Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/VPD7102001/Archive

Suspected sockpuppets
These accounts both are of recent origin and begin with VPD, which in itself is not significant. They both also are almost exclusive interested in Varun Pradip Dave (VPD), and in other persons with names that are similar to Varun Pradip Dave (although the other persons are not related).

If they aren't the same person, they may have the same employer. Robert McClenon (talk) 21:44, 23 March 2022 (UTC)

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Originally a separate filing, self-merged. Original filing was just master and VPD7102001.

Special:PageHistory/Draft:Varun Pradip Dave explains the core of this. Marikaluangel created it on 17 February, and then spammed some stuff about Dave at World Powerlifting Congress, earning an indef from Discospinster. Starting 10 days later, Niki1984, an account inactive since 2018, came along to make a few edits to it. After the submission was declined on 15 March, Wiki Writer VPD emerged to make a few more edits. WWVPD then made a draft in their usertalk, which they published, where it was taken over by VPD7102001, whom Bbb23 blocked for socking with Indiannewseditor. (Even unable to see deleted contribs, Special:Log/Indiannewseditor and the filter log make that connection quite clear.) And then, most recently, Varun Dave Powerlifter has appeared on the scene to make more edits to the draft, draft in their usertalk, and, as I was writing this... well, if there was any doubt.

VPD7102001 (Dave's birthday, per the draft), Indiannewseditor, WWVPD, and VDP are all clearly the same person. I'm less sure on Marikaluangel. Given the different username, I wonder if this is a "fine, I'll do it myself" case after a UPE failed to come through. That would also explain the involvement of Niki1984, who has been editing intermittently since Dave was 9 years old and has made spammy edits about other things in the past in the past. So UPE 1 fails, UPE 2 fails, then Dave makes a bunch of accounts of his own. I'm filing this under Wiki Writer VPD VPD7102001 as the oldest one I'm sure of, and that whole family are ducks, but I'm requesting CU to figure out the involvement of the other two and to check for sleepers due to the concurrent socking. This can subsequently be moved if needed. -- Tamzin  [ cetacean needed ] (she/they) 06:34, 24 March 2022 (UTC)

