Fake profile exposes why voting just based on (IBJJF) certificate is a bad idea
5 year(s) ago • 13830 views • 109 replies
So we just caught a fake profile on the site. Had circumvented ID verification using a fake ID, probably photoshopped. The only "proof" on the profile was a photoshopped IBJJF certificate, but still people had voted to confirm based on that. No photos, no social media, no instructor tagged, etc. IBJJF black belt database don't have the name but people still voted to confirm based on the picture of certificate. A quick google of the name of profile gave zero results. This confirms that - as expected - it is possible to create a fake ID and profile here. But also that no verification is permanent and any profile can be removed or disputed again quickly. I decided to delete the profile. It's only a matter of time before someone becomes suspicious and call it out. I suggest a bit more research before voting for people based purely on the picture of a certificate. Or at least go to IBJJF database and look it up, if that's what you're basing your vote on :)  (Edited 5 year(s) ago) |
"Sadly, someone who was previously IBJJF certified may no longer be listed on the IBJJF database if their dues are no longer paid up current for that year. But they still may have their IBJJF membership card or IBJJF certified black belt coach certificate, and usually do." I thought the name stays on there forever at the last belt they paid the certification for. The only thing that I'm aware of that does drop if fees are not paid and kept up are active certified academies. For example, I see a couple of former team mates that are on there showing up as Black Belts and I know they have been promoted to their next degree but show up on the IBJJF's list as what they previously had been registered/certified as. (Edited 5 year(s) ago) |
"So we just caught a fake profile on the site. Had circumvented ID verification using a fake ID, probably photoshopped. The only 'proof' on the profile was a photoshopped IBJJF certificate, but still people had voted to confirm based on that. No photos, no social media, no instructor tagged, etc. IBJJF black belt database don't have the name but people still voted to confirm based on the picture of certificate. A quick google of the name of profile gave zero results. This confirms that - as expected - it is possible to create a fake ID and profile here. But also that no verification is permanent and any profile can be removed or disputed again quickly. I decided to delete the profile. It's only a matter of time before someone becomes suspicious and call it out. I suggest a bit more research before voting for people based purely on the picture of a certificate. Or at least go to IBJJF database and look it up, if that's what you're basing your vote on :)" Real name Timmy ;) |
In any case, well done by the trickster, be they an admin, or a member, or a random person. As for me, I will continue to make reasonable efforts to verify that the ID name matches the IBJJF certificate or card. When possible, I check the IBJJF database, but when there is a calendar year gap, it is always possible that a holder of an IBJJF certificate is not listed on the IBJJF database if their dues are not current, and those with only IBJJF black belt competitor cards are never in the IBJJF public database. I will continue to rely on the admins to screen out the fake IDs, knowing that in most cases, that will be effective. However, no system of distance verification is perfect, a determined forger, could fake the ID of someone we know very well, and fake a certificate too, and snatch photos from someone else's Facebook page, and it would not be until we talked to them personally, and only if we happened to mention beltchecker, that we would happen to detect that a determined forger had gotten past the admin ID verification process, and was using stolen pictures, and/or a forged certificate. Now, if only the website had a biometric identification system...perhaps we could request that as a new feature add. (Edited 5 year(s) ago) |
"I thought the name stays on there forever at the last belt they paid the certification for. The only thing that I'm aware of that does drop if fees are not paid and kept up are active certified academies. For example, I see a couple of former team mates that are on there showing up as Black Belts and I know they have been promoted to their next degree but show up on the IBJJF's list as what they previously had been registered/certified as." They drop names after a while if dues are not kept up. |
