31 Fake Wayspots due to Wayfarer Abuse
VeIvetRemedy-ING
Posts: 32 ✭✭✭
This is a follow on thread from the one that was previously closed before action was taken against all fake wayspots identified in it https://community.wayfarer.nianticlabs.com/discussion/36267/rampant-wayfarer-abuse-in-kiribati
While the Niantic team has done a decent job at removing some of the fakes, there are still many more on the island, some of which are so obvious it’s a wonder they didn’t get removed the first time around.
Fakes identified by either stolen photos or other third party photographic evidence
"Poster Cassidy International Airport" - https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=1.982267,-157.35481&z=17&pll=1.982267,-157.35481: Photo stolen from this 2013 blog post: https://www.qsl.net/ah6hy/kiribati.html There's a lot of fake murals around it too.
"Tabwakea village" - https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=1.995209,-157.480379&z=17&pll=1.995209,-157.480379: Stolen from https://www.travel-tour-guide.com/kiribati/01_christmas_island.htm
"Poland St Stanislas Church" - https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=1.866227,-157.553342&z=17&pll=1.866227,-157.553342: The photo is from here https://www.google.com/maps/uv?pb=!1s0x7a029a8dc5024c29%3A0x4d6c015a47fbc019!3m1!7e115!4shttps%3A%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipMqRuRgxvm53XUkVNpDXJmRBkq8rz7b0pwILZwP%3Dw120-h160-k-no!5sst%20stanislaus%20church%20kiribati%20-%20Google%20Search!15sCgIgAQ&imagekey=!1e10!2sAF1QipMqRuRgxvm53XUkVNpDXJmRBkq8rz7b0pwILZwP&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiPrNfzlZ76AhVFzDgGHcSXDRsQoip6BAhYEAM
"KIESP Energy Program" - https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=1.986957,-157.472918&z=17&pll=1.986957,-157.472918 Image stolen from https://www.infratec.co.nz/projects/kiritimati-island-energy-sector-programme
"Welcome to Lagoon View" - https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=2.011717,-157.484491&z=17&pll=2.011717,-157.484491: Cropped photo stolen from Google review https://www.google.com/maps/uv?pb=!1s0x7a02a22ef0efe4a1%3A0x1357555c64cf6dea!3m1!7e115!4shttps%3A%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipM8HMPCTh-xYujfmgJ2hHyvDewGzRcGfn6LTav3%3Dw260-h175-n-k-no!5sKiritimati%20Port%20-%20Google%20Search!15sCgIgAQ&imagekey=!1e10!2sAF1QipM8HMPCTh-xYujfmgJ2hHyvDewGzRcGfn6LTav3&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwii9MGuxaT6AhW84jgGHUUJB44Q7ZgBKAB6BAgNEAI
“Captain Cook Hotel” - https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=2.008602,-157.396174&z=17&pll=2.008602,-157.396174 Photo stolen from Google review https://www.google.com/maps/place/Captain+Cook+Hotel/@2.0077902,-157.3963746,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m8!1e2!3m6!1sAF1QipPhe3C-7sfktqqDA61nneAXua_gpFli5mhxWG7J!2e10!3e12!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipPhe3C-7sfktqqDA61nneAXua_gpFli5mhxWG7J%3Dw203-h152-k-no!7i4032!8i3024!4m10!3m9!1s0x7a02a06590323977:0xe2342fb5dab5d41f!5m2!4m1!1i2!8m2!3d2.0083327!4d-157.3960573!14m1!1BCgIgAQ
"Horizon lodge" - https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=1.984846,-157.478528&z=17&pll=1.984846,-157.478528 Cropped and stolen from a Google review https://www.google.com/maps/contrib/108069322200115718850/photos/@1.9848383,-157.4785095,3a,75y,90t/data=!3m7!1e2!3m5!1sAF1QipMpC3yaCOKY7rAPAyIttKZsgV0tXKTkApyKUzI!2e10!6shttps:%2F%2Flh5.googleusercontent.com%2Fp%2FAF1QipMpC3yaCOKY7rAPAyIttKZsgV0tXKTkApyKUzI%3Dw462-h260-k-no!7i1920!8i1080!4m3!8m2!3m1!1e1
"mural" - https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=1.985788,-157.474364&z=17&pll=1.985788,-157.474364: It’s actually a mural in Caracas, Venezuela. Not the same photo, but it’s very clearly an exact match on the mural, just taken in different lighting conditions https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=10.494195,-66.877093&z=17&pll=10.494195,-66.877093
