Fraud account on Shutterstock.

gnirtS · August 12, 2023, 04:52

Unsplash and Pixa are the sites of choice for "sourcing" content.

Although a lot now are exploiting free trials from real agencies to download collections OR abusing real subscription accounts to use up the left over month quota to obtain images (advertised a lot on FB).
Also using left-over quote to boost images on request, for a fee. Again advertised a lot on FB.

What gets me with SS is they literally have the ability to detect this on upload - their "similar images" often show identical images 3-4x right below the current selected one.
It really wouldn't be hard to script so thats checked on upload and suspicious images are flagged for real person review.

gnirtS · August 12, 2023, 05:55

gnirtS · August 12, 2023, 06:37

Quote from: KuriousKat on August 11, 2023, 19:15
Here's another one to check:

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Take_photo_byhabib

This is all getting a bit depressing

Theft aside, how . is "F35 fighter in mission" getting through a trademark/patent/IP check for RF sales?!

Im a fan of "Fantastic aerial photography, green wavy field" too. I mean who isn't?

Some images stolen from "worldclassphoto" account which in itself looks highly suspicious for the type and variation of shot. And everyone else.

odesigns · August 12, 2023, 12:25

This guy had one of my videos in his portfolio. It was in the first spot, so I assume it was a good seller for him.

I jumped thru their hoops and got the clip removed, but for some reason, that wasn't enough to terminate his account.

No other clip of mine are in his 6 page portfolio, but since he had one of mine before, there's a chance he has others from other contributors.

If you're a video contributor, you may want to check this portfolio:

Link: https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Mastermint/video

gnirtS · August 12, 2023, 14:19

Quote from: J_Stock on August 12, 2023, 12:25
This guy had one of my videos in his portfolio. It was in the first spot, so I assume it was a good seller for him.

I jumped thru their hoops and got the clip removed, but for some reason, that wasn't enough to terminate his account.

No other clip of mine are in his 6 page portfolio, but since he had one of mine before, there's a chance he has others from other contributors.

If you're a video contributor, you may want to check this portfolio:

Link: https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Mastermint/video

This is the problem - a DMCA quite often only results in the one offending item being removed and the rest of the account, also dodgy, remains.

kuriouskat · August 12, 2023, 22:16

Here's another one:

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Harry1277

Noedelhap · August 14, 2023, 13:29

Small Shutterstock thief who stole one of my vector graphics and shamelessly uploaded it to the same website:
https://www.shutterstock.com/g/sibella8

And Shutterstock simply accepted a similar without checking anything.

Edit: sent a DMCA notice and they swiftly removed the fraudster

homydesign · December 16, 2023, 01:06

Fake account with more stolen pictures from other contributors: https://www.shutterstock.com/g/rizki+mln

estovid · December 22, 2023, 17:11

kuriouskat · January 13, 2024, 19:19

A few more here:

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Graphic+Idp

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/santosh+rajawat

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Dairvi

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/imitrieagar

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/rustipic

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Richard+Store

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Bangedy

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/MD+ASHIQUL+ISLAM+KHOKA

blvdone · January 13, 2024, 19:35

Quote from: KuriousKat on January 13, 2024, 19:19
A few more here:

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Graphic+Idp

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/santosh+rajawat

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Dairvi

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/imitrieagar

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/rustipic

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Richard+Store

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Bangedy

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/MD+ASHIQUL+ISLAM+KHOKA

It's a cat and mouse game. Probably many of the same repeat fraudsters keep doing this again and again somewhere in the world where cost of living is low.

Uncle Pete · January 13, 2024, 20:51

Quote from: blvdone on January 13, 2024, 19:35
Quote from: KuriousKat on January 13, 2024, 19:19
A few more here:

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Graphic+Idp (25)

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/santosh+rajawat (3)

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Dairvi (1005)

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/imitrieagar (520)

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/rustipic

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Richard+Store

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Bangedy (33)

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/MD+ASHIQUL+ISLAM+KHOKA (168)

It's a cat and mouse game. Probably many of the same repeat fraudsters keep doing this again and again somewhere in the world where cost of living is low.