Clerk, CheckUser, and/or patrolling admin comments

 * . Also courtesy ping NinjaRobotPirate since he'll be getting the ping from VPD7102001 reverting him. --  Tamzin  [ cetacean needed ] (she/they) 06:34, 24 March 2022 (UTC)
 * N.B.: I reported Varun Dave Powerlifter to AIV because they were vandalizing others' userspace; Cullen indeffed as NOTHERE. --  Tamzin  [ cetacean needed ] (she/they) 07:13, 24 March 2022 (UTC)
 * Moved to VPD7102001 as the oldest of the obvious ones. --  Tamzin  [ cetacean needed ] (she/they) 07:32, 24 March 2022 (UTC)
 * -  Girth Summit  (blether)  09:35, 24 March 2022 (UTC)
 * is confirmed to, and to.
 * is to the three above, and is also ✅ to.
 * is to the above - they geolocate to the same city, but all their edits are from a range that none of the above have used.
 * is similarly - same city, different range. However, they are ✅ to.
 * I'm going to do some blocking now. Girth Summit  (blether)  09:51, 24 March 2022 (UTC)
 * OK, I've blocked all of the likely accounts, or accounts that were confirmed to accounts that are already blocked. Happy for anyone to fiddle with my tags. I've left Niki1984 for behavioural consideration - they were only briefly involved, and may be somebody else, but in my view it's impossible to believe that they weren't collaborating with the spammer in some manner. I'll leave it for someone else to consider whether a warning, or a block, would be most appropriate.  Girth Summit  (blether)  10:00, 24 March 2022 (UTC)
 * Thanks, Girth. while the Niki1984 angle is resolved. I've left an inquiry on her talk page.  You warned this editor twice in 2018, the last time she was active. Do you have any thoughts? Currently my inclination is that if she doesn't respond in a reasonable time I'll leave her a UPE warning and call it a day, but in the broader administrative context maybe there's more to be done.  --  Tamzin  [ cetacean needed ] (she/they) 02:38, 26 March 2022 (UTC)
 * Oh, May 2018 Face-smile.svg If I see correctly, my main concerns had been their use of plural pronouns when referring to themselves, and good-faith disruption. I could dig into the details of this SPI and attempt to provide an opinion about the likeliness of sock-/meatpuppetry, but I'd be doing so from scratch, so I'm afraid I can't be of particular help. Thanks for the ping and the memories though. Emoji_u1f60a.svg ~ ToBeFree (talk) 13:19, 26 March 2022 (UTC)
 * I've tagged Varun Dave Powerlifter and Iamyourdaddyeditor as proven on behavioral grounds, with the caveat that "proven" does not necessarily mean "proven to be the exact same person" (although I'm guessing it is). Niki1984 has not edited since my previous message to her, and, if history is any judge, we might be waiting for years to hear back, so I am closing this without direct action regarding her. Instead, I have left her a note instructing her that she must respond to my inquiry before the resumes editing. @Admin reading this in 5 years: If she has resumed editing without answering my questions, it is my advice that she be blocked on a presumption of undisclosed paid editing. --  Tamzin  [ cetacean needed ] (she/they) 06:56, 3 April 2022 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets
Nikki710 created 3 April 2022, less than two hours after Tamzin's closure of previous SPI. Within an hour, created three Varun Pradip Dave "articles" (User talk:Nikki710/sandbox, User:Nikki710/sandbox, and User:Nikki710), the focus of previous socks. Nikki710 is confirmed to VPD7102001 on Commons; data are here. Given the name similarity (Niki v Nikki), please also reevaluate Niki1984 from the previous request--aforementioned name, same /24 range (Commons data also at aforementioned link), and editing and uploading (e.g., c:File:Varun Pradip Dave during paying for India powerlifting.jpg) related to such an esoteric topic. Эlcobbola talk 15:51, 4 April 2022 (UTC)
 * How did you factor Niki1984 being on the same /24 range as Wiki writer VPD in reaching a possible conclusion? Similarly, given that possession of a mobile phone in addition to a computer is generally a ubiquitous state, why do you find alternative UAs meaningful (i.e., this is not a case of Windows v MacOS or of Android v iOS; a phone to a computer, especially in this context, is near meaningless.)  Эlcobbola  talk 19:19, 4 April 2022 (UTC)
 * Nevermind; I see this was changed to likely while I was typing the query. Эlcobbola  talk 19:21, 4 April 2022 (UTC)
 * I've got some notes of my own . -- RoySmith (talk) 19:42, 4 April 2022 (UTC)

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 * The connection to VPD is clear enough for a DUCK block of Nikki710, but to see if we can gain any insight with respect to Niki1984.  --  Tamzin  [ cetacean needed ] (she/they) 17:55, 4 April 2022 (UTC)
 * - -- RoySmith (talk) 18:50, 4 April 2022 (UTC)
 * Nikki710 is ✅ to VPD7102001. Based on the raw CU data, Niki1984   to the other two; different IP ranges and UAs, but they all geolocate to the same city.  I'll keep this to a purely technical report and let other people figure out what it all means. -- RoySmith (talk) 19:10, 4 April 2022 (UTC)
 * Upgrading that to likely, based on some additional data I just saw. -- RoySmith (talk) 19:18, 4 April 2022 (UTC)


