create account

How Many Curation Accounts? by pjau

View this thread on: hive.blogpeakd.comecency.com
· @pjau · (edited)
$62.38
How Many Curation Accounts?
How many accounts would you say is too many? Some people might answer with something low such as 5, others might say 10 or even 20. But for some, that is just pennies on the dollar. They think that having thousands, or even 10s of thousands of accounts is normal, especially when they can get free faucet account creation and delegation from @steem through Steemit.

<center>
![](https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2017/08/30/07/52/money-2696219_960_720.jpg)
Source: [Pixabay](https://pixabay.com/photos/money-profit-finance-business-2696219/)
</center>

## Dart And Constructor Faucet Farms Update

The "Dart" and "Constructor" faucet farms (named after their original main accounts) have been updated. A total of 3,497 new accounts have now had their @steem delegation removed by Steemit. This is a very large amount of delegation returned to the faucet, which amounts to around 50,000 SP (basically a free Orca account). If this was just on one account that would rank them in the top 375 of all Steem accounts by SP. This also equates to around a $1.30 vote at the time of writing.

Between these two groups there are over 25,000 accounts. It is very likely that the same person operates these farms as transfers have been found linking them.

I first heard of Dart a little after I joined @steemcleaners about a year ago now. But from what I know of them is that they have been abusing Steem since the beginning. Throughout their history they have changed up their tactic many times. You name it, they have probably done it. You can find out more about different types of farming techniques [here](https://steemit.com/utopian-io/@steemcleaners/exploitative-steem-reward-farming).

### The Latest Activity

Recently it was discovered that 1,000s of accounts were transferring funds to an account called @curations, each with the memo **curation_reward**. Pretty suspicious don't you think?

![](https://i.imgur.com/JuOzsWP.png)

Each of these account were doing the exact same thing, they were all set up to simply upvote other peoples content. Which is definitely a new tactic, normally these farms are setup to self vote their own accounts. But this is still abuse, they have created thousands of accounts through Steemit, they are only allowed **one**. Plus they are still earning curation rewards from voting and this comes from the reward pool that we all share.

![](https://i.imgur.com/liO5dIF.png)

As you can see below they have been doing this for months, this is the same for the other accounts too. A power down was also initiated on multiple occasions as well, this is so they can cash out the funds and then get their @steem delegation topped up automatically. I mean they wouldn't want to end up using their own SP would they.

![](https://i.imgur.com/vxnOmSx.png)

Then once or twice a month (it used to be a lot more) transfer out the earnings via the @bittrex exchange. As you can see in the screenshot below they have sent thousands of Steem. This isn't even the only account, they have many others that have sent 10s of thousands of Steem and SBD. Notably @dart, @tard, @luckdiver and many more. In the past they have used other exchanges too.

![](https://i.imgur.com/6uMEqhe.png)

I'm sure this won't be the last of it, but hopefully it has put a slight dent in it for the time being.

## GitHub Pull Request (PR)

You can read more about which accounts were added here [#67](https://github.com/steemit/redeemer-irredeemables/pull/67). Because of the PR, Steemit Inc removed the delegation to these accounts.

## How You Can Help Stop Abuse

You can help by reporting suspicious activity like this to the @steemcleaners at our [Discord](https://discord.gg/XvFfuAz) or by filling out the form at http://steemcleaners.com/reports/new

