For the record:  I still think that the identity of the person(s) controlling #1764044 “alia” is questionable.  (That’s part of the problem:  Questionable, with IP evidence weighing much more strongly than the user’s uncorroborated story.)  But there is no question that the account sold a fraudulent gambling script, scammed by lying about knowing Dave, and issued itself positive trust feedback (whether through an alt, or an alleged family member’s account—it doesn’t matter), among other misdeeds all worthy of being red-tagged to hell.  I say this according to the same standard I always apply to trust feedback.  Moreover, even under the most favourable (so to speak) assumption that the unlikely “little brother” story be true, that would make Alia the sister of a well-documented serial scammer (thanks: ibminer and NLNico), living in the same household as him and sharing computers and account info with him.  The more likely alternative theory:  “Alia” is him.

If Alia is actually a 19-year-old college girl who suffers a coincidental mix of bad luck, disreputable family, and a fast-and-loose attitude toward the truth, then I would suggest that she learn a lesson here, buckle down to her studies, take a long-term view of her future—and permaban her brother from ever even coming close to any of her computer equipment, ID cards, and account information.

For my part, I have here learned a hard lesson myself.

Before I stepped in and made “alia” famous, that account was quietly posting once or twice per day—mostly in loan-related threads, while maintaining NSFW threads.  The account had 52 merits from other users, mostly awarded after original “merit masturbation” post; but that had been a short-lived fad, quickly forgotten by almost everybody.

Within the span of less than a week, I picked up a Jr. account which had faded to obscurity, and brought it widespread attention—particularly from high-ranking members.  Not only attention, but credibility.  Though surely not all of it, much of “alia’s” public credibility was implicit, by association with me.

Moreover, I am almost certain that aTriz would never have even heard of “alia” if not for my actions—and I’m absolutely certain that he never would have given the account an unprecedented signature deal for a Jr. Member, if not for the association with me.  (Those who call him stupid for that, should ask if it would have been stupid to have given me the same deal when I was a Jr. Member.  aTriz did do some other quite foolish things here, as I expect he now realizes; but I think snapping up the signature of a “rising star” was just business savvy, albeit with a poorly-drafted contract.)  Obviously, aTriz is responsible for his own decisions just as I am for mine.  But I do still feel some sense of moral responsibility.  Sorry, aTriz.

In the future, I intend to be much more careful about whom I grant instant fame—with my own reputation on the line.  I never gave “alia” any positive endorsement of trustworthiness, via the formal trust system or otherwise.  But nevertheless:  Even what seems such a seemingly positive thing as a sexy merit bet and a titillating public romance can have serious consequences, if the recipient of my affections turns out to be a doorway to a whole closet full of skeletons.