Wikipedia:Conflict of interest/Noticeboard#CV used as reference and external link

• {{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)

• {{pagelinks|NordVPN}}
• {{userlinks|SpaghetticodeV}}
• {{userlinks|Putongpengyou}}
• {{userlinks|BettinoD}}
• {{userlinks|KnownStormChaser}}

The NordVPN article has recently received a string of promotional edits that I suspect may be undisclosed paid editing:

• 4 April: SpaghetticodeV cited [https://insider-gaming.com/vpn-gaming/nord/browser-extensions/ a highly promotional post] with affiliate links to NordVPN and a call to action on the blog "Insider Gaming"
• 9 April: Putongpengyou cited [https://www.comparitech.com/blog/vpn-privacy/nordvpn-threat-protection/ a highly promotional review] with affiliate links to NordVPN and a call to action on the product comparison site "Comparitech". The content included the ad-like text {{xt|"boosting its claim to be the most advanced VPN app on the market"}} and text with the trademark symbol, i.e. {{xt|"Threat Protection Pro™"}}.
• 28 April: BettinoD added a list of "awards" from sites containing affiliate links to NordVPN and cited NordVPN marketing pages such as {{xt|"Get our Emergency VPN Assistance for FREE"}}.
• 29 April: KnownStormChaser obscured NordVPN's Lithuanian origins to claim that NordVPN is Panamanian, citing [https://support.nordvpn.com/hc/en-us/articles/19441152966161-Where-is-NordVPN-based a NordVPN support page] that presents the Panama jurisdiction as a security benefit.

This editing pattern from newly registered accounts gives me the impression that the promotional article changes are coordinated. I've tagged the article as {{tl|Promotional}} and {{tl|Undisclosed paid}} while this article is being cleaned up. — Newslinger talk 09:54, 29 April 2025 (UTC)

: {{Ping|Newslinger}} At the top of this page is the requirement:

: {{Blockquote|This page should only be used when ordinary talk page discussion has been attempted and failed to resolve the issue, such as when an editor has repeatedly added problematic material over an extended period.}}

: Did you do that? A cursory look at each of the relevant user talk pages shows no such discussion. Did it occur elsewhere? Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 13:41, 29 April 2025 (UTC)

::Sorry, I should have opened the sockpuppet investigation before this discussion; I have since opened one and the investigation is now at Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/SpaghetticodeV. All of the above editors were notified and warned against conflict-of-interest editing when this noticeboard discussion was created, and the only acknowledgement came from KnownStormChaser, who blanked their user talk page in Special:Diff/1288149632 as their second edit on Wikipedia. — Newslinger talk 10:18, 7 May 2025 (UTC)

• {{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)

• {{pagelinks|Jarlath Regan}}
• {{userlinks|JBRProductions}}

I noticed that the infobox image in this article was contributed by this user. The username made me suspicious that this might be Regan or his production team, had a look at the contrib history and noticed that they contributed significantly to the article ([https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Jarlath_Regan&diff=prev&oldid=1214419567 diff]) back in March 2024. Am I crazy here? Ahuman00 (talk) 23:48, 4 May 2025 (UTC)

:Not crazy. I trimmed some of the most promotional elements. BubbaJoe123456 (talk) 14:26, 5 May 2025 (UTC)

• {{userlinks|Webmastertsd}}

There's evidence that this user engages in undisclosed paid editing. His last edits were on a promotional sandbox, User:Webmastertsd/sandbox. On one older userpage version (Special:PermaLink/585085621), there's a link to a commercial webpage (https://animalhospital.com.my/meet-the-team/). This page fits well to his editing contents (promoting Malaysian veterinarians), furthermore, the webmaster/maintainer responsible for the upkeep of this pages is apparently a company using the same initials as the reported user, "TSD". I happened to encounter this individual while looking through recent files on Commons some hours ago. Regards, Grand-Duc (talk) 02:13, 5 May 2025 (UTC)

:User has not edited since 2013, and has only two extant mainspace edits, one of which corrects a typo in the other. Both were reverted a long time ago. Andy Mabbett (Pigsonthewing); Talk to Andy; Andy's edits 12:18, 5 May 2025 (UTC)

::That's not true, there were the sandbox edits from 2025-05-03 and 2025-05-04, see: Special:Log/Webmastertsd. Regards, Grand-Duc (talk) 14:09, 5 May 2025 (UTC)

• {{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)

• {{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)

• {{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)

• {{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)

• {{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)

• {{pagelinks|Boaz Levy}}
• {{pagelinks|Matan Yaffe}}
• {{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)

{{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)