<center>
# Vote for me as Witness
[https://steemit.com/~witnesses](https://steemit.com/~witnesses): type in **pjau** and click **vote**
<a href="https://steemit.com/~witnesses"><img src="https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmbZzFiWThQMwWe42VnMCTYuuWLNjsQGBKsd8dysd7eUPK/vote.PNG"></a>
[Vote @pjau via Steemconnect](https://steemconnect.com/sign/account-witness-vote?witness=pjau&approve=1)
</center>
πŸ‘  , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , and 163 others
πŸ‘Ž  , , ,
properties (23)
authorpjau
permlinkhow-many-curation-accounts
categoryutopian-io
json_metadata{"tags":["utopian-io","anti-abuse","faucet-abuse","spam","steem"],"users":["steem","steemcleaners","curations","bittrex","dart","tard","luckdiver"],"image":["https://cdn.pixabay.com/photo/2017/08/30/07/52/money-2696219_960_720.jpg","https://i.imgur.com/JuOzsWP.png","https://i.imgur.com/liO5dIF.png","https://i.imgur.com/vxnOmSx.png","https://i.imgur.com/6uMEqhe.png","https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmbZzFiWThQMwWe42VnMCTYuuWLNjsQGBKsd8dysd7eUPK/vote.PNG"],"links":["https://pixabay.com/photos/money-profit-finance-business-2696219/","https://steemit.com/utopian-io/@steemcleaners/exploitative-steem-reward-farming","https://github.com/steemit/redeemer-irredeemables/pull/67","https://discord.gg/XvFfuAz","http://steemcleaners.com/reports/new","https://steemit.com/~witnesses","https://steemconnect.com/sign/account-witness-vote?witness=pjau&approve=1"],"app":"steemit/0.1","format":"markdown"}
created2019-03-28 05:20:00
last_update2019-03-28 05:22:36
depth0
children15
last_payout2019-04-04 05:20:00
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value47.580 HBD
curator_payout_value14.798 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length4,148
author_reputation21,661,967,884,391
root_title"How Many Curation Accounts?"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id82,077,080
net_rshares92,955,902,543,131
author_curate_reward""
vote details (231)
@enforcer48 ·
$7.67
Hello again @pjau.

I see the abuser(s) continued to reap rewards through free delegations from @steem. I do recognize the @whitebot account. I have received votes from them a while back.

It seems deceptive that they are "curating" other Steemians' content with faucet delegations. I have no doubt they are frontrunning large upvotes to earn disproportional rewards. There is nothing anyone can do about the pending rewards on legitimate content.

While I am appreciative of Steemit Inc. being more active in removing these delegations, this is their problem. ``Instead of having a way to delegate RC to new users, they receive free voting power on top.`` I am surprised that neither @ned nor the top witnesses have made statements in regards to this matter.

I suppose 50K SP is not a big deal in the grand scheme, but what happens when more than one @dart group shows up? How much of that 11.4M SP will have to be in the hands of abusers before they come up with preventive measures? Or are they the operators themselves?

Cynicism aside, abusers continue to adapt to their changing environment. Anti-abuse initiatives will have to change tactics. In this case, it seems only Steemit holds the solution to this type of exploit.

---
Your contribution has been evaluated according to [Utopian policies and guidelines](https://join.utopian.io/guidelines), as well as a predefined set of questions pertaining to the category.

To view those questions and the relevant answers related to your post, [click here](https://review.utopian.io/result/13/1-3-2-2-3-2-3-1-1-2-1-).

---- 
Need help? Chat with us on [Discord](https://discord.gg/uTyJkNm).
[[utopian-moderator]](https://join.utopian.io/)
πŸ‘  , , , , , , , , , ,
properties (23)
authorenforcer48
permlinkre-pjau-how-many-curation-accounts-20190328t182608620z
categoryutopian-io
json_metadata{"tags":["utopian-io"],"app":"steempeak/1.9.4"}
created2019-03-28 18:26:09
last_update2019-03-28 18:26:09
depth1
children3
last_payout2019-04-04 18:26:09
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value5.774 HBD
curator_payout_value1.900 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length1,692
author_reputation426,234,157,901,725
root_title"How Many Curation Accounts?"
beneficiaries
0.
accountutopian.pay
weight500
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id82,110,074
net_rshares11,837,137,399,954
author_curate_reward""
vote details (11)
@pjau ·
Thanks @enforcer48

> While I am appreciative of Steemit Inc. being more active in removing these delegations, this is their problem. 

