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See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

trolls, attention seekers and other wierdos.

257 replies

whatwouldjesusdo · 11/01/2007 09:45

I thought it might be useful to have a reference thread on this subject. It isn't aimed at any particular person or thread, and would be good to keep it as a general reference for people who are new to the site, ie not discuss particular threads here.

TROLLS are typically new posters, previously unseen on mn,
They may have weird sexual problems, which they try to suck people into discussing. In MN folklore, they are hairy arsed truckdrivers or schoolboys, and they may invite posts like "trippety trap" or "go and do your homework"
Alternatively, they may post something inflamatory, eg insulting another poster, to start a fight.

ATTENTION SEEKERS may run a mumsnet persona over several months, and may be mothers, so look much more genuine. However, there are genuine mothers who also suffer from attention seeking disorders.
Look out for some or all of the following:

  • an unusual story
  • a poster whose only help comes apparently from mumsnet
  • a poster who has apparently convincing reasons for not seeking help from the authorities
  • a poster who makes people feel sorry for them all the time, and thanks them for their sympathy with pathetic gratitude
  • an extreme story, such as suicide or the poster saying that they are about to abandon their children
  • generally, a poster who appears to live in the middle of a dramatic situation, and who posts at key dramatic moments.

CON ARTISTS will run a convincing story, and, having got your sympathy, will try and get you to do things for them. Eg, they put themselves apparently into situations where you can help them, and then wait for you to offer your help. They are hard to spot online, and you have to make up your own mind about what sort of risk you are prepared to take about corresponding with other posters.

This is emphatically not intended as a discussion of whether we are gullible or not, but if anyone's sympathies are particularly aroused by any thread, please do come back here now or in the future and have another read.
and of course, please add your own recommendations on spotting threads that dont add up.

OP posts:
mellowma · 12/01/2007 09:42

Message withdrawn

BuffysMum · 12/01/2007 09:42

Wwjd next time I'm over near Munich (could be years) we'll get our 8 children together get a bit drunk and crease up laughing over this. We could even dp dramatic re-enactments!

Hopefully by then your ex will have disappeared

Original poster
whatwouldjesusdo · 12/01/2007 09:41

there were a lot of lies on them, dino, mixed with how much truth, is difficult to say.

to my certain knowledge, she has used 3 different names in RL.

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 12/01/2007 09:40

JudgeFlounce was the ultimate troll.

Plibble · 12/01/2007 09:40

I didn't know what all the fuss was about until I read the lastest posts on this thread. It seems that because of the nature of MN it is easy to get drawn in. If someone you didn't really know came to you in r/l and said that they were in the middle of some horrid situation, you would be pretty measured about what help you offered - a lift to the police station, perhaps, or a bit of money you could easily afford, but not necessarily to go to their house, for them to stay at yours etc. For some reason, on MN, unusually helpful offers are made, perhaps because it is easy to start thinking of people on MN as your friends, even when you don't know much about them. This is the problem, but it is also one of the nice things about MN.

I'm sorry to hear that people got burned by whoever this person was and that Nurseyjo has taken a break as a result.

Kezzag and WWJD- it's good to hear that this episode won't stop you helping people. No matter what, Dotty/Foxy/whoeverthehell clearly needs some sort of help.

100PerCentCod · 12/01/2007 09:40

fark orf

justJAM · 12/01/2007 09:39

I didn't see it either cod and though I have never spoken to you, I know from many, many posts you were greatly missed...now be gracious and accept these fluffy twee hugs that you love sooooo much
{{{{{{{{ HUGS }}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}
Welcome back

Original poster
whatwouldjesusdo · 12/01/2007 09:38

yes, agree. she is v intelligent and convincing. I wont post in on mn, but we now know a lot about her in rl.

OP posts:
Dinosaur · 12/01/2007 09:38

I haven't got time to read this properly, but did someone say that the foxy threads weren't for real?

justJAM · 12/01/2007 09:37

WWJD - I don't know many people who wouldn't of believed her, but that just reinforces how ill she was that she was so convincing, obviously not the first time she has done it...and personally, I would rather believe a liar 10 times over than ignore someone in real pain.

Original poster
whatwouldjesusdo · 12/01/2007 09:36

funnily enough, buffy, Ive also researched all the same subjects you have!

OP posts:
100PerCentCod · 12/01/2007 09:36

i love that "So longsuckers" not ont hat clip sadly

Original poster
whatwouldjesusdo · 12/01/2007 09:35

I was having a mn break, and missed the whole judgeflounce thing

OP posts:
BuffysMum · 12/01/2007 09:34

BTW love the pinata clip

100PerCentCod · 12/01/2007 09:34

lol at buffy

BuffysMum · 12/01/2007 09:33

On the positive side I've learnt lots of useful information on embassies, foreign office, passports, visas, prosecuting fraudulent people etc etc etc etc etc

100PerCentCod · 12/01/2007 09:32

ah jesus you dont rememerb the judgel flounce hoo ha

now if you had lived through that you woudl not be so kind

SSShakeTheChi · 12/01/2007 09:31

Don't think I'm a troll or an attention seeker so much but definitely one of the weirdos.

Original poster
whatwouldjesusdo · 12/01/2007 09:31

justjam - a bit embarrassed at believing the more exotic lies for more than 2 seconds, thats all

OP posts:
100PerCentCod · 12/01/2007 09:29

no i am a magical pinata

BuffysMum · 12/01/2007 09:28

wasn't be nice! Just saying that I'd missed you I usually keep my distance as I'm a bit sensitive at times!

Original poster
whatwouldjesusdo · 12/01/2007 09:28

yeah, but you're not gullible, are you cod????

OP posts:
justJAM · 12/01/2007 09:28

Have to say like lissie, I was relatively new to mn and followed the dotty situation and it played on my mind...I remember thinking how wonderful that MN's were helping her in RL...It saddens me today to find out that she was not genuine, and all of the effort you ladies put in, both emotional and physical, was in vain. As has already been said, she obviously does has mental health problems, but all the same you must all feel extremely betrayed.

lulumama · 12/01/2007 09:27

the intitial thread in 'feeling depressed' , i should say

KezzaG · 12/01/2007 09:27

I never got the Cod thing before, but you have made me laugh on this thread when I was clenching my teeth with anger earlier. You are one random fish!