Govind said:
I’d like to start off this dispute by saying that I am heavily invested in Sythe.org and I owe a lot financially to this site. I am online every day for more than 12 hours and during my extensive time here I’ve come to love Sythe. As a result, I’ve tried my absolute best to contribute in a positive way to both the marketplace and the community as a whole during my year of activity.
I’ve reported hundreds of posts, from spamming to phishing and everywhere in between. I’ve compiled dozens of scam reports and contributed crucial evidence to many investigations. I’ve donated $500 to the site to aid its continued existence into the foreseeable future. I’ve completed thousands of successful trades and I am one of the most heavily vouched and trusted users in the history of the site. I’ve also bought more gold than any other marketplace user. I try my best to deliver outstanding customer service and I truly enjoy helping people understand how to navigate the difficult trading atmosphere.
I am heavily invested in Sythe’s future. I intentionally did not devote my time to its biggest competitor, powerbot.org. I truly believe that my presence on Sythe is very beneficial and draws attention to the site as a whole by emphasizing the ability to trade safely, especially for large amounts, because after all, Sythe is the self-proclaimed “craiglist of virtual goods.”
I’ve also been a very vocal member during several controversial events, in particular events where I felt like the staff was acting out of line with this mantra. Specific examples that come to mind are Plznate’s scamming episodes, n4n0’s scamming history, vietballer’s OMM scam, and Louis’ terrible job as an OMM. If my reaction seems extreme, perhaps that is just because the future of sythe as a leader in the runescape marketplace is so critical to my continued success.
That said, I want to first comment that in no way were my comments meant to stir up anti-staff sentiment. I was and still am very upset about the whole was this “sting” was handled. I do not think my comments warranted a forum ban.
Onto the specific incident, the fake hacking of n4n0’s MSN.
I stand by my previous comments; I am still unimpressed with this ordeal. Creating such a huge spectacle was totally unnecessary. I understand and agree that the staff had good intentions—banning scammers. Nonetheless, the means do not justify the ends.
Not only was this episode entrapment, it seems now to be bordering on coercion. After hearing that n4n0 actually solicited a member (or members) and tempted him to fake a scam, I am even more upset. Coercing users into scamming is a very quick way to implode the integrity that is the root of the marketplace. This activity is extremely deceitful and immature. Also, as I recall, there were additional posts on the original "n4n0’s MSN was hacke"d thread that the hacker (n4n0 and Govind) solicited many users and offered them a split if they would fake a frame on the forum.
Considering that this was posted by multiple users, I can only ask, seriously? This kind of activity does not create a safer marketplace or boost the reputation of Sythe as the leading runescape blackmarket.
Additionally, this activity does not benefit the site as a whole in any way. As stated previously, both the quality and quantity of the users that were banned were extremely low. Creating such a scene over this was highly unnecessary. I truly believe that instead of being “innovative,” the staff’s efforts would be better spent improving existing systems. There are many scammers in the gold buying forum, for example, which are not banned as fast as they should be. Scammers reports can always be improved on. This is very frustrating to me, as a reputation where people go to get scammed is the last thing I want sythe to have.
When an OMM posts this:
I have to ask, is trolling a trait that we should admire in our head OMM and administrators? The answer: No.
It seems that Govind and n4n0 are placing themselves on a moral high ground and granting themselves immunity for coming up with such a stunt. Fact is, if I did this, I can guarantee I’d be banned. This activity was a total abuse of power.
I’ve read over all of my comments and I honestly think that banning me from the forum because I disagreed and claimed things like that this activity was “deceitful, immature, childish, dishonest, immature, etc” was a bit of an abuse of power in and of itself.
I request to have my forum banned lifted so that I may view the current developments and either change or confirm my original statements. I thank you for taking this into consideration and I look forward to whoever responds.
To conclude, I was not stirring up anti-staff sentiment, 99% of the time I believe the staff does an excellent job and I make sure to go out of my way to let those who perform to know that they are doing well. I vehemently disagree with this activity and I think you must have misinterpreted my posts to have come to a decision that warranted a forum ban.
Thank you for reading this appeal and I look forward to the prompt response by whoever answers this.
