Anti-Trade markings

A month or two back, a user named GManWillis was caught scamming another user out of a rare prototype. He was found guilty and his account was banned.
However, just very recently, G MAN is now back under that alias. He claims that ASSEMbler has allowed him to return. The reason as to why was that he's supposedly abusing a proxy server in order to constantly arrive here under a "new" identity.
So, ASSEMbler caved in and allowed G MAN to have an account here. But, G MAN is a confirmed scammer, and during the so-called "trial" he showed no remorse and it was evident he was hiding something. But he's back, despite all odds.
But what if an inexperience user comes along and decides to trade with G MAN? welp, if it's anything like last time, then it's bad news bears.
This is why we need a title to show that these user are extremely suspicious and not trustworthy. Similar to donator markings, a person like G MAN should have a mark on his profile (which should show up in his posts) that says he is not allowed to trade.

 

Easily defeated with a secondary account and a proxy, therefore no point. I understand what you're trying to do though, but it's futile. As long as this remains a public forum, scum bags will always find ways to scam people.

I'm not commenting on the fact that he's been allowed back on, that's between him and Assembler - I presume he's been found to be innocent of the scam he was charged with? Otherwise why would he be allowed back on here.

 

Because its too much hassle to keep banning him apparently.

 

Really? Logically that would mean there are no ban-able offences then since screwing over a fellow gamer for cash means you're allowed back on.

Actually just thinking about where this topic goes from here is giving me a headache, fuck it.

 

Thats pretty much the jist of it.

Basically assember said he can just sign up over and over using proxies and he doesnt have the time for it.

So why I may have been paraphrasing slightly, thats basically what it boils down to.

 

Isn't that a mods job though? I mean I know banned users are back on here from past offences under pseudonyms, however to allow a user to fuck someone over then flaunt it like "yup I'm back, deal with it" is a bit...what's the word?

 

Thats exactly my point about it all.

 

What a beast!
Pretty sad, considering guys who did less damage are never allowed back here.

 

they are, if they can proxy their way past ASSEMbler's care.

 

Actually, no - this won't work because you need 50 posts in the marketplace to sell anything (there is no technical limitation as far as I know) if I remember correctly.
And honestly, you probably shouldn't trust anyone who just registered on the more expensive offers - even newbies should know that.

So giving these persons their normal account back for talking (maybe even providing good information for the community) is actually a good thing. Because they won't be increasing their post-count on a fake account which they just want to use for selling.

 

Might not be a bad idea, too bad you can't have the boards enforce the rule for you.

 

That is one possibility, or require a forced donation to use the marketplace.


As far as keeping proxy users out, just add this to your htaccess files on the server http://perishablepress.com/how-to-block-proxy-servers-via-htaccess/


That will block every proxy except tor basically. Tor is an actual network tunnel, to block tor users just place a ban on all of these ip addresses https://www.dan.me.uk/tornodes

 

Well another option would be to pull some personal user info together.

If using any type of cellular connection you can get their MSISDN and ban their actual cellular device.
you can pull the browser agent which usually is unique to a persons computer, even more so on phones & tablets.
they typically reuse the same password so you have use that as search criteria
temporary cookie banning exists, it only lasts as long as they don't clear their cookies

say if it gets a 2/3 match it blocks the user.

or you could run your own proxy server. basically if it detects someone is using a proxy, it will redirect them to your proxy. from there you can see their real ip address. non banned users wouldn't be affected at all.

 

How about you remove the trading subforums to those who arent supposed to see them? Also no buying/selling anything >100 if you have less that 150 posts.

 

Indeed. Maybe have a 200 post minimum and then the forum opens up to members.

 

I can picture this Gman fellow reading this and feeling all kinds of special.