Yes, it is great that they DO remove the delegations, but having a system that prevents these abusers from creating these farms in the first place would be far more effective. As of now I'm unsure what checks are made, if any?

> delegate RC to new users

This is definitely a feature that I'm 100% for. I have seen a number of witnesses and members of the community in agreement with this.

> I suppose 50K SP is not a big deal in the grand scheme

Yes that is true, but if you take in the entire 40,000 accounts that are now on the list of delegation bans, we are talking whale SP numbers, and there are still more accounts that need to be added to it.
πŸ‘  ,
πŸ‘Ž  , , , ,
properties (23)
authorpjau
permlinkre-enforcer48-re-pjau-how-many-curation-accounts-20190328t184557241z
categoryutopian-io
json_metadata{"tags":["utopian-io"],"users":["enforcer48"],"app":"steemit/0.1"}
created2019-03-28 18:45:57
last_update2019-03-28 18:45:57
depth2
children1
last_payout2019-04-04 18:45:57
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.000 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length790
author_reputation21,661,967,884,391
root_title"How Many Curation Accounts?"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id82,111,082
net_rshares200,367,350
author_curate_reward""
vote details (7)
@enforcer48 ·
$0.03
The solution also seems so simple, but they do not seem to care, I guess...
πŸ‘  ,
properties (23)
authorenforcer48
permlinkre-pjau-re-enforcer48-re-pjau-how-many-curation-accounts-20190328t205132553z
categoryutopian-io
json_metadata{"tags":["utopian-io"],"app":"steemit/0.1"}
created2019-03-28 20:51:33
last_update2019-03-28 20:51:33
depth3
children0
last_payout2019-04-04 20:51:33
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.026 HBD
curator_payout_value0.008 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length75
author_reputation426,234,157,901,725
root_title"How Many Curation Accounts?"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id82,118,099
net_rshares51,124,869,609
author_curate_reward""
vote details (2)
@utopian-io ·
Thank you for your review, @enforcer48! Keep up the good work!
properties (22)
authorutopian-io
permlinkre-re-pjau-how-many-curation-accounts-20190328t182608620z-20190331t105554z
categoryutopian-io
json_metadata"{"app": "beem/0.20.17"}"
created2019-03-31 10:55:54
last_update2019-03-31 10:55:54
depth2
children0
last_payout2019-04-07 10:55:54
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.000 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length62
author_reputation152,955,367,999,756
root_title"How Many Curation Accounts?"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id82,243,276
net_rshares0
@jason7282 ·
$0.02
That's just way too many. 1 is good enough but whoever owns that is making a living with this website alone, crazy and absurd.
πŸ‘  , ,
properties (23)
authorjason7282
permlinkre-pjau-how-many-curation-accounts-20190328t060333057z
categoryutopian-io
json_metadata{"tags":["utopian-io"],"app":"steemit/0.1"}
created2019-03-28 06:03:33
last_update2019-03-28 06:03:33
depth1
children2
last_payout2019-04-04 06:03:33
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.018 HBD
curator_payout_value0.005 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length126
author_reputation12,384,186,555,907
root_title"How Many Curation Accounts?"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id82,078,577
net_rshares37,528,068,147
author_curate_reward""
vote details (3)
@enforcer48 · (edited)
The problem is not that they have that many accounts. The problem is that those are not their stake.

