Pune builders resorting to fake comment postings

Because I get a lot of spam comments on my website (http://punetech.com), I have enabled moderation of comments. Which means that comments by first-timers will be held in the moderation queue until I've approved them. I get notification by email whenever a comment is waiting for approval.

I opened my mailbox today to find the following two comments in moderation on one of the posts on the http://punetech.com website. Please take a look.

Author : Patil G. (IP: 121.247.252.84 , 121.247.252.84.dynamic.pune.vsnl.net.in)
E-mail : sayaglobal@yahoo.co.in
URL :
Whois : http://ws.arin.net/cgi-bin/whois.pl?queryinput=121.247.252.84
Comment:
I recently visited a Residential Project at Sus, Pune called AAROHI by Tierth Developers, which is being designed by a big group of IT Professionals from various IT companies like Wipro, Infosys, Tech Mahindra, Persistant, Cap Gemini etc. Its a very beautifully crafted projects with many 2 & 3 BR Flats, Row Houses & Bungalows with a superb Club House & Swimming Pool with almost all he games facilities. I thought evry IT professional must know about that. !
Approve it: http://punetech.com/wp-admin/comment.php?action=mac&c=7646
Delete it: http://punetech.com/wp-admin/comment.php?action=cdc&c=7646
Spam it: http://punetech.com/wp-admin/comment.php?action=cdc&dt=spam&c=7646

-------

Author : Anand Shrivastava (IP: 121.247.252.84 , 121.247.252.84.dynamic.pune.vsnl.net.in)
E-mail : sanaish4@yahoo.com
URL :
Whois : http://ws.arin.net/cgi-bin/whois.pl?queryinput=121.247.252.84
Comment:
Well Mr. Patil, thanks for the info. Pl tell me How is the project located from Hinjewadi ? Pl mention the distances if possible. Our group is searching this kind of Project since last 6 months but we are unable to locate a good Project dedicated for IT Professsionals and one who is having Club House with all most all the sports facilities, as stated by you. Pl also state whether there is any School nearby that project? Thanks.
Approve it: http://punetech.com/wp-admin/comment.php?action=mac&c=7647
Delete it: http://punetech.com/wp-admin/comment.php?action=cdc&c=7647
Spam it: http://punetech.com/wp-admin/comment.php?action=cdc&dt=spam&c=7647

Notice anything strange?
Points to be noted:

Both comments are still in the moderation queue. Specifically, the first comment has not been approved yet. Which means that there is no way "Anand Shrivastava" could have seen "Mr. Patil's" comment.
Also, they are posted from the same IP address.

I did not realize that the situation of Pune builders has become so desperate that they have to resort to astroturfing to get people interested.

I googled a bit, and found that they appear to do this in other places too. See for example the four or five comments at this link.

In anycase, the Aarohi project by Tierth Developers hires unscrupulous people. Not a good sign.

Posted by Navin Kabra

Aug 26, 2009

Ravi Karandeekar said...

1) Navin, I don't consider that posting information about your real estate project in the comments on my real estate blog is a spam. Or when i don't consider that the comment is a spam and let it publish then you don't have any business to call it a spam. I consider it as my insult because i have approved it!

2) Plus, as a leading blogger in Pune, you should actually feel happy that builders in Pune have started taking blogging seriously. They have realized the importance of the comments and the conversation. You have disappointed me as a blogger too.

3) This is not done. It shows your short sightedness as a blogger and a prejudiced opinion about builders in Pune.

Navin Kabra said...

Ravi,
1. You've misunderstood my main point. I don't have anything against builders posting information about their real estate project. In fact, on your blog, that would actually add value. But, if you read my post carefully, you'll see that the same person is first posting information about the project, and then, the same person is pretending to be someone else and asking for more information about the project. This is not done. It's called astroturfing, and is unethical.

2. I certainly did not mean to cast any aspersions on your blog; and I definitely hope that none of my readers got that impression. If that did happen, I am sorry. I would note that unless a blogger is very careful, this type of astroturfing is very hard to notice. (I mean, no blogger is going to waste time comparing the IP addresses in different comments on a post.) In my case I was lucky, because the astroturfer was stupid enough to respond to his own comment even before the comment actually appeared publicly.

3. I hope that I've clarified the situation, and my primary objection. I welcome comments; I have a problem with fake comments. I hope you will revise your opinion of my blogging, and prejudice after this.

navin.

Yes, i agree with you when it's posted on your blog!

I used harsh words only because i respect you as technology blogger and expect you to be little soft and encouraging to real estate developers and property buyers who are using this medium to promote or complain.
Ravi Karandeekar,
+91 98600 44110.
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My Google Profile http://www.google.com/profiles/ravi.karandeekar

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Pune builders resorting to fake comment postings

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