Local Guide's Account for....sale??

[SamanthaSheehy]

Hello wonderful world of Local Guide Gurus!  

I'm associated with a Facebook Group dedicated to Google Local Guides for sharing posts, images, tips. etc.  I usually enjoy scrolling through the page and seeing LG's celebrate achievements and share photos from their local area.  However, I came across this post below and was shocked when I read someone apparently "selling" access to someone else's Local Guide account - 

Level 10 LG Account for Sale?

Has anyone else come across something similar?  If so, what is the appropriate action to take?  Please note that I'm not trying to get another LG in trouble, or to publicly call someone out - I'm just concerned that this is highly inappropriate and seeking to do the morally correct thing and bring the issue to an admin's attention....

Thanks to any moderators @KatieMcBroom , @MortenCopenhagen , @ErmesT who can chime in and give any advice!

Below is a link to the Facebook post

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2423403394336356/permalink  

Thanks friends!  😍

Samantha Sheehy 

My Google Maps Contributions!  

[C_T]

Hello @SamanthaSheehy 

That's a startling observation.

However, to sell an LG account, one has to part with the Google account also sharing the verification info. That includes a phone number or an alternative email id.

Thus, in my opinion, either the offer is fake or the person had set up the LG account with internation of selling, right from the beginning

However, there aren't any tangible benefits in attaining level 10 and hence the former possibility appears to be credible.

[ErmesT]

Thank you for letting us know @SamanthaSheehy .

This is totally against the program rules. I am tagging a Google Moderator, @Giu_DiB , to check te link shared by you

[MortenCopenhagen]

Hi @SamanthaSheehy 

I have previously reported a guy on Facebook trying to sell a level 10 local guide account on Facebook. 

I asked for more details and all he sent me after quite a wait was a screen shot of a local guides profile page. The fun thing was that he had no clue that the scale changes from 0-100.000 to 100.000-200.000 points next to the orange bar once you reach level 10. So that gave away it was a fake photoshoppes "screenshot".

The team warned me not to persue him further to prevent the scammer turning nasty towards me.

But if you can get a link to the LG profile they are trying to sell the team might be able to stop it.

Thus scam is closely related to the misperception that high level local guides has extra editing power. That is not correct. I believe the only extra power is closely linked to the fact that we have and use more experience. So we avoid suggesting edits that will not be approved. 

Cheers

Morten 

[JanVanHaver]

Over 20.000 pictures and 1 single review? Amazing what kind of things some people will do. Well-spotted  @SamanthaSheehy and well-done for pointing it out.

[MortenCopenhagen]

Ha ha. It is excately the same phony screenshots I recieved. Notice how the orange bar is full while it should be super short on a scale from 100.000 to 200.000. This is funny! 

[ErmesT]

OOOOps, @MortenCopenhagen 

Great observation. A fake account trying to scam someone who wants to buy a Level 10 Local Guide, for doing what with the badge?

Find a Job as a Google specialist? I can't believe there is a market like that, BTW. Wonder if someone will try to sell a CM badge in the future ...

Well, as I said, it is indeed a serious issue @SamanthaSheehy , but on the same time it is hilarious to think about this: Who is the scammer? The one who sell the account, or the one who wants to buy it?

[SamanthaSheehy]

@ErmesT , @MortenCopenhagen , @JanVanHaver , @C_T  -

THANK YOU all for your amazingly satisfying and helpful responses! 

I KNEW something didn't feel right about this Facebook post.  And I agree with everyone, it IS a serious issue, but thanks to @ErmesT for helping me to look at  the  situation a different way.  Which IS worse?   A user selling an account, or a potential user buying an account?  One thing is for sure - both sides of this silly coin sound like desperate attempts at some sort of imaginary internet fame.  😍

Cheers to you all for your support!  👋

Samantha

Google Maps Contributions!  

[rizbab28]

@SamanthaSheehy 

Hi,

First of all I am absolutely grateful to you for your appreciation about one of my post.

I appreciate your concern about this incident as the concerned section of the community is already involved to take the appropriate action.

Warm Wishes,

Rizwan