing habit of Iyo-farm is to sometimes puts lot of things in brackets at the end of a sentence, this also matches WhalesFromWales very first edit.

I find it hard to believe that WhalesFromWales is a brand new account and a different user. No other new user has ever edited the Vegan Society talk-page which is low-traffic but within 24hours of the article being locked and Iyo-farm's mobile IPs being blocked a new user arguing against the exact same argument about the "controversy" section turns up. Statistically this is very unlikely. You can check the history of the Vegan Society talk-page, apart from Iyo-farm's block evasion and editing there has been virtually no interest in the article.

Other strange things from this new account "WhalesFromWales" giving me a lecture on what "wikipedia policies" are when this is supposed to be a brand new account and now leaving his alleged IP address on the talk-page to "prove" they are not Iyo-farm. The same user is now claiming I am biased against the Vegan Society and not impartial these were the exact same claims of Iyo-farm I can list many diffs of that. I am very suspicious about all of this, this is either sock-puppetry or meat-puppetry, there is no way for me this is somebody completely unrelated. Iyo-farm was last active on both the article and the talk-page yesterday morning, yet 24 hours later we have a new account saying the same things on the talk-page? Something is definitely up for me. Psychologist Guy (talk) 15:57, 9 November 2021 (UTC)


 * Iyo-farm will usually leave two lines gap at the top when he starts his comment, then when signing leave a line gap, so compare this edit to WhalesFromWales first edit . It is the same. Psychologist Guy (talk) 16:11, 9 November 2021 (UTC)


 * Based on behavioral evidence the long comment below is convincing to me that this new account MoreWhalesFromWales is Iyo-farm . When Iyo-farm writes he tends to start lines and leave gaps all over the place, sometimes he doesn't like putting more than 2 or 3 sentences together or he will do 1 line then leave a gap, the bullet point system is also very similar to what Iyo-farm has done on occasions and again we have the brackets at the end of various sentences which is an Iyo-farm habit (check his talk-page).
 * Please compare the section "September Holocaust" written by Iyo-farm to what MoreWhalesFromWales  has written below. It is the same style of layout and writing, the bullet points and numbers and gaps etc. I am convinced this is a sock. Also Iyo-farm who was using IPs almost everyday has suddenly not edited the Vegan Society talk-page today when WhalesFromWales is editing. I just find it unlikely all these coincidences. MoreWhalesFromWales has also admitted to owning another account which they did not disclose. Psychologist Guy (talk) 18:11, 9 November 2021 (UTC)

I would be happy to email the admins privately if need be, but in regard to the public mobile IPs that Iyo-farm has used in the last 3 weeks (he even signed them with his account name) but which I will not list here they trace all over the UK up north and down south, you are looking at travels ranging from 200 miles or more. What I am seeing here is that this individual travels throughout the UK every week and will avoid IP blocks because mobile IPs can easily be changed in different areas. I wouldn't put it past this user for staying at a friends house, hotel or house to post for a few hours on a different account. Both users are not online posting at the same time or on the same day, that is suspicious.

Whales is alleged to have posted under their public IP to prove they are not Iyo-farm but I am not convinced by this. I find it VERY convenient these users are not online at the same time, or time periods and that Whales has edited no other articles apart from the Vegan Society talk-page. This user has the exact same writing style as Iyo-farm. Based on Iyo-farms editing history the editing time is either around 12 - 1 late at night, then around 6am in the morning and then sometimes in the late afternoon - the latter two fits the Whales accounts. What's interesting to me is these users do not stay online very long and edit, they make a few edits then disappear. I don't buy into this being two different people. I believe this is all one very disturbed individual. Please check the history of this very page and you will see the recent IP block evasion just a few minutes ago. This user is obsessed. It's unlikely I am going to waste anymore time posting here I have posted publicly what I want to say. This user is sucking up productive time. Psychologist Guy (talk) 01:47, 10 November 2021 (UTC)

Comments by other users
''Accused parties may also comment/discuss in this section below. See Defending yourself against claims.''

Wikipedia says "If an accusation on this page is "bad faith" (an editor making a fake case for an "attack" or to prevent their own editing being examined) then you may wish to say so briefly". I believe this to be the case. I believe this to be a bad faith accusation to silence anyone with a different opinion. Note that all I have asked for is a review by an experienced, impartial editor (I haven't even edited the page). Yet Psychologist Guy seems very strongly opposed to this idea.