They are literally profiting off of delegations meant to help newbies.
properties (22)
authorenforcer48
permlinkre-jason7282-re-pjau-how-many-curation-accounts-20190328t184833196z
categoryutopian-io
json_metadata{"tags":["utopian-io"],"app":"steemit/0.1"}
created2019-03-28 18:48:42
last_update2019-03-28 20:49:24
depth2
children0
last_payout2019-04-04 18:48:42
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.000 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length172
author_reputation426,234,157,901,725
root_title"How Many Curation Accounts?"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id82,111,255
net_rshares0
@pjau ·
Yes, if you give an abuser an inch, they will take a mile. They have definitely earned a pretty penny from scamming the Steem faucet.
πŸ‘  ,
πŸ‘Ž  , , , ,
properties (23)
authorpjau
permlinkre-jason7282-re-pjau-how-many-curation-accounts-20190328t174732123z
categoryutopian-io
json_metadata{"tags":["utopian-io"],"app":"steemit/0.1"}
created2019-03-28 17:47:33
last_update2019-03-28 17:47:33
depth2
children0
last_payout2019-04-04 17:47:33
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.000 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length133
author_reputation21,661,967,884,391
root_title"How Many Curation Accounts?"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id82,107,931
net_rshares757,674,416
author_curate_reward""
vote details (7)
@luegenbaron ·
Wow.

I didnt make nearly as much steem in my year here as these abusers in a few weeks.

Feelssadman

Posted using [Partiko Android](https://partiko.app/referral/luegenbaron)
πŸ‘  ,
properties (23)
authorluegenbaron
permlinkluegenbaron-re-pjau-how-many-curation-accounts-20190328t225540070z
categoryutopian-io
json_metadata{"app":"partiko","client":"android"}
created2019-03-28 22:55:39
last_update2019-03-28 22:55:39
depth1
children4
last_payout2019-04-04 22:55:39
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.000 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length175
author_reputation27,465,249,085,978
root_title"How Many Curation Accounts?"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id82,123,986
net_rshares15,642,846,038
author_curate_reward""
vote details (2)
@pjau ·
Yup, unfortunately that is how it goes, that's why we have to try and keep on top of it so it doesn't get even worse!
πŸ‘  , ,
πŸ‘Ž  , , , , , , , ,
properties (23)
authorpjau
permlinkre-luegenbaron-luegenbaron-re-pjau-how-many-curation-accounts-20190328t233530835z
categoryutopian-io
json_metadata{"tags":["utopian-io"],"app":"steemit/0.1"}
created2019-03-28 23:35:30
last_update2019-03-28 23:35:30
depth2
children3
last_payout2019-04-04 23:35:30
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.000 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length117
author_reputation21,661,967,884,391
root_title"How Many Curation Accounts?"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id82,125,096
net_rshares28,533,582,444
author_curate_reward""
vote details (12)
@luegenbaron ·
Luckily im not here for the moneyzz

Im here because __fuck centralization__ and actually are quite a few very interesting heads around here

Posted using [Partiko Android](https://partiko.app/referral/luegenbaron)
πŸ‘  
properties (23)
authorluegenbaron
permlinkluegenbaron-re-pjau-re-luegenbaron-luegenbaron-re-pjau-how-many-curation-accounts-20190328t233722148z
categoryutopian-io
json_metadata{"app":"partiko","client":"android"}
created2019-03-28 23:37:24
last_update2019-03-28 23:37:24
depth3
children2
last_payout2019-04-04 23:37:24
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.000 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length214
author_reputation27,465,249,085,978
root_title"How Many Curation Accounts?"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id82,125,157
net_rshares4,868,413,152
author_curate_reward""
vote details (1)
@steem-ua ·
#### Hi @pjau!

Your post was upvoted by @steem-ua, new Steem dApp, using UserAuthority for algorithmic post curation!
Your **UA** account score is currently 6.085 which ranks you at **#295** across all Steem accounts.
Your rank has not changed in the last three days.

In our last Algorithmic Curation Round, consisting of 181 contributions, your post is ranked at **#46**.
##### Evaluation of your UA score:

* You've built up a nice network.
* The readers appreciate your great work!
* You have already shown user engagement, try to improve it further.


