Wikipedia:Conflict of interest/Noticeboard#Behavioural evidence

{{redirect|WP:COIN|the WikiProject on articles about coins|Wikipedia:WikiProject Numismatics}}

Category:Wikipedia noticeboards

{{PAGENAME}}

Category:Wikipedia dispute resolution

Category:Wikipedia conflict of interest editing

{{Wikipedia:Conflict of interest/Noticeboard/Header}}

{{User:MiszaBot/config

|archiveheader = {{archivemainpage|Wikipedia:Conflict of interest/Noticeboard}}

|maxarchivesize = 100K

|counter = 221

|minthreadsleft = 4

|minthreadstoarchive = 1

|algo = old(14d)

|archive = Wikipedia:Conflict of interest/Noticeboard/Archive %(counter)d

}}__NEWSECTIONLINK__

J-P Conte

  • {{pagelinks|J-P Conte}}
  • {{userlinks|MadelaineHS}}
  • {{userlinks|MadelaineHanson}}
  • {{userlinks|Thelmoine}}

Looks like a textbook COI situation but it would be good to get other eyes on this. Amigao (talk) 22:32, 28 April 2025 (UTC)

:If you Google the names, you can see a clear trail. Trying to do some cleanup but would be better to strip it to a stub and rebuild in my opinion. --CNMall41 (talk) 23:34, 28 April 2025 (UTC)

::Was just trying to clear up some sources, apologies. Definitely went into full resume territory. Please don't delete it, I'll stand back and won't make any edits. Didn't realize I was being so impartial, seems obvious now. Thanks! Thelmoine (talk) 01:41, 29 April 2025 (UTC)

:* {{userlinks|Socialio86}}

:Anyone looking into this might be interested to see this user, who coincidentally uses the same words on Talk:J-P Conte as the other account in the edit summary of {{diff|oldid=1287885136|label=this diff}} despite claiming to be another user. They have entered the AfD discussion regarding the mentioned article. MediaKyle (talk) 02:10, 29 April 2025 (UTC)

::I do not want to be involved in WP:OUTING so I will not post the link, but this is 100% WP:UPE. Some of the references are also going to be paid for. --CNMall41 (talk) 02:38, 29 April 2025 (UTC)

:::Yes, I just saw that. This is really bad. This should be brought to someone's attention. MediaKyle (talk) 02:39, 29 April 2025 (UTC)t

::::: I used checkuser and {{np|Socialio86}}, {{np|MadelaineHS}}, and {{np|Thelmoine}} are {{confirmed}} to each other. {{np|MadelaineHanson}} is {{IPstale}} but also a WP:DUCK. All of them blocked. PhilKnight (talk) 03:41, 29 April 2025 (UTC)

::::If anything, the company name and editor name found in Google search should be added to Wikipedia:List of paid editing companies. --CNMall41 (talk) 16:10, 29 April 2025 (UTC)

:An update on this situation: Following some investigation based on the above, I have identified the following articles which have a high likelihood of being linked to this UPE effort:

{{collapsed|

:* {{pagelinks|Tim Kane}} (cut this one back myself already)

:* {{pagelinks|Balance (2013 book)}}

:* {{pagelinks|WilkinsonEyre}}

:* {{pagelinks|Berwin Leighton Paisner}}

:* {{pagelinks|APCOA Parking}}

:* {{pagelinks|Young Enterprise}}

:* {{pagelinks|Vubiquity}}

:* {{pagelinks|John Mills Limited}}

:* {{pagelinks|JML Direct TV}}

:* {{pagelinks|Bluefin Labs}}

:* {{pagelinks|2 Sisters Food Group}}

:* {{pagelinks|Novo Nordisk}}

:* {{pagelinks|GreenPalm}}

:* {{pagelinks|Boston Consulting Group}}

:* {{pagelinks|Chrysalis Records}}

:* {{pagelinks|Compassion in World Farming}}

:* {{pagelinks|The Deal (magazine)}}

:* {{pagelinks|Association of Chartered Certified Accountants}}

:* {{pagelinks|Maritime UK}}

|List of articles}}

:I've omitted some articles which have already been fixed since I tagged them. These remaining articles will require greater scrutiny, and a few of them can likely be sent to AfD. MediaKyle (talk) 22:34, 30 April 2025 (UTC)