However, the supposed evidence presented doesn't even make sense. Psychologist Guy claims that:

1) WhalesFromWales uses exactly the same writing style as Iyo-farm, for example a habit of Iyo-farm was to often leave two line gaps before replying to someone and whilst signing his username leave an entire line (I can cite many examples of this if needed), the latter is quite distinct.

I am sure that anyone has any proficiency in analysis of writing style would reject this claim. It is true that I left "two line gaps before replying" but that was simply the same as the previous comment (and I find it clearer to see where one contribution ends and another starts).

However, it is not true that Iyo-Farm and I both "whilst signing his username leave an entire line". Indeed, on this page:

• Iyo-Farm and Orange Mike sign off with two hyphens on the end of the last line of their comment.

• Psychologist Guy and I sign off on a new line. So by Psychologist Guy's own argument, I'm more likely to be Psychologist Guy's sock rather than Iyo-Farm's!

2) "WhalesFromWales" giving me a lecture on what "wikipedia policies" are when this is supposed to be a brand new account

It wasn't a "lecture", I just pointed out where his own behaviour seemed to breach Wikipedia guidelines. But so what if a new account owner has read the rules? I had an old editor account that I've lost access too. (In fact, I managed to lose access to WhalesFromWales too, hence this one.)

3) ...and now leaving his alleged IP address on the talk-page to "prove" they are not Iyo-farm.

How is that my "alleged" IP address? It's recorded by Wikipedia! Are you suggesting that I spoofed it? If so, why would I have not done so previously? Furthermore, I provided my IP address as evidence, not proof. But I offered to provide proof.

3) The same user is now claiming I am biased against the Vegan Society and not impartial these were the exact same claims of Iyo-farm I can list many diffs of that.

No, I did not accuse Psychologist Guy of being biased against the Vegan Society. If anything, quite the reverse - as I pointed out that use of The Vegan Society as a primary source on such a controversy was unreliable.

Nevertheless, Psychologist Guy's personal accusations and rejection of other perspectives speaks to a lack of impartiality. I'm not sure what his agenda might be (other, maybe, than to 'own' the page) but I can't agree that it's an impartial one.

Furthermore, these are not "the exact same claims of Iyo-farm". I raised four concerns that did not overlap those raised by Iyo-Farm. I encourage Psychologist Guy to show us the diffs that demonstrate otherwise!

4) I am very suspicious about all of this, this is either sock-puppetry or meat-puppetry, there is no way for me this is somebody completely unrelated.

I can certainly understand suspicion, given the timings. However, suspicion is not evidence, suspicion is not proof, and suspicion is no justification for disparaging another user with disingenuous accusations.

5) Iyo-farm was last active on both the article and the talk-page yesterday morning, yet 24 hours later we have a new account saying the same things on the talk-page?

Again, I am not saying "the same things"; I am, however, raising concerns about the same section.

Psychologist Guy's arguments are at best unwarranted assumptions, at worst a deliberate attempt to silence any contributors who dare disagree.

For the avoidance of doubt, I am WhalesFromWales. But I am not Iyo-farm. Furthermore, I have no idea who Iyo-farm is, and I have not knowingly had any correspondence or other interaction with them. And I am willing to provide any necessary proof to this effect.

MoreWhalesFromWales (talk) 17:35, 9 November 2021 (UTC)


 * Just my advice, dont use another account to edit. I would highly advise you stop editing via the “More” account. and instaed use the “WhalesFromWales” account to edit.  LakesideMiners Come Talk To Me! 17:40, 9 November 2021 (UTC) Seems that you lost access to the other account. Nevermind. LakesideMiners Come Talk To Me! 17:42, 9 November 2021 (UTC)

Reading though the edits made by all the listed users, I am seeing a lot of similarities. From the formatting used to the timing and topics. And as for the leaving of your alleged IPs, Yes, they are recored by wikipedia, but, Checkusers cant publicly connect users to IP addresses except in very rare cases. There is no way to confirm that they are in-fact your IPs. I believe that this is a sock-puppet.  LakesideMiners Come Talk To Me! 17:51, 9 November 2021 (UTC)

Adding on that the bullet point formating is another huge red flag.  LakesideMiners Come Talk To Me! 18:33, 9 November 2021 (UTC)


 * The lurid conspiracy theories are merely an attempt to hide what is going on, Psychologist Guy gaming to protect NPOV & unbalanced edits discrediting the Vegan Society.
 * Hopefully, eventually, some admins will see through what is going on.
 * --Iyo-farm (talk) 10:14, 10 November 2021 (UTC) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 82.132.230.14 (talk)

Today, I see that Psychologist Guy has been repeatedly deleting comments from other users on my Talk page. Surely that's not permitted? [Minor edit: Indeed, he seems to have breached the three revert rule in doing so.] Also, his claim that I "admitted to owning another account which they did not disclose" is disingenuous. I did disclose that I had an old account, but it was so long ago I can't even remember the username.

