Overwhelming number of fake wayspot in Stephenville Newfoundland
This is a follow up to my post in the Appeals section yesterday: https://community.wayfarer.nianticlabs.com/discussion/32491/town-in-eastern-canada-with-huge-number-of-fake-wayspots#latest
Myself and several others took a deeper look into the wayspots in this town and there's a ton of fakes.
Most of what we could conclusively identify are the trail markers as they have a specific name that can be searched for elsewhere. Unfortunately the dozens of foot bridges, utility box artworks, and little free libraries (nearly all of the above on PRP) are almost impossible to find the "real" thing but based on the sheer number of certainly fake wayspots identified it's reasonable to assume that many of the ones not found on the list below are also fake.
This is another incident that should be fully investigated to see who was involved and in what ways.
Old Days Painted Utility Box
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.553213,-58.578969
real location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.105807,-122.738596
notes:
says "city of surrey" right on it
Totem Pole
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.551682,-58.588025
real location: stolen from Ocean Totem https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.154394,-122.971365
notes:
not sure, but there sure as heck are no mountains like that in NFLD, likely in BC
Little Free Library
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/intel?pll=48.556463,-58.594082&z=18
real location: stolen from Dalhousie Book Exchange https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.435096,-123.316108
Brown Sugar Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=48.573202,-58.569466
real location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.494216,-123.777152&z=16
Butterfly Utility Box
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=48.559311,-58.583807&z=17&pll=48.559311,-58.583807
real location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=39.518922,-85.753142
https://www.jennifer-geiger.com/2021?pgid=ktxdt1vc-028ee1bd-ce63-431f-9d89-ea0550417d39
Bruce Blvd Baseball Field A
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.554227,-58.600521
real location: can't find
notes:
k-12 but also just fake, all satellite history through 5/21 shows they're not here
Bruce Blvd Baseball Field D
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.553187,-58.600298
real location: can't find
notes:
k-12 but also just fake, all satellite history through 5/21 shows they're not here
Black Tower Bike Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.563805,-58.557197
real location: https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=49.438318,-123.60466&z=17&pll=49.438318,-123.60466
Duck Pond Fountain
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.560697,-58.561003
real location:
notes:
aerator fountain so no safe pedestrian access but probably also not there
43 KM Trail Marker
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.562003,-58.569064
real location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.397357,-123.695625&z=16
Sengas Saunter Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.563075,-58.572596
real location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.516549,-123.93111&z=16
Yoda Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.563318,-58.573015
real location: no exact match but two very similar https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.490392,-123.8833 https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.488683,-123.885326
Shugis Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.546743,-58.606097
real location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.483614,-123.887147&z=16
In Out Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.568241,-58.531101
real location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.485264,-123.893795
notes:
i'm quite sure this one is also fake but can't find the real one In and out Trail https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.546021,-58.608172
Out In Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.568802,-58.549217
real location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.486176,-123.893776
In and out Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.546021,-58.608172
real location:
notes:
Very suspicious how this one is so far away from the two above, can't find original
Falls Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.546507,-58.610762
real location: no exact match but exact style of this one in BC https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.522082,-123.930027&z=16
Midway Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.546238,-58.623413
real location: https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=49.485252,-123.891017&z=17&pll=49.485252,-123.891017
Squigley Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.543652,-58.624286
real location: https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=49.486231,-123.885382&z=17&pll=49.486231,-123.885382
Amelia Point Shoreline Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.543907,-58.629234
real location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=46.147813,-60.2198
Shoreline Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.543747,-58.626927
real location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=46.148105,-60.218191
Lena Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.549039,-58.625382
real location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.482988,-123.89307&z=16
Mountain Utility Box
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.552027,-58.63307
real location: tons of these in Alberta, can't find any others in other provinces
Ankle Biter Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.549173,-58.646441
real location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.428174,-123.513674&z=16
Brooks Rd Falls Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.552954,-58.652039
real location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.517295,-123.932027&z=16