::@MediaKyle, @CNMall41 and others involved in this discussion; if you haven't already, could you please send evidence about paid edits beyond the Conte ones to the COIVRT queue? It'd make it easier for functionaries to help out here. Moneytrees🏝️(Talk) 16:44, 14 May 2025 (UTC)

:::The only thing I have is what can be found in Google when you google the subject name (J P Conte) along with the editor name (Madelaine Hanson). You will see the top two search results which is more incriminating than a red dye pack in a money bag. --CNMall41 (talk) 16:52, 14 May 2025 (UTC)

Ahmed Mater

  • {{pagelinks|Ahmed Mater}}
  • {{userlinks|Arif11}}
  • {{userlinks|Profarthist}}
  • {{userlinks|AhmedMater}}

Would be helpful to additional eyes on this WP:SPA situation. Amigao (talk) 22:35, 4 May 2025 (UTC)

:Article is at AfD and user says they have no COI. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 20:39, 6 May 2025 (UTC)

:@Amigao, I think you have a point. I also noticed something unusual between the two accounts, {{u|Arif11}} and {{u|AhmedMater}}. Netherzone (talk) 17:58, 8 May 2025 (UTC)

::AhemedMater has created a draft, Draft:Arif Alnomay, which is the same name as Arif11's [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Arif11&oldid=1284828053 original user page]: And now a brand new editor, {{u|Profarthist}}, is adding back unsourced or poorly sourced content that was removed from Ahmed Mater during article clean up. Very interesting coincidences. Netherzone (talk) 20:09, 8 May 2025 (UTC)

::User {{u|AhmedMater}} had previously disclosed that they had a conflict of interest on Draft:Arif Alnomay, then removed both the AfC template and their statement that {{tq|I disclose that I have a conflict of interest regarding the subject of this article.}} [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Draft%3AArif_Alnomay&diff=1288557271&oldid=1288477833] Whether or not this is UPE, it is clear that there are COI's between the accounts and the articles they edit in coordination with one another. Netherzone (talk) 23:58, 8 May 2025 (UTC)

:::@Arif11, may I ask if you have edited with any other user names, such as {{u|AhmedMater}} or {{u|Profarthist}}? Netherzone (talk) 13:42, 11 May 2025 (UTC)

::::Dear editors,

::::I am Arif11, and I would like to offer a final and clear clarification:

::::I have never used the “AhmedMater” account to make any edits. That account was used only for reading, following discussions, or training to understand how Wikipedia works. All of my contributions were made solely through my personal account (Arif11) and with completely sincere intent.

::::I also affirm that I have absolutely no connection to the account Profarthist, and I have not coordinated with any other users.

::::Unfortunately, the responses I received — including replies to earlier messages written in good faith — were filled with suspicion and accusations, and lacked a spirit of collaboration or respect. This kind of treatment discourages serious contributors and undermines the core purpose of Wikipedia as a free and cooperative encyclopedia.

::::My contributions were aimed at improving content related to respected cultural figures. One of the removed sources — published by The London Publisher Edward Booth-Clibborn — is a reliable, high-quality art monograph, and it was unjustly dismissed without proper review.

::::Therefore, I no longer wish to continue. I respectfully request that the current article and all related drafts be deleted. I will advise the artist’s studio to contact Wikipedia directly through official and neutral channels to ensure appropriate documentation in the future.