Psychologist Guy's behaviour is authoritarian bullying based on flawed assumptions... at best! (Hopefully, someone can advise me how to report that.)

MoreWhalesFromWales (talk) 11:45, 10 November 2021 (UTC)

Also, it's worth adding that Iyo-Farm seems keen to stop "Psychologist Guy... discrediting the Vegan Society", I have no such agenda. I've suggested that The Vegan Society's own primary sources are not reliable, and that more critical sources be considered. Regardless of unqualified conclusions about "writing style", this should confirm beyond any doubt that we are different people. But I repeat my offer to prove this to an impartial administrator.

MoreWhalesFromWales (talk) 11:51, 10 November 2021 (UTC)

Finally (for now at least) Iyo-Farm still seem to be able to contribute, and is doing so. So why would he have any need to create socks?

MoreWhalesFromWales (talk) 11:54, 10 November 2021 (UTC)


 * They are still blocked, they just used an IP account to make the comment above.  LakesideMiners Come Talk To Me! 14:18, 10 November 2021 (UTC)

Clerk, CheckUser, and/or patrolling admin comments

 * To re-state something mentioned above, WhalesFromWales and MoreWhalesFromWales are the same person, declared here. That is not a problem. Regarding the connection to Iyo-farm, it has been alleged above that Iyo-farm is jumping around on a mobile IP range (btw don't trust geo-location on that range). Checkuser says that there's no indication that Whales has been on the same range or the same device as either Iyo-farm or the IPs. However that doesn't really mean a lot. -- zzuuzz (talk) 12:43, 10 November 2021 (UTC)
 * Iyo-farm exhibits a few idiosyncrasies that I would expect to be present in a sock, but can't find in MoreWhalesFromWales' edits. Unless they are fairly decent at both behavioural and technical evasion, it strikes me as unlikely that this is the same person.  --Blablubbs (talk) 17:02, 10 November 2021 (UTC)
 * I see the same idiosyncrasies Blablubbs is referring to. While I wouldn't say it's impossible for Whales to be a sock of Iyo-farm, but it's unlikely, and ultimately Iyo-farm was blocked for being unable to walk away from certain topics. If they are Iyo-farm, I think we'll know soon enough. Closing without action. --  Tamzin  [ cetacean needed ] (she/they) 23:07, 21 November 2021 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets

 * ( original case name)

All users keep making the same edit to The Vegan Society. See these. While not block evasion, clearly using multiple accounts to disrupt the same article with virtually identical edits. SPF121188 (talk this way) (contribs) 16:56, 13 June 2022 (UTC)

Comments by other users
''Accused parties may also comment/discuss in this section below. See Defending yourself against claims.'' There may be an issue with ban evasion, as there have been other accounts with similar names banned in the past for abusing multiple accounts. Here are some of the accounts that have made edits to the page in the past with a similar name format.

appears to have been the original account, as they also had the most edits on the page of the accounts with "Iyo" in their names. Hey man im josh (talk) 17:34, 13 June 2022 (UTC)
 * , thank you for adding these! Didn't realize how many there were... ugh.  SPF121188  (talk this way) (contribs) 17:48, 13 June 2022 (UTC)

Clerk, CheckUser, and/or patrolling admin comments

 * This case should probably be merged with Sockpuppet investigations/Iyo-farm. Favonian (talk) 19:43, 13 June 2022 (UTC)
 * All the listed socks are now blocked. Incidentally, the disruption on The Vegan Society resembles the activity on Monotrophic diet. Favonian (talk) 19:53, 13 June 2022 (UTC)
 * - There's lots of accounts here. Before merging the case I think a check is in order to see if there are other accounts or if a rangeblock is possible. Thanks, Spicy (talk) 19:46, 15 June 2022 (UTC)
 * - -- RoySmith (talk) 21:06, 15 June 2022 (UTC)
 * Looks like you've already found them all. There's already been some IP blocking which may be useful, and I've made some notes for future reference. -- RoySmith (talk) 21:14, 15 June 2022 (UTC)
 * Thanks for looking. I'll restore the clerk request. Spicy (talk) 00:04, 16 June 2022 (UTC)
 * Iyo farmer 2022 case merged here. Tagged. —&thinsp;JJMC89&thinsp; (T·C) 03:29, 17 June 2022 (UTC)