 * There's also who is confirmed to VPD7102001 -- RoySmith (talk) 19:14, 4 April 2022 (UTC)
 * OH, I see that's old news. -- RoySmith (talk) 19:15, 4 April 2022 (UTC)
 * Given that we've established based on account age that it's unlikely Niki1984 is the same person as VPD, and rather more likely a meatpuppet if anything, I don't think this moves the needle with respect to her. The naming of Nikki710 might just be VPD reading this SPI and fucking with us, or mistakenly thinking that appearing to be Niki will give him some sort of immunity since she's the only one who escaped blocking. : as a confirmed sockpuppet of VPD7102001. Still no action on Niki1984.  --  Tamzin  [ cetacean needed ] (she/they) 19:18, 4 April 2022 (UTC)
 * @Tamzin Done - I love the links that have everything pre-filled, saves me firing up spihelper. :) firefly  ( t · c ) 19:25, 4 April 2022 (UTC)
 * Noting a silent edit conflict here. I hadn't seen Roy's upgrade from possible to likely... I think I stand by my conclusion, though. I don't get the sense we've learned anything new about Niki1984. And since she should be blocked if she returns to editing without answering my UPE query, I'm not in a huge rush to block her. What would change my mind is if there were a sock that was more solid to her than to the rest of the farm. --  Tamzin  [ cetacean needed ] (she/they) 19:31, 4 April 2022 (UTC)
 * Oh, closing, with caveat of previous post. --  Tamzin  [ cetacean needed ] (she/they) 19:50, 4 April 2022 (UTC)
 * Niki1984 based on deleted contribs. --Blablubbs (talk) 20:03, 4 April 2022 (UTC)
 * Added tag for Nikki710, archiving. Spicy (talk) 15:38, 9 April 2022 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets
Same old same old. User:Varun Pradip Dave ( Varun Dave )/sandbox. Asking for CU because of the insistence, for sleeper check please 🇺🇦 Fiddle Timtrent  Faddle Talk to me 🇺🇦 17:43, 7 April 2022 (UTC)

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 * - -- RoySmith (talk) 18:58, 7 April 2022 (UTC)
 * Varun Pradip Dave ( Varun Dave ) is ✅. I also found  who might be a zero-edit sleeper based on CU data, but in any case is WP:DISRUPTNAME. -- RoySmith (talk) 19:04, 7 April 2022 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets
Both created drafts about VPD. Kanalshah (recreated Draft:Varun Pradip Dave) is already locked but included for context. Varun Dave (Powerlifter) (created Draft:Varun Dave) is softblocked on username, but clearly based on behavior is a sockpuppet or meatpuppet of VPD7102001. In he acknowledged being a professional associate of Dave's; not sure if I believe that, but either way, sock or meat. Requesting CU of both to look for sleepers and hopefully get a better sense of the sock/meat/UPE dynamic here. -- Tamzin  [ cetacean needed ] (she/they) 08:40, 13 April 2022 (UTC)

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 * -- Tamzin  [ cetacean needed ] (she/they) 08:41, 13 April 2022 (UTC)
 * a connection between Kanalshah and Dave, with a ✅ connection between Dave and (who I note is glocked already). I do not see anyone else to connect to, though obviously behavioural evidence suggests that this group is connected to the master. Primefac (talk) 08:52, 13 April 2022 (UTC)
 * Thanks, Primefac. Noting that you've reblocked this Varun as a sockblock. —Devan as confirmed, this Varun and Kanalshah as proven, noting that "proven" does not mean "definitely same person rather than MEAT". Closing. --  Tamzin  [ cetacean needed ] (she/they) 09:06, 13 April 2022 (UTC)
 * , archiving. Thanks, Spicy (talk) 13:36, 17 April 2022 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets

 * Username and these edits: (1), (2), (3) quacks loud. Please run a CU as they tend to have multiple accounts pop up after one is blocked --*Fehufangą ♮ ✉ Talk page 06:48, 24 April 2022 (UTC)

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 * megaphoneduck indeed. due to history of sleepers.  --  Tamzin  [ cetacean needed ] (she/they) 07:05, 24 April 2022 (UTC)
 * Noting also evasion on, although nothing really to be done there. --  Tamzin  [ cetacean needed ] (she/they) 07:15, 24 April 2022 (UTC)
 * - Mz7 (talk) 07:55, 24 April 2022 (UTC)
 * ✅ plus the following accounts:
 * . because of crosswiki abuse, closing. Mz7 (talk) 08:01, 24 April 2022 (UTC)
 * . because of crosswiki abuse, closing. Mz7 (talk) 08:01, 24 April 2022 (UTC)
 * . because of crosswiki abuse, closing. Mz7 (talk) 08:01, 24 April 2022 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets

 * ( original case name)

WPC Editor is a cross-wiki abuser, see their global contribution. This sock is recreating “Varun Pradip Dave”, which have been deleted several times. Deppty (talk) 10:42, 5 May 2022 (UTC)

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 * - -- RoySmith (talk) 16:21, 5 May 2022 (UTC)
 * Please see Sockpuppet investigations/VPD7102001/Archive, there are a bunch of sockpuppets promoting Varun Pradip Dave, who else would promote this person? Deppty (talk) 16:55, 5 May 2022 (UTC)
 * Both confirmed to VPD7102001. -- RoySmith (talk) 18:22, 5 May 2022 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets
Made a dozen suggested edits under similar name, then created Varun Dave. Storchy (talk) 09:41, 7 July 2022 (UTC)

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Clerk, CheckUser, and/or patrolling admin comments
Already blocked; lock requested, closing. Girth Summit  (blether) 12:43, 8 July 2022 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets
Username checks out, created Draft:Varun Dave. Oh, and cross-wiki contributions as well. --*Fehufangą (✉ Talk · ✎ Contribs) 12:47, 14 September 2022 (UTC)

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 * Blocked and tagged per WP:DUCK.-- Jezebel's Ponyo bons mots 19:35, 14 September 2022 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets
recreation of Draft:Varun Dave. Varun Dave article deleted due to sockpuppetry by master. Curb Safe Charmer (talk) 11:56, 20 September 2022 (UTC)

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, what about ? --Bbb23 (talk) 17:33, 20 September 2022 (UTC)
 * The account was blocked by as I wrote this. Can you confirm?--Bbb23 (talk) 17:34, 20 September 2022 (UTC)
 * I was painstakingly adding a note, but you beat me to it. Young people and their nimble typing! Favonian (talk) 17:36, 20 September 2022 (UTC)
 * That's one way of looking at it. Another is that you blocked the user faster than I could ask Ponyo for input. How old do you think I am, anyway (don't worry - whatever you say won't offend me)? I'm sure I'll find it amusing.--Bbb23 (talk) 17:53, 20 September 2022 (UTC)
 * I've tagged as proven based on DUCK and technical overlap. I wonder if there's a filter that could help?-- Jezebel's Ponyo bons mots 17:49, 20 September 2022 (UTC)


 * Requested global locks. Bbb23 (talk) 17:54, 20 September 2022 (UTC)
 * Closing. Bbb23 (talk) 20:56, 20 September 2022 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets
Obvious by name, recreation of VPD article, and reference to past deletions. Verily, I've confirmed on Commons. Requesting here despite being a duck as most recent check on shitarajput2010 found sleeper Jankijani107. Эlcobbola talk 11:57, 21 September 2022 (UTC)

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 * Blocked, tagged, global lock requested. Bbb23 (talk) 13:23, 21 September 2022 (UTC)
 * CU found, ✅ to . No other accounts visible. Will block and request lock. Girth Summit  (blether)  09:27, 22 September 2022 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets
recreation of Draft:Varun Dave. I would have thought this title should be salted? Curb Safe Charmer (talk) 11:06, 22 September 2022 (UTC)

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 * Tagged, requested global lock, closing. Bbb23 (talk) 13:19, 22 September 2022 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets
recreation of Draft:Varun Pradip Dave and Varun Pradip Dave. Curb Safe Charmer (talk) 16:28, 1 October 2022 (UTC)

