multiple accounts with same name plus number: am I reading too much into it?

[Diamanda Gustafson]

During the past few days I keep seeing avatars rezzed 4 days ago or so named "bonniebelle" with a 2 digit number next to it tp'ing in and out. I've seen them pop in and out of a number of regions. They always tp in rather high in the sky and they disappear the moment I try to approach them.

A pattern of concern, or plain old paranoia?

helpy image: https://gyazo.com/dd7f22372a612ac6775878ff400e894e

 

[Rowan Amore]

2 minutes ago, Diamanda Gustafson said:

During the past few days I keep seeing avatars rezzed 4 days ago or so named "bonniebelle" with a 2 digit number next to it tp'ing in and out. I've seen them pop in and out of a number of regions. They always tp in rather high in the sky and they disappear the moment I try to approach them.

A pattern of concern, or plain old paranoia?

helpy image: https://gyazo.com/dd7f22372a612ac6775878ff400e894e

 

Grid survey bots, perhaps?

[Nalates Urriah]

There isn't much they can do to anyone. So they can be ignored.

[Maitimo]

Typically bots of some sort. all owned by the same unimaginitive owner. What the bots are doing is anyone's guess, but not likely to be anything of concern (unless the name before the numbers is "Kevin").

[Love Zhaoying]

If the names start to look like "THX1138", I'd worry a little. Because the world of THX-1138 is pretty scary.

[Paul Hexem]

Like the others said, it's almost certainly survey or data bots of some kind.

Totally harmless. 

[diamond Marchant]

I like that they move around and disappear when approached. It's the ones that stay in the same place day after day that are up to no good unless they are a CSR or a group inviter

Edited July 6, 2022 by diamond Marchant

[Lindal Kidd]

No need to be concerned...unless they start marching on your property in a mob, muttering "Braaaaaaiiiiinssssss...."

[Love Zhaoying]

1 hour ago, Paul Hexem said:

Like the others said, it's almost certainly survey or data bots of some kind.

Totally harmless. 

I like the Douglas Adams version, "Mostly Harmless".

[Rowan Amore]

1 hour ago, diamond Marchant said:

up to no good

Like what?

[Aiyumei]

My sister and I banned 26 of those accounts yesterday from our home, we figured it could be someone very persistent trying to spy on us.

I had no idea others encountered them too.

[diamond Marchant]

1 hour ago, Rowan Amore said:

3 hours ago, diamond Marchant said:

up to no good

Like what?

I could say but if I did....you know... (makes slashing gesture across throat)

[Robin Nightingale]

One of them visits where I live, on a daily basis. The security system ejects them, but it is quite startling to suddenly see someone appear!

[Maitimo]

5 hours ago, diamond Marchant said:

 It's the ones that stay in the same place day after day that are up to no good 

If they're staying in the same place, in groups of 8, they are Tiny Empires players.

If they're staying in the same place alone, but in an infohub, they're probably sending spam to newbies. 

If they're staying in the same place in a store or club, they are probably sending spam to customers (or to anyone who happened to wander in).

[Robin Nightingale]

2 hours ago, Aiyumei said:

My sister and I banned 26 of those accounts yesterday from our home, we figured it could be someone very persistent trying to spy on us.

I had no idea others encountered them too.

That sounds excessive and intrusive. I can't think it would be approved of by LL. Not sure how they can be stopped, though.

[Pixie Kobichenko]

1 hour ago, Maitimo said:

If they're staying in the same place, in groups of 8, they are Tiny Empires players.

If they're staying in the same place alone, but in an infohub, they're probably sending spam to newbies. 

If they're staying in the same place in a store or club, they are probably sending spam to customers (or to anyone who happened to wander in).

I’m just curious why you say groups of 8?  I played TE for a decade & never encountered a reason for groups of 8.  I’ve known some people with more alts for the game than letters in the alphabet.  They were good friends to have to clear lucky letter chairs 😄

[Love Zhaoying]

The survey bots should be harmless, unlike whatever possibly nefarious purpose other bots are created for. (Such as region-killing parcels stuffed with a hoard of breedables because "breedables are fun".)

[Jaylinbridges]

11 minutes ago, Love Zhaoying said:

(Such as region-killing parcels stuffed with a hoard of breedables because "breedables are fun".)

Here is my region "stuffed with breedables".  Do you know what the numbers mean?

[Love Zhaoying]

1 minute ago, Jaylinbridges said:

Here is my region "stuffed with breedables".  Do you know what the numbers mean?

I'm bad at maths, sorry. 

[Maitimo]

1 hour ago, Pixie Kobichenko said:

I’m just curious why you say groups of 8?  I played TE for a decade & never encountered a reason for groups of 8.  I’ve known some people with more alts for the game than letters in the alphabet.  They were good friends to have to clear lucky letter chairs 😄

I've never played TE so don't know why 8 is the "magic" number but I often see clusters of 8s, arranged in a circle, usually on the bottom of the sea somewhere. I wonder if it's a matter of diminishing returns, beyond 8 is possible but not really worth the effort?

[MrsSeren]

The max subjects you can have in TE is 10 as I play but I don't have alts of Seren in my downline, they all actual people I talk to and close friends with.

[Pixie Kobichenko]

3 hours ago, Maitimo said:

I've never played TE so don't know why 8 is the "magic" number but I often see clusters of 8s, arranged in a circle, usually on the bottom of the sea somewhere. I wonder if it's a matter of diminishing returns, beyond 8 is possible but not really worth the effort?

People gather to pass acres in the land building game.  It’s been a few years, so I can’t remember exactly how many degrees of separation you can pass & receive them w/ other players.  But I’m not sure how 8 is a factor, there’s 11 levels of ranking.  But I learn something new everyday, so maybe someone w more insight will see our side conversation & chime in.  Thanks for responding 😃

[PheebyKatz]

Every avatar named BonnieBelle-anything has been banned from my home sim already. It's nice of them to use the same name, makes it easier to zap them all at once.

[ConnieG Sorbet]

I am so dam tired of BonnieBelle accounts now.. popping into even the smallest of parcels where I go... what do we all have in common that it is just us encountering them. Other people do not get them seemingly following them everywhere..

 

[Charalyne Blackwood]

On 7/5/2022 at 9:02 PM, Love Zhaoying said:

If the names start to look like "THX1138", I'd worry a little. Because the world of THX-1138 is pretty scary.

Blessings of the state, blessings of the masses. Let us be thankful we have commerce. Let us be thankful we have an occupation to fill. Work hard, increase production, prevent accidents, buy more. Buy more now. Buy. And be happy.