"Dolphin Mural" - https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=1.978295,-157.355489&z=17&pll=1.978295,-157.355489: It's a photo of a mural in Hyderabad, India. The dirt patterns in the bottom right corner match https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=17.504005,78.397908&z=17&pll=17.504005,78.397908
"Balinese Garuda Wisnu Statue" - https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=1.98706,-157.476898&z=17&pll=1.98706,-157.476898: Portal image is from this one in Bali https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=-8.622724,115.276268&z=17&pll=-8.622724,115.276268
"Kiribati Dragon" - https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=1.982823,-157.477522&z=17&pll=1.982823,-157.477522: Is actually a statue outside the Coronado library in California https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=32.691141,-117.177051&z=17&pll=32.691141,-117.177051 Here is a better angle that matches the fake in Kiribati https://dynamic-media-cdn.tripadvisor.com/media/photo-o/1c/d0/e3/6b/all-imaginative-adventures.jpg?w=500&h=500&s=1
"mural" - https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=1.986374,-157.472107: Comes from Venustiano Carranza, Mexico City: http://politahumming.blogspot.com/2017/05/tepito-fierce-neighborhoods-crafts.html
"Strong Shark" - https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=1.988203,-157.478111: Just a printout of a sticker: https://www.amazon.com/Aggressive-Muscular-Flexing-Wearing-Football/dp/B079QVLDHJ
"Mural Artístico MARIOSO Hondureño" - https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=1.981764,-157.472359&z=17&pll=1.981764,-157.472359: It's from Saavedra, Buenos Aires, Argentina https://www.instagram.com/p/ChDd8vFPoA4/
"Crop drying cabins" - https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=1.986318,-157.47445&z=17&pll=1.986318,-157.47445: Third party photo. See the watermark in the bottom right. It's someone with a travel blog http://drfumblefinger.com/
"Magic Beast" - https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=1.987734,-157.478264&z=17&pll=1.987734,-157.478264: I don't know about you, but that looks like the Hamilton Library in Honolulu in the background to me https://www.google.com/maps/@21.3012968,-157.8158597,3a,75y,205.75h,83.4t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1syq1p9u6e8SjKgdx2INKULg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656 Street view from 2011, granted, but here is the statue on its website https://foursquare.com/v/hamilton-library/4b613d2ef964a520ca0d2ae3
"Kiribati Port" - https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=1.982162,-157.468608&z=17&pll=1.982162,-157.468608: It's a structure in Necochea, Argentina. Here is the closest portal that matches the photo https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=-38.587209,-58.737898&z=17&pll=-38.587209,-58.737898 And here is a blog post with a photo that shows the structure from a different angle (approx halfway down the page) https://www.conocelaprovincia.com.ar/necochea-costa-atlantica/
Fakes identified by mismatched scenery
"Streetart mural" - https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=1.982525,-157.475181&z=17&pll=1.982525,-157.475181: Mountains in the background of the image. There are no mountains in Kiribati
"Kiribati Waterpump" - https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=1.985618,-157.474815&z=17&pll=1.985618,-157.474815: Fake photo. Kiritimati does not have paved roads, nor those style of houses
"Estadio Internacional De Islas Cook" - https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=1.953626,-157.484636&z=17&pll=1.953626,-157.484636: Again, this islet has no human structurs on it. And there are buildings in the photo
"Neludia Cochinos y Sucios Flys" - https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=1.987822,-157.475049&z=17&pll=1.987822,-157.475049: Look at satellite view. There are no walls or paved floors there. Also the name seems to be meant to bully someone? Neludia is a Spanish language Pokemon Go Youtuber. The name has nothing to do with the photo subject matter.