::::— Arif11 Arif11 (talk) 16:12, 12 May 2025 (UTC)

:::::Except, as noted above, and as anyone here can see, User:AhmedMater created Draft:Arif Alnomay. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 19:54, 13 May 2025 (UTC)

::::::Arif11 has continued to edit the Ahmed Mater article despite strong evidence that they have been a close associate of Ahmed Mater, (or are Ahmed Mater). They first claimed they were not a close associate, and were just "doing research" on him. However there is very strong off-wiki evidence (in addition to the on-wiki evidence) that they have been closely connected with one another for years. Now Arif11 has re-uploaded a photograph of Mater (that was previously deleted as copyvio), claiming that they took the photo back in 2004. In 2011 they created the article on him, and continued to add unambiguous promotional content (see the article page history and the AfD). As to the off-wiki evidence, there is evidence that Arif Al-Nomay (Alnomay) has worked for Ahmed Mater, been in exhibitions with them, and has been associated with him for years. They recently claimed that Commons has accepted the copyright claim for the image, yet there is no evidence of a ticket being submitted or approved. I am not exactly sure what is going on, whether this is a "simple" COI or if UPE, meat or sock is applicable. I've tried explaining these problems to the editor several times in multiple venues including their talk page and other talk pages, however things are just not adding up. I can provide diffs upon an administrator's request. Netherzone (talk) 21:13, 13 May 2025 (UTC)

International School of France

  • {{pagelinks|International School of France}}
  • {{userlinks|Danenriquezor}}

This editor has added promotional text, {{tq|focusing on innovative and engaging learning experiences}}, to this school article. Sourcing is poor - the school website and https://star.fandom.com. I have asked them if they work for or represent the school, and they have replied {{tq|i will not disclose if i work with them or not}}. Not come across this response before, so bringing it here. Thanks. Tacyarg (talk) 08:08, 5 May 2025 (UTC)

Tacyarg (talk) 08:08, 5 May 2025 (UTC)

:hello, i am still not seeing where on the page i put « focusing on innovative and engaging learning experiences » if you can help me indicate where on the page this is i will be glad to remove it. Danenriquezor (talk) 08:34, 5 May 2025 (UTC)

::You can see it in [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=International_School_of_France&diff=1288901363&oldid=1288893136 this diff]. Tacyarg (talk) 09:45, 5 May 2025 (UTC)

:::i will re-update this page, i will rephrase some sentences since my goal is not to promote in any way this school, rather to give the satistics, it's history, a layout of the school and how it interagtes into the town like a university wich gives it it's uniqueness, again sorry for the mis-understanding i am only trying to preserve the towns history since there isn't as much accsseible information on the internet about it. Danenriquezor (talk) 10:43, 5 May 2025 (UTC)

::::{{Ping|Danenriquezor}} If you refuse to disclose whether or not you have a COI, editors will reasonably assume that you do have. Therefore, please comply with WP:COI and refrain from editing the article except in the very limited circumstances described there. You may request more substantive changes on the article's talk page. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 12:11, 5 May 2025 (UTC)

:::::Student, perhaps?   –Skywatcher68 (talk) 18:28, 7 May 2025 (UTC)

User has now replied on their talk page:

{{Blockquote|No i do not work for the school, nor i am a student, i am simply a citizen of Maisons-Laffitte and i am just here ti provide more information on the city Danenriquezor (talk) 13:09, 14 May 2025 (UTC)}}

-- Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 10:18, 17 May 2025 (UTC)

Mohammad A. Arafat and Suchinta Foundation

  • {{pagelinks|Mohammad A. Arafat}}
  • {{pagelinks|Suchinta Foundation}}
  • {{userlinks| TahiHasan}}

I think this user is connected with Mohammad A. Arafat; this user's maximum contribution is in the Mohammad Arafat article, and also this user added his photo to Commons. I think he or she should reveal COI. And Mohammad Arafat is the chairman of the Suchinta Foundation; the user uploaded a non-free logo with an own work status, so he or she is connected with both of the subjects.

