Part 2 of Fake Wayspots in Guilford, CT

LucaLucaBea-PGO

Last time, I found some fake wayspots during reviewing nominations and posted in this post (and thanks to @/NianticGiffard some of the obvious ones got removed) https://community.wayfarer.nianticlabs.com/discussion/24045/several-fake-wayspots-noticed-during-reviewing-which-have-been-approved#latest

Recently I continued to get fake nominations to review from Guilford, CT and they kept getting accepted. Obviously one of the main reason is that players are allowed to use any photo for the nomination. But at the same time, this player(s) is also intentionally putting the nominations near or in wooded areas so there is no way to verify the location. Also, since some of the nominations are obviously fake, the fact that they get accepted makes me suspect they have multiple accounts doing nomination reviews. Anyway, here is part 2:

Wayspots with this 9/11 memorial pic (there are 2 versions of this pic if you check the wayspots listed below)

• 9/11 Memorial Plaque (41.308075,-72.679291) (also on PRP)
• September 11th Memorial Plaque (41.290897,-72.6841)
• Guilford Club 9/11 Memorial (41.290208,-72.689463)
• 9/11 Remembarance (41.289683,-72.694054)
• We Will Never Forget (41.283557,-72.683505)
• September 11th Memorial Plaque (41.298327,-72.688924)
• September 11th Memorial Plaque (41.279347,-72.672681)

I don't know which one is the oldest, but none of them can be verified through street/satellite view.

Wayspots with this footbridge pic:

• Sluice Creek Footbridge (41.279249,-72.674882)
• The John Landock Trail Footbridge (41.292517,-72.69243)
• Peddlers Park Footbridge Trail (41.293529,-72.707753)
• West Woods Footbridge (41.269454,-72.703515)

Again, I wasn't able to verify the original location. But if there is any way to know which one is the oldest, it might help.

I posted this one last time:

• Great Blue Heron Information Stop (41.270321,-72.662263)
• Great Blue Heron Habitat Sign (41.275708,-72.679017)
• Great Blue Heron Information Plaque (41.268137,-72.703273)

This one is using the gazebo picture I reported last time while the picture and satellite view has nothing in common:

• JB Wood Lookout Gazeebo (41.313835,-72.692211)

Several "St.George Healing Gardens":

• Saint George Healing Garden (41.315191,-72.683667)
• Saint George Healing Garden (41.307573,-72.679432)
• Saint George Healing Garden (41.278214,-72.676805)

This mural that pops up at different places:

• The George Floyde Mural by Mark Pain (41.29917,-72.706589)
• The Leader (41.287414,-72.677844) (likely the original based on name)
• George Floyde Mural by Mark Pain (41.281197,-72.679737)

Note that they used the name "Mark Pain" in various situations (named the gazebo Mark Pain in my other post, the mural by Mark Pain, and following this there is sculpture by Mark Pain), which makes me suspect any wayspot with "Mark Pain" in the title is fake.

This trail marker:

• Peter Borgemeister Trail (41.312628,-72.696424) (likely the original)
• Peter Borgemeister Trail (41.268811,-72.703528)

Additionally, multiple fake wayspots showed up around the same location, where these following wayspots also showed up recently:

• Captain Connor Isnard's Fountain Sculpture (41.268591,-72.705384)
• Abstract Wall Sculpture by Mark Pain (41.268038,-72.704728) (this name again)
• West Woods Footbridge on the Blue Trail (41.266878,-72.704127)

Based on the satellite view, it's very unlikely any of these wayspot exists.

Finally, another sculpture by "Mark Pain":

Proud and Pregnant Sculpture by Mark Pain (41.29808,-72.685332)

Again, as I only noticed these during my reviewing, I really can't provide any more than the duplicate photos as proof. I'm not sure how much info can be extracted from the wayspots on the Niantic side, or whether it's worth the effort to do so. While I don't take any joy in making this post, the fact that such exploits can be used to effectively create so many fake wayspots makes me feel obligated to do so. Because gradually I can't help but feel the effort I put in nominating/reviewing is not really meaningful to the very system I'm invested in. Anyway, I'll be on my way now and hopefully some of these get recognized.

NianticGiffard

Thanks for bringing this to our attention, @LucaLucaBea-PGO! We have reviewed the report and have taken action on the 19 Wayspots and the 3 Wayfinders in accordance with our policies. While we are unable to discuss our actions in detail to protect the submitter’s privacy, they may include, but are not limited to, sending a warning message, placing restrictions on their Wayfarer, Pokémon GO, or Ingress account, putting their account on probation, or placing a temporary or permanent suspension on their Wayfarer, Pokémon GO or Ingress account.

Also, due to insufficient evidence, we’re unable to review the Wayspot "Footbridge". If you have additional evidence (geotagged images, photospheres) to share, please submit a new appeal with additional information and we’ll take another look.