True and some of them work harder at it, until they get shut down. I still wonder if they ever make payout, or if it's just a stupid cat and mouse, and the only ones who lose, are the artists whose images are stolen?

kuriouskat · January 14, 2024, 08:53

Quote from: Uncle Pete on January 13, 2024, 20:51
Quote from: blvdone on January 13, 2024, 19:35
Quote from: KuriousKat on January 13, 2024, 19:19
A few more here:

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Graphic+Idp (25)

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/santosh+rajawat (3)

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Dairvi (1005)

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/imitrieagar (520)

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/rustipic

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Richard+Store

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Bangedy (33)

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/MD+ASHIQUL+ISLAM+KHOKA (168)

It's a cat and mouse game. Probably many of the same repeat fraudsters keep doing this again and again somewhere in the world where cost of living is low.

True and some of them work harder at it, until they get shut down. I still wonder if they ever make payout, or if it's just a stupid cat and mouse, and the only ones who lose, are the artists whose images are stolen?

Judging by those who smugly announce their earnings on FaceBook groups, I'd say that plenty make some decent money before being shut down. The fraudsters also recommend setting up multiple accounts in various family member names, so that if one gets shut down, everything is not lost.

Once you start looking for similars, it's a rabbit hole, and you might find the same image, with minor changes, in several different accounts. It becomes difficult to figure out where the original has come from, but each account that gets closed is just the tip of the iceberg.

I'm sure those with only a page of images don't make much, unless they get a lucky large sale, but some of these portfolios are quite big, and have been online for some time.

This, for example:

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Dairvi

Over a thousand quality images covering major holidays and events, and from the ID numbers, the first were uploaded in March 2023. The 90 day wait period has long since passed, so even at $100 a month earnings, this contributor has potentially made $1000 or more.

kuriouskat · January 14, 2024, 09:12

Here's a few bigger accounts:

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/SR+Designer (3308 images)

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Smile+Estudio (1728 images)

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/123husnain (3267 images)

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/chhipa1254 (1268 images)

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/Ahsiwch (965 images)

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/PhotographyLover1 (775 images)

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/mashowstep (899 images)

https://www.shutterstock.com/g/0-4REIZ (709 images)

Uncle Pete · January 15, 2024, 19:11

Quote from: KuriousKat on January 14, 2024, 08:53

Judging by those who smugly announce their earnings on FaceBook groups, I'd say that plenty make some decent money before being shut down. The fraudsters also recommend setting up multiple accounts in various family member names, so that if one gets shut down, everything is not lost.

And you believe them?

SS has shut down family members because of IP address, camera data and computer sharing. It's not as easy as some FB brag.

To be fair, and balanced, many do not have thousands of images. There was a entire group a couple months ago, that all had under 50. I'm not finding the limited number of exceptions, who have gotten past being shut down, but the more usual, who open the account, post a set, and disappear.

How many people do you know who make good money from 50 images?

I'm sure we both agree that all the agencies, especially SS should do more to find and eliminate these people.

What FB group, I'd love to go read what they have to brag about. I can't understand how thieves, with collected images, make more than people here who are smart and work hard?

kuriouskat · January 15, 2024, 19:53

Quote from: Uncle Pete on January 15, 2024, 19:11
Quote from: KuriousKat on January 14, 2024, 08:53

Judging by those who smugly announce their earnings on FaceBook groups, I'd say that plenty make some decent money before being shut down. The fraudsters also recommend setting up multiple accounts in various family member names, so that if one gets shut down, everything is not lost.

And you believe them? SS has shut down family members because of IP address, camera data and computer sharing. It's not as easy as some FB brag.

...

What FB group, I'd love to go read what they have to brag about. I can't understand how thieves, with collected images, make more than people here who are smart and work hard?

Family members don't necessarily live at the same address or share an IP, and I know for a fact of some contributors doing this. As I also know of legitimate contributors running two separate accounts from the same IP.

The thieves make money because they skim off better content. We all know that, as a general rule, 20% of the images make 80% of the money, but if they are selecting the best images, then they can certainly increase the sales percentage in their favour. It's always been quality over quantity, so if you steal 50 spectacular images, then they are likely to make more than a beginner with 50 snapshots of his back yard.

I'm sure people wouldn't keep contributing if they weren't earning anything as, even with stolen content, you still have to upload it. If you only make a dollar a week, then people wouldn't bother.

If you then add on the number of 'free trial' accounts that only download this content, then it doesn't take long to start earning.

Bottom line, I don't care whether it is lucrative for them or not, but I care about a database being flooded with stolen content that heavily competes against the legitimate stuff.

As for the FaceBook group, search Shutterstock Contributors, Shutterstock Contributors Worldwide, etc. There are loads of groups, and they all have a smattering of crooks bragging about their successes.