"In any case, well done by the trickster, be they an admin, or a member, or a random person. As for me, I will continue to make reasonable efforts to verify that the ID name matches the IBJJF certificate or card. When possible, I check the IBJJF database, but when their is a calendar year gap, it is always possible that a holder of an IBJJF certificate is not listed on the IBJJF database if their dues are not current, and those with only IBJJF black belt competitor cards are never in the IBJJF public database. I will continue to rely on the admins to screen out the fake IDs, knowing that in most cases, that will be effective. However, no system of distance verification is perfect, a determined forger, could fake the ID of someone we know very well, and fake a certificate too, and snatch photos from someone else's Facebook page, and it would not be until we talked to them personally, and only if we happened to mention beltchecker, that we would happen to detect that a determined forger had gotten past the admin ID verification process, and was using stolen pictures, and/or a forged certificate. Now, if only the website had a biometric identification system...perhaps we could request that as a new feature add." Correct, no verification system is perfect. The most important point here is that the system works as designed; it can revert all types of verification in case of any type of fake information (unlike other verification providers). |
"Correct, no verification system is perfect. The most important point here is that the system works as designed; it can revert all types of verification in case of any type of fake information (unlike other verification providers)." Agreed. That is in part, what I rely on, when making reasonable efforts to verify. The same as certification and university testing centers. |
"OMG even an Italian black belt voted for the fake Italian black belt - the adventure continues :D" the Italian case is only 1, in fact no Italians verified the person in question, indeed it was not verified by Italians! I believe that now it is appropriate not to generalize and respect Italian black belts, because they are masters of sport and life! you also have the fake ones now through certified fakes, I believe that every nation has its black doubts, we Italians have just just seen it publicly reported for the good of the kids who want to get informed here too. oss. |
"the Italian case is only 1, in fact no Italians verified the person in question, indeed it was not verified by Italians! I believe that now it is appropriate not to generalize and respect Italian black belts, because they are masters of sport and life! you also have the fake ones now through certified fakes, I believe that every nation has its black doubts, we Italians have just just seen it publicly reported for the good of the kids who want to get informed here too. oss." Not a generalization, just a fun reference to the current debate :) |
"They drop names after a while if dues are not kept up." There are no dues to really keep up for a black belt certification. Only when you reapply for the next certification of your next degree. You get the certification and you're on the list. That's it! I have a former team mate that is on that black belt list. He's actually one of the first on that list. Today, he's at least a first degree black belt. Possibly up for his second. But the IBJJF has him listed as Black. He's obviously not re-certifying or keeping up any dues because he's still listed at just black. The only time that list changes is when you either first apply and get on the list or you re-certify at your next degree/rank. If you jump through the hoops, pay the 400 bucks, and get that certificate, you are on the list! They don't drop you! So, it would be safe to say that, if they post a picture of a legit certificate they should be on the list at the link below. https://ibjjf.com/list-of[...]ack-belts/ |
"There are no dues to really keep up for a black belt certification. Only when you reapply for the next certification of your next degree. You get the certification and you're on the list. That's it! I have a former team mate that is on that black belt list. He's actually one of the first on that list. Today, he's at least a first degree black belt. Possibly up for his second. But the IBJJF has him listed as Black. He's obviously not re-certifying or keeping up any dues because he's still listed at just black. The only time that list changes is when you either first apply and get on the list or you re-certify at your next degree/rank. If you jump through the hoops, pay the 400 bucks, and get that certificate, you are on the list! They don't drop you! So, it would be safe to say that, if they post a picture of a legit certificate they should be on the list at the link below. https://ibjjf.com/list-of[...]ack-belts/" I don't know if that is true or not, I will email them. I do seem to recall that my name has dropped off in the past when I let my dues lapse, but perhaps that was because I had also let my academy dues lapse. Or perhaps, I am in error, which is also possible. But, I will email them and ask if names are ever dropped off the list, and report back. (Edited 5 year(s) ago) |
"I don't know if that is true or not, I will email them. I do seem to recall that my name has dropped off in the past when I let my dues lapse, but perhaps that was because I had also let my academy dues lapse. Or perhaps, I am in error, which is also possible. But, I will email them and ask if names are every dropped off the list, and report back." That would be good to know. Thanks. |