Cedar Loop Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.552185,-58.655174
real location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.390701,-123.769882&z=16
The Village Walk
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.552174,-58.663304
real location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.329048,-123.124682&z=16
South Ridge Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.559089,-58.663694
real location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.491808,-123.344793&z=16
Mastodon Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.55408,-58.67338
real location: found this one with identical style in a place called Carroll's Corner but no exact match ".5 km trail marker on the mastodon trail" https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=45.014304,-63.391251
Spruce Loop
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.558247,-58.683507
real location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.101272,-122.833305&z=16
Puzzle Maze Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.552791,-58.701868
real location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.852527,-112.932627
Bird Watch Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.559618,-58.700644
real location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.454584,-123.39978&z=16
Utility Box Art
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.556541,-58.71086
real location: https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=49.326877,-123.130399&z=17&pll=49.326877,-123.130399
Regional Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.556348,-58.712018
real location: https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=48.533522,-123.464873&z=17&pll=48.533522,-123.464873
Beaver Bridge
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.56221,-58.711242
real location: probably this one but hard to confirm https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=45.43893,-122.679419
2KM Trail Marker
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.554848,-58.628664
real location: same photo as Ned’s Pond Trail Marker 2.0 KM https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.563626,-58.574911
Roller Coaster Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.559817,-58.592713
real location: no exact match but style matches others near this one with same name https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=49.48427,-123.877562&z=17&pll=49.48427,-123.877562
South Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.559338,-58.602598
real location: no exact match but same style and name as markers around here https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.12502,-123.170015&z=16
Ally Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.555908,-58.586913
real location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.43953,-123.610687&z=16
Howler Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.554259,-58.584242
real location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.510071,-123.886996&z=16
Panda Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.556624,-58.583036
real location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.491267,-123.881372&z=16
Serpentine Fields
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.554422,-58.6021
real location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.18511,-122.757002&z=16
Connor Connector Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=48.555642,-58.592052&z=17&pll=48.555642,-58.592052
real location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.485258,-123.888662&z=16
Charlies Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=48.565171,-58.570798&z=17&pll=48.565171,-58.570798
real location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.431763,-123.469325&z=16
Fireball Friday Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.564693,-58.589517
real location: likely stolen from FFTW: Fireball Friday https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=53.878448,-122.834991
Green Community Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.54361,-58.576357
real location: stolen from Heritage Green Community Trust Trail Marker https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=43.185618,-79.811348 but no exact match
Smith Trail Footbridge
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.543725,-58.589296
real location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.345352,-123.098901&z=16
Community Trail 1.2KM
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.555477,-58.622513
real location: definitely stolen from the same park as https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.18511,-122.757002&z=16
Amelia Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.542623,-58.534966
real location: stolen from Amelia Point & Estate Road Trail Marker https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=46.15024,-60.221291
Crawley Creek Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.540926,-58.532191
real location: stolen from Crawley Creek & McLennan Estate Trail Marker https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=46.145551,-60.219973
McLennan Estate Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.532847,-58.516754
real location: stolen from McLennan Estate & Amelia Point Trail Marker https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=46.146378,-60.219178
Old Estate Road
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.534962,-58.504764
real location: stolen from Old Estate Road Trail Marker https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=46.146058,-60.216993
Creek Loop
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.553047,-58.52589
real location: no exact match but probably from creek loop trail marker https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.278247,-124.800261
Welcome to little tibet
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.552048,-58.528617
real location: stolen from Welcome to Little Tibet https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=43.648689,-79.439299
Pond Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.558596,-58.546009