"Mono Drogao" - https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=1.980939,-157.478141&z=17&pll=1.980939,-157.478141: Paved floors and roads in the background. Such a building structure also does not exist on Kiritimati
"Keibron Gamers Playground" - https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=1.986899,-157.473886&z=17&pll=1.986899,-157.473886: There is no elevated highway bridge like that in Kiribati. Keibron Gamer is also the name of a Pokemon Go Youtuber https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwVfFOefapRoTWzaLowo59Q
"cristo church" - https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=1.982281,-157.476431&z=17&pll=1.982281,-157.476431: Check satellite view. There are no trees there, and there are only 2 standard Kiribati style houses nearby, not a church structure.
"fountain" - https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=1.984118,-157.477209&z=17&pll=1.984118,-157.477209: Paved roads and concrete buildings in the background. Once again, no such structures exist on the island.
"Grasmere Chess Station" - https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=1.98187,-157.477856&z=17&pll=1.98187,-157.477856: Satellite view shows it's water. Nothing in the photo matches up with the environment. Where are the tables, grass, paved footpaths, 2 storey brick buildings?
"La Pulguita Rodriguez" - https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=1.981425,-157.478616&z=17&pll=1.981425,-157.478616: See above. Where is the concrete wall in the photo?
"Carlitos Tevez" - https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=1.9813,-157.477649&z=17&pll=1.9813,-157.477649: Again see above. I should probably mention at this point that they don't speak Spanish in Kiribati.
"escultura de León prehispánica" - https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=1.986391,-157.478703&z=17&pll=1.986391,-157.478703: There's a person that's the focus of this photo. The environment does not match what actually exists on the island.
"Mural Central Cordoba (SDE)" - "https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=1.987011,-157.474437&z=17&pll=1.987011,-157.474437" Another fake photo with barbed wire walls that do not exist on the island
"Fishing area" - https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=1.990084,-157.47084&z=17&pll=1.990084,-157.47084 The map in the photo points to a different location to where the portal is. It's been intentionally misplaced.
Comments
I only did check one thing - the St. Stanislas Church in Poland.
Yes, it might be that it was taken from google, but on the other hand, when you are on Kiribati, could you take a better picture?
Third party photo is supposed to be a rejection criteria.
2 more found:
Sacred Stone Statue” - https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=1.987305,-157.476913&z=17&pll=1.987305,-157.476913 The photo is the bottom half of this portal from Bali, right down to the plants next to it https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=-8.665651,115.194773&z=17&pll=-8.665651,115.194773
“Sacred Sirtha Shrine” - https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=1.987327,-157.47734&z=17&pll=1.987327,-157.47734 See the above portal from Bali. https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=-8.665651,115.194773&z=17&pll=-8.665651,115.194773 It is the shrine just out of frame on the left. You can see the background matches up.
@NianticAaron @NianticLC Any action on these and the ones in the main post?
Not sure why Nia hasn't removed the obvious fakes, especially the obvious fake with some dude posing in it. It's almost like Nia still wants the place used by those with joysticks.
Here are some gems from a friend who was generous enough with giving up their bonus location, these are still in queue, so evidently Nia did not flush the queue for obvious fakes, or they did but isn't keeping on top of it.
Nice phone background:
No man made structure there, it's on a beach pretty much:
No wall there and it's a stock image is from pixabay:
Location is in the middle of the water:
Marker is right off the beach, in the water:
This is Cathedral of Our Lady of the Rosary, on Koinawa Island, not London, also same photo as one of the previously removed wayspots:
So yeah, they're certainly trying to rebuild.