Niasoh ❯❯❯ Wanna chat? 03:47, 11 May 2025 (UTC)

:This page should only be used when ordinary talk page discussion has been attempted and failed to resolve the issue. It doesn't appear that anyone has raised the issue of COI in discussion with this user. Also, they're supposed to be told when a discussion is started here. -- Pemilligan (talk) 05:14, 11 May 2025 (UTC)

::Editor has been blocked as a sock, see Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/ArafatHassanWiKi. --Drm310 🍁 (talk) 15:49, 20 May 2025 (UTC)

Scopely

  • {{al|Scopely}}
  • {{userlinks|Yoyoma129!}}

User Yoyoma129! has been exclusively editing the Scopely article for four years, and in revision [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Scopely&diff=prev&oldid=1287106312 01:27, 24 April 2025], Yoyoma129! clearly obfuscates that the company is a subsidiary of Savvy Games Group, deletes the company’s cited valuation in October 2021, and unnecessarily simplifies language relating to the company’s IP partnerships. 2600:4041:454F:6E00:89D6:334D:FF63:96DD (talk) 16:35, 12 May 2025 (UTC)

:Per the banner at the top of this page, you need to notify the user on their talk page about this discussion. DoubleCross () 16:53, 12 May 2025 (UTC)

O. P. Singh

  • {{pagelinks|O. P. Singh}}
  • {{userlinks|NoorM2}}

User has said [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=O._P._Singh&diff=prev&oldid=1288560299 The changes were made per the requirements of Mr OP Singh. He has informed me to make the changes in education and career]. User has added peacock language ("eventful tenure ... successfully led ... global recognition"). I have added a CoI template to the user's Talk page and followed it up, but not had a reply, and the user has continued to edit the article. Tacyarg (talk) 09:39, 13 May 2025 (UTC)

:Other issues notwithstanding, it should be noted that in one edit NoorM2 removed a false claim that the subject had died. Such edits are welcome, from even the most conflicted editors. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 19:42, 13 May 2025 (UTC)

Vedma Bhojju

  • {{pagelinks|Vedma Bhojju}}
  • {{userlinks|Anil2406}}

Non-neutral text added to this BLP by a editor who says {{tq|I verified all this content directly with the close sources of Person mentioned the page}}. Has been given information on the CoI policy but has continued to edit the article. Tacyarg (talk) 22:42, 14 May 2025 (UTC)

:User says on talk page:

:{{Blockquote|Thank you for reaching out. I’d like to clarify that I have no personal or professional connection with Vedma Bhojju. I do not know him personally and am not editing on his behalf. He is my local MLA, and I’ve followed his public work through local news reports, community engagement, and publicly available sources such as election affidavits and interviews. My intention is only to improve the article with neutral, verifiable, and well-sourced content in line with Wikipedia’s guidelines. Anil2406 (talk) 23:34, 14 May 2025 (UTC)}}

:-- Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 15:48, 16 May 2025 (UTC)

User:mrksh, compare to hebrew

  • {{pagelinks|Boaz Levy}}
  • {{pagelinks|Matan Yaffe}}
  • {{pagelinks|Ksenia Ovsyanick}}
  • {{pagelinks|Moshe Reuven}}
  • {{pagelinks|Ran Balicer}}
  • {{userlinks|MrEksh}}

User:MrEksh is undisclosed paid exitor in each of his edits, check his Hebrew wiki page