real location: stolen from Shoreline Trail 2.0 Km Marker https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.285561,-122.836161
Shock Treatment Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.556338,-58.552285
real location: stolen from Short Cut Trail https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.531116,-123.459668
Huge Ribbon Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.550631,-58.591156
real location: stolen from https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.523053,-123.470138&z=16
Owl Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.565118,-58.589813
real location: stolen from https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.488032,-123.887598&z=16
Old Woods Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.563724,-58.528327
real location: stolen from https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.469478,-123.695954&z=16
16 KM Trail Marker
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.560983,-58.538792
real location: stolen from Rum Runners Trail - 16 km Marker https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=44.669626,-63.783473
Trail Bed 11 KM
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.560156,-58.542431
real location: stolen from Rum Runners Trail - 11 km Marker https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=44.655069,-63.72997 (also lol it's like 500m from the 16km marker)
Trail bed
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.560367,-58.545098
real location: stolen from Rum Runners Trail - 9 km Marker https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=44.64639,-63.708597
Pick It Up Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.550134,-58.601106
real location: same name as Pick It Up Trail Junction https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.486355,-123.890555 and style is identical to many around this one
Spirit Trail Loop
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.546837,-58.598511
real location: stolen from https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.286544,-121.772493&z=16
TIC Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.564547,-58.563423
real location: stolen from https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.484585,-123.899672&z=16
Tree Utility Pole Art
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.51598,-58.422948
real location: stolen from https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.430435,-123.339794&z=16
Little Dipper Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.51,-58.42789
real location: stolen from https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.811754,-124.515597&z=16
Nature Trail Exit
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.517118,-58.42153
real location: not exact but it's the same Mitchell Swamp Nature Trail Exit https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=34.712615,-77.247849
PJ Trail
fake location: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.511616,-58.446174
real location: stolen from https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.483757,-123.879282&z=16
@NianticGiffard please have the team do a full investigation here.
Comments
It should be noted that photos used here were found on existing wayspots in at least 6 other areas. Many are from around Vancouver BC but some are from other cities in Canada and the US. Some photos also appear to be very similar but not exactly like any existing wayspots which suggests whoever is behind this is using photos they come across while reviewing such as wayspots still in review, rejected, or "lightship only" or even using supporting photos. Some may well be from other sources entirely.
Thanks for flagging it, @tehstone-ING. We'll make sure to have your report investigated thoroughly and to take appropriate actions.
Thanks @NianticGiffard
I've found a couple more for sure fakes that i'll share in comments here
https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.550296,-58.574036
If you zoom in closely to the full resolution version of this image you'll see some mirrored text which reads "Tarrant Laundry" along with a giant logo featuring Texas. So I bet you can guess where this one is.
2. Basketball Court
https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.547901,-58.571028
Again zooming in on this image we see a sign entirely in Spanish featuring a sign for this store: https://www.superecono.com/tiendas/
Definitely not in Canada. (the mountains in the background are a dead giveaway too).
3. Redwood Art Display
Fake: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.54733,-58.581519
Real: Welcome To Hurst Mural
https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=32.826874,-97.203921
Another one
Fake: Antique Water Wheel
https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.558603,-58.581458
Real: Hidden Water Wheel
https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.433086,-123.474449
Fake: Black Jack Oak Trail
https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.554945,-58.564489
Real: Black Jack Oak
https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=32.926822,-97.224239
Fake: Trail Marker
https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.558567,-58.567562
Real: 8 B C Trail Marker
https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=32.924937,-97.244695
Fake: 45 KM Regional Trail
https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.561793,-58.560651
Real: 45km
https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.411724,-123.706156
Fake: Jenness Hill Parking
https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.556371,-58.584537
Found photo on this website: https://greatermeredith.org/meredith-trails for a town called Meredith New Hampshire
Right next to that one are these two, both of which from the context of the photos I can tell aren't here but can't prove
Cornwall Swings
https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.556547,-58.582668
Community Public Playground
https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.55699,-58.584819
This one is hilarious, look at the mountains in this photo:
and then look at the streetview:
I guess a lot can change in 9 years.