This one just went live.
"Entrada a Islas Cook" - https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=1.954245,-157.485269&z=17&pll=1.954245,-157.485269 Just look at the photo and then the satellite view. It speaks for itself.
All UTC+14 submissions need to go into Niantic voting, not the regular Wayfarer pool.
@NianticLC @NianticOtoStar @NianticTintino-ING Can one of yall escalate this?
Seems like the Kiri queue is still full of gems, not a single legit wayspot nomination coming out of Kiri apparently.
Image search reveals this is from Ukraine, satellite view also places this on a beach. Real place (hopefully still), just not in the real location.
Looks like a nomination from the usual suspect, there is no building where the marker is placed.
Clearly not there on satellite view, nice title too - Spoofers' Playground?
Let's just say there are also some other interesting submissions that I've decided to not post.
For those who don't know, there is another banwave to GO players last week. This time, PG S#### users seem to be impacted.
Hopefully this will delay the spoofers for nominating new fake Pokestops there?
To think that a fake Wayspot with a familiar name is removed among all the fakes from Kiribati,
Feeling déjà vu? That username has been involved in several abuse cases, including this, this, this, and that famous cluster of Gyms spanning on a road (I think that report has been deleted from this forum).
I'd like to be surprised but it's Niantic we're talking about...
I was going to ask how are they not permanently banned from wayfarer, but they're probably using a bunch of sock accounts to submit anyway.
A bit off-topic but quick question: did Niantic ever consider Kiribati as beta tester country?
Those spoofers already enjoy their 1-hour spotlight there before the event was disabled halfway in NZ, Niantic...
Kiribati got the full spotlight hour and the two sets of Zoruas. Now some of our locales (Australia) have seen Zoruas being deployed in gyms.
Unless they flew from Kiribati or New Zealand within three hours, it is impossible for a Zorua to just appear here, which is even more proof Niantic will want nothing to do with curbing Wayfarer abuse or cheaters.
New fake portal https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=1.987626,-157.47491&z=17&pll=1.987626,-157.47491
Portal name contains the name of a Twitch streamer.
Looks like Niantic did another clean up of Kiribati - thank you. Still a few left but it's much better than before.
However, fakes are still popping up though....
"Pavillon" https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=1.982102,-157.472309&z=17&pll=1.982102,-157.472309
has identical photo as "Parasoles De La Ribera" in Zaragoza https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=41.661303,-0.892551&z=17&pll=41.661303,-0.892551
Hey @VeIvetRemedy-ING! We have reviewed this report and taken action on the Wayspots and the Wayfinders in accordance with our policies. However, we took another look at the Wayspot "Strong Shark" in question and decided that it does not meet our criteria for removal at this time.
Also, we have removed the invalid image of the referenced Wayspots "Poster Cassidy International Airport, Tabwakea village, Poland St Stanislas Church, KIESP Energy Program, Welcome to Lagoon View, Captain Cook Hotel and Horizon lodge" and you should see the changes reflected soon. You may update the image of the Wayspots via Pokémon GO or the Ingress Prime application. Please refer to the below links on the photo submission:
https://niantic.helpshift.com/hc/en/6-pokemon-go/faq/2144-submitting-a-pokestop-or-gym-contribution/?p=web&s=pokestops&f=submitting-a-pokestop-nomination
https://niantic.helpshift.com/hc/en/3-ingress/faq/449-how-can-i-submit-a-portal-edit/?p=web&s=portal-network&f=how-to-submit-edits-to-a-portal
Thanks for helping us maintain the quality of the Wayspots.
"However, we took another look at the Wayspot "Strong Shark" in question and decided that it does not meet our criteria for removal at this time."
OK thanks for confirming I can order stickers from the internet, put them up on any old wall, and they become valid wayspots. I'll get to doing that around my suburb.
This is the way.