So I've been confused about why the scammers and pirates seem to dig up ancient topics with their shiny new accounts, in order to make their first post. You'll see some long-dead discussion brought to the top of the forum list by "Mr 1-posts" (or some Indian equivalent) where they either make some inane "Me too" contribution or ask for sources of information (which I cynically assume is to add to their list of things to torrent - something I'm proven right about more often than otherwise).

Well it just occurred to me why it happens in this pattern. Two reasons:
1. A suspiciously low post count tends to go unnoticed by a large number of users when the question raised is not at the top of the topic.
2. By making their demands below a thread of merit, they are practically eliminating all chance of the thread (and therefore their post) being deleted.

Piracy is rampant, and I'm sure we don't need to have that debate here again. It seems free, but there has to be backdoor profitability in it somewhere for these people to persist so strongly - we've seen the same people turn up over and over again with new names and new accounts for years (I'm looking at you Tushar Agarwaal, failed curser of Bob Cassidy!).

This is not an opening of debate, accusation or speculation. This is merely a plea to our friendlier users to exercise caution when responding to requests in Penny. In light of recent events at the Café (Read your latest PM from Steve Brooks if you haven't already), I am making a firm effort to be respectful and nice to all, so this means that I will be trying to bite my tongue rather than chase off these shady charlatans in the future. But we need to all agree not to feed the trolls by offering answers. When something looks suspicious, leave it alone.

Yes, sometimes legitimate newbies wander in looking for legitimate information for legitimate reasons. Here is how I tend to tell the difference:

- A member with less than 10 posts asking for SPECIFIC information is an immediate red flag. Asking "What are the best books on getting started in Mentalism?" or "How did Derren do...?" are good general questions that make sense coming from a new user. Not all people with low post counts are unschooled in Mentalism, but you would expect the majority of people with working knowledge of the art to have posted a bit on here before asking questions.
- Legitimate newbies (LNs) will tend to introduce themselves first. Their first post will be "Hi I'm new". If they are educated enough to read the café guidelines before they start, their introduction post will be made on the relevant board, rather than in Penny, so you will need to check their recent posts.
- Look at the profile of any suspicious poster. This will tell you interesting things, including how long they have been here. Most useful is the link at the top to "See user's posts in the last 30 days". This can quickly show you whether they've posted introductions, and in which forums they have been active.
- An empty profile with zero information entered is a big red flag. One relative newcomer to Penny (whom I won't name) was proved legitimate in my mind because his profile contained a link to his webpage, on which I could see his real name and day job.
- Most of the vocal users here are known to each other. So if you start reading through a thread and you don't recognise the names of the people posting in it, check the dates above each post. If it's older than a few months, work out which post bumped the thread and think VERY seriously about whether this is a discussion you need to contribute to. Dead threads brought back to life can cause difficulties (like people recently trying to enter a competition run by Lord of the Horses, who has not been active on this board for 2 years...)

If the flags are up, let it all go and don't respond. I will try to do the same.

Certainly makes sense.

I thought you were a genius before this C. J.

Steve

Makes sense, though when I was new to the Café, because of all the information Id read back pages and packages and sometime post, and it was just because I wanted to be apart of the chat and had an interest in the topic..just because I read back and the post were old, but I never and still don't look at when it was posted to be honest lol

But, your right about checking out the page and etc. Great thinking

I may have a low post count but have never asked for any specific information. I have asked for advice via PM but on techniques I am already practising.

I don't think I ever properly introduced myself... but in my defence I was a bit. shy...

I remember Bob Cassidy greeting me after my 1st post though! What a nice gent!

M.I.

Bob Cassidy is the man. His books/DVDs are pure gold.

My very first Café post I was immediately attacked and got hate PM's accusing me of being the creator of the trick. Clearly, they never saw me perform.

Back on topic.

What's the best way to make people think you have real mental powers and give you money? With course fees going up, it's not easy to get more than 2 rounds in per week.

Ha! I think I upset someone. Look at this email I got today:



Sooo... someone called "Tushar A" sent me an unsolicited file that appears to be a pirated work, but which is probably a virus. Surely... SURELY if you wanted to hurt me you could be more subtle. And send me the virus wrapped in a package I might be at least TEMPTED to open. I'm a vocal enemy of filesharing, so why would I download this unless Mr Biss himself had sent it to me (which for reasons I won't go into, he is unlikely to do)?

Oh and incidentally, thanks Tushar for revealing yourself as the owner of (or at least someone with access to) http://www.magiccafe.com

Nevertheless, thanks for the game, dude. We must play again sometime soon.

I got one today for Viagra. How did they know? Don't tell me Psychics are charlatans. They KNOW stuff!

around 170kb
typical size of a trojan...
what a lame attempt...

Wow I believe I forgot to introduce myself way back when I join here as well. I remember back when I joined the penguin forms and made the mistake of making my first post a review of something, that did not end well haha

You know what they say about people who think they're geniuses right?

Joining and finding out how a community like this works is not an instant thing,

the kind of people who download DEMAND instant gratification, similarly with forums, ANSWER ME NOW!

I need to purchase everything I want to when I'm on here, the creators are mostly active and ready to help, if I'm going to ask advice on a product I feel I should at least have purchased it legitimately

Soon as I introduced myself with the username FIRESTARTER ,it was OH NO he is trouble,lol.

It warms my heart to read "I got flamed" posts here from users with big numbers under their avatars - congrats on not being scared off! Incidentally, having some sort of avatar (even if it's not a photo) helps to reassure people that you are here for the long-haul and not just a hit-and-run.

That does make sense ,must get an avatar up did have one ,but it got taken off so it has to be of oneself,mmm,lol.

You sound disappointed Steve?

C.J. another thing you may not have noticed, is, many of these "attacks" of new user accounts take place during school vacations (like this week). Coincidental? Maybe, but amusing and seemingly fitting.

Tony