Uncle Pete · January 16, 2024, 17:55

Quote from: KuriousKat on January 15, 2024, 19:53
Quote from: Uncle Pete on January 15, 2024, 19:11
Quote from: KuriousKat on January 14, 2024, 08:53

Judging by those who smugly announce their earnings on FaceBook groups, I'd say that plenty make some decent money before being shut down. The fraudsters also recommend setting up multiple accounts in various family member names, so that if one gets shut down, everything is not lost.

And you believe them? SS has shut down family members because of IP address, camera data and computer sharing. It's not as easy as some FB brag.

...

What FB group, I'd love to go read what they have to brag about. I can't understand how thieves, with collected images, make more than people here who are smart and work hard?

Family members don't necessarily live at the same address or share an IP, and I know for a fact of some contributors doing this. As I also know of legitimate contributors running two separate accounts from the same IP.

The thieves make money because they skim off better content. We all know that, as a general rule, 20% of the images make 80% of the money, but if they are selecting the best images, then they can certainly increase the sales percentage in their favour. It's always been quality over quantity, so if you steal 50 spectacular images, then they are likely to make more than a beginner with 50 snapshots of his back yard.

I'm sure people wouldn't keep contributing if they weren't earning anything as, even with stolen content, you still have to upload it. If you only make a dollar a week, then people wouldn't bother.

If you then add on the number of 'free trial' accounts that only download this content, then it doesn't take long to start earning.

Bottom line, I don't care whether it is lucrative for them or not, but I care about a database being flooded with stolen content that heavily competes against the legitimate stuff.

As for the FaceBook group, search Shutterstock Contributors, Shutterstock Contributors Worldwide, etc. There are loads of groups, and they all have a smattering of crooks bragging about their successes.

Yes, true, and thanks.

I want to read the crooks bragging about how much they make, stealing images. Maybe when I have a boring day.

antoniogravante · February 06, 2024, 15:09

dragonblade · February 07, 2024, 02:41

Quote from: KuriousKat on January 15, 2024, 19:53

The thieves make money because they skim off better content. We all know that, as a general rule, 20% of the images make 80% of the money, but if they are selecting the best images, then they can certainly increase the sales percentage in their favour. It's always been quality over quantity, so if you steal 50 spectacular images, then they are likely to make more than a beginner with 50 snapshots of his back yard.

Valid points. I remember on the old SS forum, a thief was discovered and quite a few of us contributors were browsing through his port of stolen goods. The images selected were extremely high quality. Like the best of the best with all different kinds of subjects. It was quite a decent sized port too if I recall correctly. I wouldn't be surprised if this thief was making a ton of money.

YadaYadaYada · February 09, 2024, 13:00

Quote from: dragonblade on February 07, 2024, 02:41
Quote from: KuriousKat on January 15, 2024, 19:53

The thieves make money because they skim off better content. We all know that, as a general rule, 20% of the images make 80% of the money, but if they are selecting the best images, then they can certainly increase the sales percentage in their favour. It's always been quality over quantity, so if you steal 50 spectacular images, then they are likely to make more than a beginner with 50 snapshots of his back yard.

Valid points. I remember on the old SS forum, a thief was discovered and quite a few of us contributors were browsing through his port of stolen goods. The images selected were extremely high quality. Like the best of the best with all different kinds of subjects. It was quite a decent sized port too if I recall correctly. I wouldn't be surprised if this thief was making a ton of money.

The names look fake, and many people use a + in their name. Wack A Mole.

Uncle Pete · February 09, 2024, 16:23

Quote from: dragonblade on February 07, 2024, 02:41
Quote from: KuriousKat on January 15, 2024, 19:53

The thieves make money because they skim off better content. We all know that, as a general rule, 20% of the images make 80% of the money, but if they are selecting the best images, then they can certainly increase the sales percentage in their favour. It's always been quality over quantity, so if you steal 50 spectacular images, then they are likely to make more than a beginner with 50 snapshots of his back yard.

Valid points. I remember on the old SS forum, a thief was discovered and quite a few of us contributors were browsing through his port of stolen goods. The images selected were extremely high quality. Like the best of the best with all different kinds of subjects. It was quite a decent sized port too if I recall correctly. I wouldn't be surprised if this thief was making a ton of money.

I looked at the first five, 404 error. Either they are gone already or something is different on the Spanish site from the English site? But none of the checked links is anything.

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Fraud account on Shutterstock.

odesigns