Abuse: Democratic Republic of Congo
Tntnnbltn-ING
Posts: 809 Ambassador
A large number of fraudulent submissions have been located, using third-party photos from all around the world.
The ones in this first post are from Kongolo, which has a very high concentration of fakes (potentially all in the town). However, since then, additional fakes have been noticed in other villages and towns, and these have been posted as separate comments.
Title: Cafe dù IcedPlat
Location: -5.385967,26.993967
Notes: Image is a third-party stock photo from https://www.freeimages.com/photo/desert-cafe-1566214. Real cafe is in California.
Title: K'Inshu LaGraffé Stadium Pitch
Location: -5.389713,26.997542
Notes: Image is of the Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio. Exact image from this page: https://www.forbes.com/sites/timnewcomb/2021/07/01/new-columbus-crew-stadium-lowercom-field-anchors-urban-astor-park-development/?sh=3c8212b6750f
Title: Che
Location: -5.385503,27.003258
Notes: Image is cropped from this image: https://theculturetrip.com/south-america/bolivia/articles/the-che-guevara-statue-what-to-know-about-bolivias-most-controversial-sculpture/. Real statue is in Bolivia.
Title: Chukudu statue
Location: -5.386049,27.00574
Notes: Image is copied from here with some slight alterations to lighting: https://www.flickr.com/photos/jay-ramji/28133114203. The actual statue is in Goma City, ~500 km away.
Title: Kabane dans l’arbre
Location: -5.385629,27.008297
Notes: Image is stolen from this website: https://www.aluxurytravelblog.com/2020/09/28/new-luxury-treehouse-resort-in-okinawa-japan/. Actual treehouse is in Okinawa, Japan.
Title: Mario's Karts
Location: -5.38061,27.009772
Notes: Image is a promo shot for an electric scooter. https://cleantechnica.com/2020/09/24/canoo-shows-off-its-modular-electric-skateboard/
Title: The tree of life
Location: -5.383169,27.015578
Notes: Image is from this website about baobab trees in Indonesia: https://decorationplants.wordpress.com/2011/08/18/baobab-ornamental-trees-can-grow-in-indonesia/
Title: Animal Crossing
Location: -5.385002,27.018363
Notes: The real image is from this website, and has been flipped horizontally. The actual sign is from Namibia. https://www.changesinlongitude.com/unusual-animal-crossing-signs-around-the-world/
Title: Deadalus Maize Maze
Location: -5.390201,27.021237
Notes: Image is a cropped version from this website. https://www.thefallonpost.org/news/3827,get-lost-in-the-fairy-tales-and-folklore-corn-maze-at-lattin-farms. Actual location is Lattin Farms, Nevada, USA.
Title: “Hidden”
Location: -5.369738,27.012952
Notes: Image is stolen from this website (#12: Falls of Zongo). https://www.thecrazytourist.com/15-best-places-visit-democratic-republic-congo/ The Falls of Zongo are located 1300 kilometres west.
Title: Poudlard School
Location: -5.366442,27.021936
Notes: Image is of a Tata Somba house from Benin. The Wayspot description uses details from the (French) version of Harry Potter. "Boarding school founded by Godric Rowena & Helga Salazar for local gifted chilfren from Poufsouffle, Serdaigle and Serpentard."
Title: Unruly, the arkham goddess made of mischief
Location: -5.387533,27.009568
Notes: Image is cropped from here: https://www.bellaoutdoorsusa.com/products/copy-of-rococo-angel-torch-left-43
Title: Ginger God
Location: -5.387679,27.013862
Notes: Images is cropped from the second image in the gallery here, with adjustments to brightness and contrast: https://www.bellaoutdoorsusa.com/products/neptune-with-trident
Title: Name’s Chef
Location: -5.387449,27.019039
Notes: Stolen from online photo. Mural is by Australian street artist Lushsux. https://twitter.com/lushsux/status/1137649250295115777
Title: Jazz Hands
Location: -5.38167,27.010122
Notes: Image is taken form the fourth image in the gallery at this website: https://www.wallsauce.com/au/wall-murals-wallpaper/street-saxophone-player-mural-wallpaper
Title: Notel Motel
Location: -5.382283,27.010058
Notes: Image is taken from Pinterest. https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/539446861593174699/
Title: Platform 9 ¾
Location: -5.385649,27.009708
Notes: The image is of the Platform 9 3/4 sign from this display: https://www.dreamstime.com/photos-images/platform-9-3-4-kings-cross-station.html. The pattern of the bricks (short then wide) matches the photos here. Additionally, the Wayspot image appears to have been taken from a computer screen.
Title: Sn180py mural
Location: -5.393688,27.004637
Notes: Image is from https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/333407178635688511/. Real mural is in Pennsylvania, USA.