[https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%9E%D7%A9%D7%AA%D7%9E%D7%A9:MrEksh MrEksh]. He disclose there he wrote Boaz Levy un English for payment, but didn't disclose it in here. Many of the articles he created in English. He made full disclosure for the parallel articles he created in Hebrew, all of of his edits are paid. [https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%A9%D7%99%D7%97%D7%94:%D7%90%D7%9C%D7%99_%D7%9B%D7%94%D7%9F_(%D7%A4%D7%95%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%98%D7%99%D7%A7%D7%90%D7%99,_1972)#%D7%A2%D7%A8%D7%99%D7%9B%D7%94_%D7%91%D7%AA%D7%A9%D7%9C%D7%95%D7%9D here he confess for editing the Hebrew for payment] of [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eli_Cohen_(politician,_born_1972), which he simultaneously edited in English]. IN the Hebrew [https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%A9%D7%99%D7%97%D7%94:%D7%A0%D7%90%D7%95%D7%95%D7%99%D7%98%D7%A1_%D7%A4%D7%98%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%9C%D7%99%D7%95%D7%9D talk page, he confess for being paid], but conceal this the corresponding english [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talk:Navitas_Petroleum talk page]. HE MADE disclosure [https://he.wikipedia.org/wiki/%D7%A9%D7%99%D7%97%D7%94:%D7%9E%D7%AA%D7%9F_%D7%99%D7%A4%D7%94 in Matan Yaffe hebrew], but not in the corresponding enhlish version Talk:Matan Yaffe.

2A0D:6FC7:604:18C5:73CF:842:AC56:239B (talk) 10:27, 16 May 2025 (UTC),

:They did indeed make those disclosures on he.wiki; I would imagine that they will be willing to similarly comply with WP:PAID here? signed, Rosguill talk 15:51, 16 May 2025 (UTC)

::User:Netherzone. 2A0D:6FC7:623:D69E:21A5:8CB7:3D6:198 (talk) 09:15, 20 May 2025 (UTC)

:::Thanks for the ping. I also noticed this while doing NPP, and left a message on the editors talk page re: UPE and WP's guidelines. @MrEksh, you need to read and understand these English Wikipedia guidelines for paid editors and kindly abide by them. If you have been paid to create articles for various individuals or companies, this needs to be properly disclosed, see WP:UPE for information on how to do that. You should make these disclosures for all articles for which you have been paid or have a COI. Moving forward, it is advised that you stop editing these articles directly, and instead use the COI Edit Request System to propose changes to these articles so that other unconnected editors can evaluate the requested changes and either make them on your behalf or not. Info on paid edit requests is here: WP:EDITREQ, and a link to the Edit Request Wizard can be found here: WP:ERW which makes that task easy. Netherzone (talk) 13:04, 20 May 2025 (UTC)

Brennonhope

{{userlinks|Brennonhope}} Possible Conflict of Interest. See this [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User:Brennonhope&oldid=1290883388 edit] Pibx (talk) 18:11, 17 May 2025 (UTC)

:{{Ping|Pibx}} This is not a matter for this noticeboard; there is no ongoing problem with article content and there has not been the required prior discussion with the user concerned. Just tag the user page as spam, and/ or report to WP:AIV as a "promotion-only account". WP:Twinkle will help you do the latter. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 11:57, 18 May 2025 (UTC)

Chad Lupinacci

  • {{pagelinks|Chad Lupinacci}}
  • {{userlinks|68.195.64.95}}

IP 68.195.64.95, which geolocates to the subject's general area, has been adding unsourced promotional content.   –Skywatcher68 (talk) 20:31, 19 May 2025 (UTC)

Therpaistny25

  • {{userlinks|Therpaistny25}}

Possible Conflict of Interest. See this [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=User%20talk:Therpaistny25&oldid=1291584784 edit]. Pibx (talk) 04:44, 22 May 2025 (UTC)

: The user has been blocked indefinitely for "advertising or promotion." -- Pemilligan (talk) 19:46, 22 May 2025 (UTC)

User:Itamar Sade

  • {{pagelinks|David Assia}}
  • {{userlinks|Itamar Sade}}

He is undisclosed paid editor. Each one of his edits are paying for. The last one, David Assia, declined twice (and years ago other paid editors failed to create it), last time yesterday and amazingly it is published today. User:S0091, User:Gheus, User:Explicit, Netherzone.— Preceding unsigned comment added by 2A0D:6FC7:703:A0CB:8794:FD1D:A5C:2ED4 (talk) 09:25, 22 May 2025 (UTC)