**Feel free to join our [@steem-ua Discord server](https://discord.gg/KpBNYGz)**
properties (22)
authorsteem-ua
permlinkre-how-many-curation-accounts-20190331t084305z
categoryutopian-io
json_metadata"{"app": "beem/0.20.19"}"
created2019-03-31 08:43:06
last_update2019-03-31 08:43:06
depth1
children0
last_payout2019-04-07 08:43:06
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.000 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length638
author_reputation23,214,230,978,060
root_title"How Many Curation Accounts?"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id82,239,373
net_rshares0
@steemitboard ·
Congratulations @pjau! You have completed the following achievement on the Steem blockchain and have been rewarded with new badge(s) :

<table><tr><td>https://steemitimages.com/60x70/http://steemitboard.com/@pjau/voted.png?201903280622</td><td>You received more than 6000 upvotes. Your next target is to reach 7000 upvotes.</td></tr>
</table>

<sub>_You can view [your badges on your Steem Board](https://steemitboard.com/@pjau) and compare to others on the [Steem Ranking](http://steemitboard.com/ranking/index.php?name=pjau)_</sub>
<sub>_If you no longer want to receive notifications, reply to this comment with the word_ `STOP`</sub>



**Do not miss the last post from @steemitboard:**
<table><tr><td><a href="https://steemit.com/steem/@steemitboard/3-years-on-steem-happy-birthday-the-distribution-of-commemorative-badges-has-begun"><img src="https://steemitimages.com/64x128/http://u.cubeupload.com/arcange/BG6u6k.png"></a></td><td><a href="https://steemit.com/steem/@steemitboard/3-years-on-steem-happy-birthday-the-distribution-of-commemorative-badges-has-begun">3 years on Steem - The distribution of commemorative badges has begun!</a></td></tr><tr><td><a href="https://steemit.com/steem/@steemitboard/happy-birthday-the-steem-blockchain-is-running-for-3-years"><img src="https://steemitimages.com/64x128/http://u.cubeupload.com/arcange/BG6u6k.png"></a></td><td><a href="https://steemit.com/steem/@steemitboard/happy-birthday-the-steem-blockchain-is-running-for-3-years">Happy Birthday! The Steem blockchain is running for 3 years.</a></td></tr></table>

###### [Vote for @Steemitboard as a witness](https://v2.steemconnect.com/sign/account-witness-vote?witness=steemitboard&approve=1) to get one more award and increased upvotes!
properties (22)
authorsteemitboard
permlinksteemitboard-notify-pjau-20190328t102256000z
categoryutopian-io
json_metadata{"image":["https://steemitboard.com/img/notify.png"]}
created2019-03-28 10:22:57
last_update2019-03-28 10:22:57
depth1
children0
last_payout2019-04-04 10:22:57
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.000 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length1,741
author_reputation38,975,615,169,260
root_title"How Many Curation Accounts?"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id82,087,270
net_rshares0
@utopian-io ·
Hey, @pjau!

**Thanks for contributing on Utopian**.
We’re already looking forward to your next contribution!

**Get higher incentives and support Utopian.io!**
 Simply set @utopian.pay as a 5% (or higher) payout beneficiary on your contribution post (via [SteemPlus](https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/steemplus/mjbkjgcplmaneajhcbegoffkedeankaj?hl=en) or [Steeditor](https://steeditor.app)).

**Want to chat? Join us on Discord https://discord.gg/h52nFrV.**

<a href='https://steemconnect.com/sign/account-witness-vote?witness=utopian-io&approve=1'>Vote for Utopian Witness!</a>
properties (22)
authorutopian-io
permlinkre-how-many-curation-accounts-20190328t211815z
categoryutopian-io
json_metadata"{"app": "beem/0.20.17"}"
created2019-03-28 21:18:18
last_update2019-03-28 21:18:18
depth1
children0
last_payout2019-04-04 21:18:18
cashout_time1969-12-31 23:59:59
total_payout_value0.000 HBD
curator_payout_value0.000 HBD
pending_payout_value0.000 HBD
promoted0.000 HBD
body_length586
author_reputation152,955,367,999,756
root_title"How Many Curation Accounts?"
beneficiaries[]
max_accepted_payout1,000,000.000 HBD
percent_hbd10,000
post_id82,119,527
net_rshares0