Title: Hebrew School & Synagogue
Location: -5.395407,27.002142
Notes: Image stolen from this website: http://jewswerehere.com/africa/midafrica/drc/. Real synagogue is in Lubumbashi.
Title: mischief & mayhem
Location: -5.40686,27.003772
Notes: Image taken from here: https://www.wayfair.com/outdoor/pdp/northlight-seasonal-decorative-sitting-cherub-angel-4-piece-garden-statue-set-nlgt7585.html
Title: Made of Mischief
Location: -5.383383,27.010343
Notes: Like the above Wayspot, appears to be a commercial lawn statue. (This one I couldn't find the source image for)
Title: Chelle’s rose
Location: -5.403426,26.993139
Notes: Image taken from this pinterest photo, flipped horizontally. https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/585468020304476951/
Title: The Spooder
Location: -5.4103,26.992868
Notes: 'Maman' sculpture from Ottawa. This exact image is one of the ones available for it online. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maman_(sculpture)
Title: OMEGALUL
Location: -5.394862,27.018631
Notes: Image is from Benagil Cave in Portugal. Haven't found the exact image used, but the swirling rock formation, including the bulge on the right hand side, matches in both images. https://www.tripadvisor.com.au/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g12741809-i474538877-Benagil_Lagoa_Faro_District_Algarve.html.
Title: The Music Legends
Location: -5.366457,27.007113
Notes: Mural is from Salt Lake City. https://www.visitsaltlake.com/blog/stories/post/salt-lakes-must-see-murals-and-street-art/
Title: Tradesman Mural
Location: -5.372126,26.993109
Notes: Mural from Tradesman Tavern, Cleveland. https://www.cleveland.com/dining/2011/01/tradesman_tavern_working-class.html
Title: Abandoned Outpost Remains
Location: -5.371728,26.998202
Notes: Screenshot of a 3D model. https://sketchfab.com/models/fe7ab192b44345eb9c0a264d7246ddcd/embed?utm_source=website&utm_campaign=blocked_scripts_error
Title: MadPineapple
Location: -5.375896,27.01042
Notes: Actual location is in South Africa. https://www.tripadvisor.in/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g675707-d3156014-i338756405-The_Big_Pineapple-Bathurst_Eastern_Cape.html
Title: Maddie’s Pineapple eatery
Location: -5.371363,27.006173
Notes: Image is a poor-resolution crop from this Pineapple restaurant in Vietnam. https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g737052-d8571713-i210484876-Pineapple_Restaurant-Lao_Cai_Lao_Cai_Province.html
Title: DJ "Ghost" Mural
Location: -5.371225,27.00562
Notes: Real mural is in Mexico. Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ilhuicamina/35942900180
Title: Evolution Mural
Location: -5.371986,27.001057
Notes: Actual mural is in Detroit. The Wayspot photo has been edited using a perspective tool to try to hide original image source. http://brandnudesign.com/new-blog/2014/1/29/the-z-opens-a-parking-garage-so-unique-it-has-its-own-documentary
Title: O.L.-Vrouw met de inktpot
Location: -5.392957,26.997076
Notes: Actual sculpture is in Belgium. https://www.dreamstime.com/sculpture-mary-holding-baby-jesus-wall-city-ghent-belgium-europe-sculpture-mary-holding-baby-jesus-wall-image200847213
Title: The AeroSoll International Airport Lounge
Location: -5.392425,26.988724
Notes: Photo is of Puza Bar in Melbourne, Australia. Exact photo can be found here: https://www.dappertude.com/lifestyle/drink/south-african-inspired-underground-bar/
Title: The Golden Trio
Location: -5.385095,27.009412
Notes: Image has a watermark running across it, indicating it is from a third-party source. Watermark is hard to see against the brick, but the "A" is clearly visible on Harry Potter's collar. This image matches a common decal design. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Stickers-Hermione-Hogwarts-Sticker-Decoration/dp/B07S1F7ZJ7
Title: A Mischievous Hobgoblin
Location: -5.385838,27.00931
Notes: Image is cropped from this website: https://www.dallasnews.com/arts-entertainment/things-to-do/2019/08/08/go-inside-harry-potter-bar-in-dallas-is-a-wizard-s-wonderland/. The mural is in the bathrooms for a Harry Potter themed bar in Dallas, Texas.
Title: Muggle Quidditch Field
Location: -5.382466,27.005914
Notes: Could not find the source image, however, the satellite imagery does not seem to match, and there has already been a high number of Harry Potter related fake images.
Title: The Boy Who Lived
Location: -5.377597,27.009444
Notes: Another decal. https://anydecals.com/harry-potter-scar-glasses-decal-sticker/
Title: Its me
Location: -5.389391,27.017206
Notes: Photoshop. This is the Lavender Town Ghost sprite from Pokemon, with white parts set to transparent and a brick wall photo behind it. The image is floating in front of the bricks.