Playground
https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.557772,-58.6026
Here's another fake (Kippens Pond Trail Footbridge): https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.551947,-58.649013
Original (Trail Bridge, Rogers Pond, in Ontario): https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=45.066638,-75.821533
Slightly different picture, so either that portal has multiple photos or the fake POI got it's photo from the support or a previous submission.... but definitely the same bridge.
And another:
Fake: https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=48.552518,-58.588872&z=17&pll=48.552518,-58.588872
Original: https://intel.ingress.com/intel?ll=49.405434,-123.558147&z=17&pll=49.405434,-123.558147
Same picture, just seems to have been cropped for Stephenville's fake :
The real one:
The flora looks nothing like what one would find in NFLD. Looks very BC, and wow, what do you know, it was found in BC!
Honestly, pretty much the whole town of Stephenville needs to be wiped clean in Lightship at this rate.
Another
Fake: Nova Trail
https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.004749,-57.598643
Real: https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.481998,-123.891764&z=16
Fake: Nova Trail **** Bars
https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.00506,-57.598712
https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/ogT_Q0Ykd5O_wsWPGWqGOKQmT56SHhi1unz9_z4SDstu77kiNpyWEHTMKmByVOSjyCnKRj-7ZkrxPczgeSYQOAMAD5xo_bSk3fpAPptK=s0
Definitely not here in an open grass field (which is also someone's back yard)
Little Free Library
https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.005245,-57.59775
Background of this image shows a **** parking space with another street running perpendicular. This in no way matches what is on the street this wayspot is placed on.
fake: Boat Mural
https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.552522,-58.54708
real: Riverboat Mural
https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=54.721066,-113.281341
Forest Utility Box
https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.005558,-57.598189
Allegedly in someone's front yard but the photo shows a tall rock retaining wall behind it. definitely not here.
fake:
Flower Utility Box
https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.008178,-57.582093
real:
Nordel Connector Box
https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.152994,-122.957383
The photos don't match but the background of the fake image gives it away
In fact it's probably the other utility box visible on SV that is not a wayspot.
the one right next to it is fake as well, showing a large warehouse in the background but the location is in the backyard of a house surrounded by other houses
Little Free Library
https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.008378,-57.581874
Nature Utility Box
https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.014662,-57.606184
This one is clearly in a much more urban environment and the sticker says 1-800-power-on which is a phone number operated by BC Hydro which is in... BC.
fake: Witchs Brew Trail
https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.01407,-57.607301
real: Witch's Brew South
https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.471773,-123.648998
fake: Geodetic Survey Marker
https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=49.013645,-57.626157
can't find exact match but it says Ottawa on it just like one actually found in Ottawa
https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=45.826603,-77.118106&z=16
Hi @tehstone-Ambo! We have reviewed the report and taken action on the 76 Wayspots and 2 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.
fyi: 2 photos on the Rogers Pond portal, someone beat my nomination by few hours or a day)), my photo was added as a duplicate. So definitely the photo was stolen during review.
@NianticGiffard thank you very much
However, the search continues. The latest fake I identified used a photo stolen from a wayspot in France.
fake:
Cross https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.565614,-58.589454
real:
Croix de Zau Zourâ https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=46.177089,7.612449
and another
fake: Colemans Hourse Mural
https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.550468,-58.578245
real: Rowdy Art Mural
https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=32.380203,-97.393705
another stolen from france, i cannot find the exact source but it's pretty obvious as you will see
fake: Riverbed Trail
https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.566306,-58.583411
the style is identical to this one:
Panneau de randonnée / Les Creuses
https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=45.603063,6.456047
which is located here:
and the script on the fake reads Arbine La Bathie
fake: Burnvenue dans mon marais
https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=48.564454,-58.589015
real:
Bienvenue dans mon marais
https://intel.ingress.com/?pll=45.651237,5.864152
Thanks for sharing more reports! We've further taken action on 4 Wayspots after our review.