List of philanthropists

  • {{pagelinks|List of philanthropists}}
  • {{userlinks|Vikash Thakkar}}

Editor Vikash Thakkar keeps adding Faruk G Patel to this article with awful sourcing. Thakkar is a clear WP:SPA, hasn't responded to my COI request on his talk page but found time to restore the entry on the article. Previous contributions to articles such as Wind power in India have included the classic edit summary, "As a Leading Wind Energy Company In India, We Have added our Few Wind Sites which are fully commissioned". COI seems crystal clear to me... Best Alexandermcnabb (talk) 14:37, 22 May 2025 (UTC)

Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa

  • {{pagelinks|Enhle Mbali Mlotshwa}}
  • {{userlinks|Lihlesdue}}

Lihlesdue tripped the edit filters while I was monitoring the edit filter log, so I reverted their edit due to cited content being removed without an edit summary and as a previous editor had already reverted an identical edit. This continued, with another editor reverting their edits. I then noticed [https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Enhle_Mbali_Mlotshwa&diff=prev&oldid=1291539668 this edit] on my watchlist, where the user said {{tq|"I am Enhle's PA and she has asked me to remove outdated private information which is her spouse information. And she asked me to add her children's names so its not just left as 2. She also asked me to add her mother and update her information"}}. Another editor had already added a COI notice on the user's talk page, so I reverted the edit as it was unsourced and added a warning on their talk page. Due to the user's disclosure as the article subject's PA, I then added the {{tl|Connected contributor (paid)}} tag to the article's talk page and the {{tl|Undisclosed paid}} tag to the article. I would like to AGF due to the user's contributions of the names of the article subject's family members, which just need to be sourced. However, I'm not sure about the continued attempts at removing details about the article subject's divorce. Since adding the {{tl|Undisclosed paid}} tag to the article, the user has reflected on their actions, and has requested that the tag be removed {{tq|""If the article is now in line with Wikipedia policies"}}. Another editor has helped to clean up the language of the article, but I'm concerned by the user's comment that {{tq|"[I] would like to confirm that i was not paid to do any edits"}} as this does not seem consistent with their earlier disclosure. Thanks, Referentis (talk) 17:02, 22 May 2025 (UTC)

:I would like to sincerely apologise for any confusion caused. I’m still new to editing on Wikipedia and wasn’t aware that stating I wasn’t paid could conflict with my earlier disclosure. That was not my intention at all, and I regret any misunderstanding it may have created.

:Since then, I have undone all of my previous edits and will make sure to follow all Wikipedia guidelines going forward. I appreciate the work the community does to uphold Wikipedia’s standards and I’m committed to contributing in a responsible and transparent way.

:Thank you again for your understanding. Lihlesdue (talk) 17:18, 22 May 2025 (UTC)

Sunil Dutt

  • {{pagelinks|Sunil Dutt}}
  • {{userlinks|Gooshh}}

This s.p.a. is obsessed with accumulating huge and fawning chunks of material about the subject's legacy, tributes to him on his death (from such reliable sources as his own son), etc. I applied TNT to the worst of it, but the whole thing reeks of idolatry and hagiography. They seem determined to maintain this as a memorial to the subject. Orange Mike | Talk 20:27, 22 May 2025 (UTC)

:I never thought that my contribution will be hopeless. I am not doing it again. I am not obssessed with anyone. I may not be experienced but atleast i contributed.‬ Gooshh (talk) 09:47, 23 May 2025 (UTC)

::@Orangemike i not going to contribute anything to this page. You know how to improve it. I contributed because the page of this particular person was incomplete before. Kindly remove my name from conflict interests. Gooshh (talk) 12:02, 23 May 2025 (UTC)