Title: Icebot quiet little library
Location: -5.390746,27.006028
Notes: The photo is taken off of a computer screen.
Title: Stardust Trails
Location: -5.402211,27.002532
Notes: I believe the image is a sunset photo from Lake Tahoe. The ninth image on this page is very similar -- including matching mountain range in the background: https://wallpaperaccess.com/california-lake. (Regardless of the actual location for the source image, it is definitely not where this Wayspot is located, given the photo shows it is adjacent to water and the Wayspot is located inland)
Title: Macharoni n Cheese Brigade
Location: -5.380189,26.994894
Notes: Original store is "Savanna Snack Bar" in Toronto. The image here is a crop from the second image on this page: https://usarestaurants.info/explore/canada/ontario/toronto-division/toronto/africa-restaurant-416-392-5929.htm. "Africa Treats" has been photoshopped out and replaced with "Mach & Cheese".
Comments
Sadly, more abuse has been identified in another DRC town. All three Wayspots in Kamina are fraudulent.
Title: Old Stadium Pillars
Location: -8.738252,24.987664
Source: Illinois, USA. https://fightingillini.com/news/2021/5/31/football-memorial-stadium-columns-history.aspx
Title: Simon Bolívar Monument
Location: -8.738875,24.987428
Source: Sydney, Australia. https://www.cityartsydney.com.au/artwork/simon-bolivar/
Title: The Graceful Pelican Mural
Location: -8.755087,24.983021
Source: Melbourne, Australia. https://www.discoverfrankston.com/things-to-do/murals-street-art/frankston/the-graceful-ascent
Another one, this time from Likasa, DRC.
Title: Likasi Park Waterfalls
Location: -10.981535,26.741639
Source: Old Man's Cave Falls, Hocking Hill, Ohio. (Google Image search will show same waterfall)
How interesting. Just, what happened there? A country that had 127 Wayspots as per August 2021, had suddenly received about 40 Wayspots scattered in one town on one of most dry voting area in the world? Little to none chance if this was done by locals.
By the way @Mormegil71-ING what's the number now?
Butembo, DRC.
Title: Iron Fist Monument
Location: 0.149601,29.308675
Source: Saudi Arabia. http://www.sculpturesofjeddah.com/sculptures/detail/the-fist
Title: Rising Neptune Monument
Location: 0.14977,29.308869
Source: Virginia, USA. https://www.loc.gov/item/2020724270/
Title: Estatuá de JAVA
Location: 0.105971,29.301537
Source: Coasta Rica. http://www.ipernity.com/doc/jonathan.cohen/42011038
Kolwezi, DRC
There appears to be large numbers of Wayspots for roundabouts, all without images. Mwangezi roundabout has 8 Wayspots for the one roundabout... Unsure how this happened, but came across it while investigating fraudulent submissions and thought this should be looked at.
Mwangezi Roundabout
Rond point Monte Carlo
Lions Square (Roundabout)
I'm also wondering about that. The chances there's an active local reviewing community there are very slim. Combined with the highly abusive nature of these new wayspots... this is a very odd anomaly.
it could be one or a small group of locals who made enough accounts to hit the minimum required review count to get things approved.
I feel like abuse using 3rd party photos has become much more common in recent months, and I can't help but feel like a lot of this abuse could be automatically detected by the system.
Is the investigation still ongoing? It has been three weeks since the initial report, and other than some removals in the first day there has been no subsequent action...
Recently, nominations are frequently made around the world using photos stolen from third parties and Street View.
As I suggested in another thread, I think it should be changed so that EXIF with location information is always attached.
I think this is a spoofer group trying to create their own little secret cluster. They probably chose this area because there are no local reviewers who could mess up their plans by rejecting or moving stuff and they were hoping nobody would ever notice.
This is my guess, anyway.
I do not approve of fakes, but where do you have game reports on the removal of portals
You don't need in-game reports for 3rd party photos. Regardless of whether the spot exists, the 3rd party photo makes it invalid. There's no need to visit in person.
Aside from removing these stolen wayspots, the Wayfarer team needs to collaborate with the Pokémon GO and Ingress teams.
Those who nominated these wayspots. The reviewers. And those who accessed these wayspots need to be stopped immediately.
It's not just about logging into Wayfarer.
All game logins need to be stopped.
This needs to be done immediately.
Looks like they've removed some Wayspots from that location alone.
@NianticGiffard @NianticVK Sorry for the number of tags today... I've just been going through old appeals which are still awaiting responses...
I recognise this one may have been more complex due to the number of Wayspots reported, but has there been an outcome to the investigation yet?
Thank you.
Sorry for the delay in responding to your report. We have reviewed it and taken action on the 28 Wayspots and 11 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.
Thanks for helping us maintain the quality of the Wayspots.