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 * – Favonian (talk) 16:56, 1 October 2022 (UTC)
 * Also to title blacklist due to 1 2 (and yes, salting is too easy to get around). DatGuyTalkContribs 21:33, 1 October 2022 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets
SPAs for Special:PageHistory/Draft:Varun Indian Powerlifter (aside from which is possibly trying to game a higher user access level?), see Draft:Varun Pradip Dave among others. Requesting CU for sleepers. as the, any suggestions to catch them better? I'm personally a big fan of edit filters. DatGuyTalkContribs 17:19, 6 October 2022 (UTC)
 * Filters are our best bet. I've never written one myself, but have faith in the abilities of others. ;) Favonian (talk) 18:00, 6 October 2022 (UTC)
 * FWIW, I've been using a filter on the Commons and can provide code, but VPD has been adjusting editing to avoid it.
 * I've just confirmed there now, as well as  (not attached to en.wiki) and  (blocked for promotion), in case anyone wants to file a global request after outcomes here.  Эlcobbola  talk 18:10, 6 October 2022 (UTC)

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 * Blocked all listed suspects as proven. for sleepers.  --  Tamzin  [ cetacean needed ] (she&#124;they&#124;xe) 18:26, 6 October 2022 (UTC)
 * - -- RoySmith (talk) 20:30, 6 October 2022 (UTC)
 * Other than confirming all the accounts listed here to each other, nothing new to report, i.e. -- RoySmith (talk) 20:36, 6 October 2022 (UTC)
 * . Closing. --  Tamzin  [ cetacean needed ] (she&#124;they&#124;xe) 20:44, 6 October 2022 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets
Inserting VPD references (Bollywoodworm - ; Dxyx20 - ) and same manner of complaining about deletions (Dxyx20 - ; Varun Pradip Dave Powerlifter - )  Эlcobbola  talk 18:45, 11 October 2022 (UTC)

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I had a feeling he had an account again. He showed up in -en-help last night and did his usual schtick of complaining about the deletion of one of his drafts; he didn't say much else because we refused to entertain him (as far as helpers there are concerned, he's do-not-help due to being a crosswiki LTA). —Jéské Couriano v^&lowbar;^v  a little blue Bori 21:01, 11 October 2022 (UTC)

Clerk, CheckUser, and/or patrolling admin comments

 * Bollywoodworm and Dxyx20 are to each other and to the master. Additionally:
 * is ✅ to Dxyx20
 * is to Dxyx20
 * Behaviour is convincing. . --Blablubbs (talk) 20:08, 12 October 2022 (UTC)
 * Oh, as well.  --Blablubbs (talk) 20:11, 12 October 2022 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets
Same behaviour of gaming confirmed and creating promotional mainspace autobiographies for the first account along with the username pattern. Requesting CU for sleepers and noting who isn't registered on enwiki. DatGuyTalkContribs 14:16, 9 November 2022 (UTC)

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 * . --Blablubbs (talk) 14:31, 9 November 2022 (UTC)
 * Reasonably consistent with past socks, but I have nothing interesting for you beyond that., , closing.  --Blablubbs (talk) 14:37, 9 November 2022 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets
Long term abuse. Fancy Refrigerator (talk) 21:13, 1 February 2023 (UTC)

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 * Already blocked as suspected. Global locks already requested. Closing. MarioGom (talk) 22:36, 1 February 2023 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets
creation of Draft:Varun Powerlifter - same topic as the previous socks. Curb Safe Charmer (talk) 20:17, 5 June 2023 (UTC)

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 * No direct links to previous socks using checkuser evidence. There is also VPN usage. However, other IPs and device type is a similar match. Comparing to older CU evidence, this is . Dreamy Jazz talk to me &#124; my contributions 22:01, 5 June 2023 (UTC)
 * The SandDoctor Talk 18:24, 6 June 2023 (UTC)

Suspected sockpuppets
Creation of draft with Varun like others in the case. Similar username style, as well. Bestagon ⬡ 19:26, 27 September 2023 (UTC)

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 * Blocked, and spam draft deleted. JBW (talk) 20:04, 27 September 2023 (UTC)
 * No sleepers on a cursory look. Archiving. Courcelles (talk) 17:17, 3 October 2023 (UTC)