TheManishPanwar ( talk ⁺ · tag · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · spi block · block log · CA · CheckUser( log) · investigate · cuwiki)

31 May 2022

Suspected sockpuppets

• DotServer ( talk ⁺ · tag · contribs · deleted contribs · logs · filter log · block user · spi block · block log · CA · CheckUser( log) · investigate · cuwiki)
• Tools: Editor interaction utility • Interaction Timeline • SPI Tools

I note the correspondence with the alleged sock master by DaxServer regarding their assertion that DotServer is a legitimate alternate account. That correspoindence has been cross posted to both accounts.I take a more robust view than DaxServer does.

I note the assertion at User:DotServer that it is a bot account. However, its edit history prior to 30 May 2022 is one of a puppet account. On that date it creates Wikipedia:Bots/Requests for approval/DotServer, a broadly empty boilerplate bot approval application

Both accounts make substantive manual edits in the same geography, with the same interests. This is, to me, a duck quacking into a PA system. I doubt CU is necessary so have not requested it 🇺🇦  Fiddle^Timtrent  Faddle^Talk to me 🇺🇦 09:54, 31 May 2022 (UTC) reply

Evidence of overlap is via the Editor Interaction Utility 🇺🇦  Fiddle^Timtrent  Faddle^Talk to me 🇺🇦 10:45, 31 May 2022 (UTC) reply

This diff shows one awarding the other a barnstar! My "Good Grief" alarm just went off! 🇺🇦  Fiddle^Timtrent  Faddle^Talk to me 🇺🇦 19:00, 31 May 2022 (UTC) reply

And this diff shows the other making edits to the one's user page.

Now, the sock-pair may be doing good work otherwise (or may not!) but this is so far outside the use of alternate accounts as to warrant censure. 🇺🇦  Fiddle^Timtrent  Faddle^Talk to me 🇺🇦 22:45, 31 May 2022 (UTC) reply

Neither, however, has edited in any substantial manner since this investigation was opened. Each editor/ID is aware of the investigation but appears not to choose to offer a defence 🇺🇦  Fiddle^Timtrent  Faddle^Talk to me 🇺🇦 21:34, 3 June 2022 (UTC) reply

Just to make thsi more conclusive, please look at c:File:Uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL).jpg whcih is stated to come from https://www.flickr.com/photos/195542768@N04/52148261086/

The file was uploaded to Commons by Dotserver, with the following commentary "Uploaded a work by Manish Panwar from https://www.flickr.com/photos/195542768@N04/52148261086/ with UploadWizard"

I am about to leave a UPE warning on one or both "editors'" talk pages. 🇺🇦  Fiddle^Timtrent  Faddle^Talk to me 🇺🇦 21:20, 15 June 2022 (UTC) reply

These two are back, tag teaming now on Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited. I note that CU has been requested by DaxServer. I had not felt it justified hitherto, and request that they offer justification here for the CU request.

Unless they consider there to be others, or sleepers, I feel that the extremely loud quacking is likely to meet our needs 🇺🇦  Fiddle^Timtrent  Faddle^Talk to me 🇺🇦 13:05, 16 June 2022 (UTC) reply

May I permit myself a "Good Grief!"? Dotserver has now declared on their user page the account to be a bot account of TheManishPanwar, but is editing from it manually. Additionally they are editing TMP's user page. They have now received a level 3 UPE warning. TMP has received a level one two now. 🇺🇦  Fiddle^Timtrent  Faddle^Talk to me 🇺🇦 17:30, 16 June 2022 (UTC) reply

I've had both of these users on my watchlist for a while, waiting for when the SPI would be opened. The editing of the same pages with no prior disclosure, and the style of editing definitely has the feel of UPE. ScottishFinnishRadish ( talk) 17:38, 16 June 2022 (UTC) reply

@ ScottishFinnishRadish My good faith is now stretched beyond its elastic limit. TMP has now stated on their talk page that they are not a paid editor. Evidence suggests this may not be correct 🇺🇦  Fiddle^Timtrent  Faddle^Talk to me 🇺🇦 18:16, 16 June 2022 (UTC) reply

Indeed so has the other one, the alleged Bot account. Hard to see how a Bot can do that. 🇺🇦  Fiddle^Timtrent  Faddle^Talk to me 🇺🇦 18:19, 16 June 2022 (UTC) reply

Ahh @ Timtrent I thought I opened the SPI and thus moved to CU request. I usually mark the SPIs for CU technical evidence when I'm confident that they are socks. The technical evidence puts a confirmed status on the case, which is why I prefer that in my SPIs. If you'd like I can revert it? — DaxServer ( t · m · c) 18:31, 16 June 2022 (UTC) reply

@ DaxServer I have no issue with your request. The SPI clerks tend to appreciate justification. 🇺🇦  Fiddle^Timtrent  Faddle^Talk to me 🇺🇦 18:36, 16 June 2022 (UTC) reply

Comments by other users

Accused parties may also comment/discuss in this section below. See Defending yourself against claims.

• (Roped in via Teahouse post) Both accounts have now denied the UPE accusations on their respective talk pages. However believable or un- that denial may be, clearly not an appropriate use of multiple accounts. 199.208.172.35 ( talk) 18:12, 16 June 2022 (UTC) reply
• There seem to be suspicious editing on Hindi wiki as well [1]. If blocked as socks, please request locks! — DaxServer ( t · m · c) 18:41, 16 June 2022 (UTC) reply

Clerk, CheckUser, and/or patrolling admin comments

•  Confirmed User:DotServer to User:TheManishPanwar. I've applied an SPI block to DotServer but recommend sanctions against TheManishPanwar as well. EdJohnston ( talk) 16:19, 29 June 2022 (UTC) reply
• TheManishPanwar has been blocked for one week by Deepfriedokra. Closing. I am not going to request locks as neither account is blocked on hiwiki or any other wiki (stewards will generally decline to lock accounts if they have not been blocked on multiple projects). Spicy ( talk) 01:50, 1 July 2022 (UTC) reply