Hello, and looking for advice/help from long term harassment

[username_unique]

Hello everyone,

I have been visiting this site casually for many years and often get great help on little matters here and there - mostly linux stuff - I thought I'd sign up and see if anyone can help with a problem I've faced for way too long...

A small group of people (including me) work for a not-for-profit group, we do not sell anything and we help people in many different countries to be able to achieve food security and adequate nutrition through growing their own food, and fish too.

One of the biggest benefits of they systems we teach is that people do not have to buy specific fertilisers/nutrient supplements..., and this is where the problem starts; There is an online business that derives the majority of its income from selling those fertilisers/nutrient supplements, and the main person behind that business has been bullying/harassing/slandering etc everyone in our group for 14 years.

Yes, that is literally 14 years, not a typo. This started well before I came along and for the last year has been on an almost daily basis. This happens on various social media platforms and websites and there is no sign of this stopping.

We can not continue this cycle of recording it all, and then reporting it all, only for the same person to start again with new accounts.

This is affecting our ability to help people that need it and is very frustrating. They basically stalk us and make posts and comments that are defamatory and outright lies.....it's not even worth going into the details, I'm sure most of you know what some people are like....

I've tried to keep this post short and to the point, but ask any questions if you need.

I'd like to know what I can do to stop this, people all over the world can really improve their lives if I/we are not blocked in our path.
What would you do if this happened for 14 years?

 

[tompots]

Hello everyone,

I have been visiting this site casually for many years and often get great help on little matters here and there - mostly linux stuff - I thought I'd sign up and see if anyone can help with a problem I've faced for way too long...

A small group of people (including me) work for a not-for-profit group, we do not sell anything and we help people in many different countries to be able to achieve food security and adequate nutrition through growing their own food, and fish too.

One of the biggest benefits of they systems we teach is that people do not have to buy specific fertilisers/nutrient supplements..., and this is where the problem starts; There is an online business that derives the majority of its income from selling those fertilisers/nutrient supplements, and the main person behind that business has been bullying/harassing/slandering etc everyone in our group for 14 years.

Yes, that is literally 14 years, not a typo. This started well before I came along and for the last year has been on an almost daily basis. This happens on various social media platforms and websites and there is no sign of this stopping.

We can not continue this cycle of recording it all, and then reporting it all, only for the same person to start again with new accounts.

This is affecting our ability to help people that need it and is very frustrating. They basically stalk us and make posts and comments that are defamatory and outright lies.....it's not even worth going into the details, I'm sure most of you know what some people are like....

I've tried to keep this post short and to the point, but ask any questions if you need.

I'd like to know what I can do to stop this, people all over the world can really improve their lives if I/we are not blocked in our path.
What would you do if this happened for 14 years?

I'm sorry you're facing this, no one should deal with harassment, especially when helping others. Reporting alone isn’t enough. Focus on owning your narrative: stronger content, and community support can drown out the noise. Your work matters, and we’re here to support you.

 

[username_unique]

Thanks, that is generally the advice I get and I have tried that, but this person contacts moderators of groups we post in and tells them a bunch of lies and, somehow, the mods keep believing it and we get our content removed and so we don't even have a narrative to control, in many cases.

 

[terrycody]

Just call 911, twitter now has policy to sumbit all the details to the police if you require, I don't think he can make unlimited accounts, its a bit impossible he will have a ton of sim cards, finally he will get caught for this.

 

[username_unique]

Just call 911, twitter now has policy to sumbit all the details to the police if you require, I don't think he can make unlimited accounts, its a bit impossible he will have a ton of sim cards, finally he will get caught for this.

I don't use twitter.

911? Are you actually serious because that's a ludicrous suggestion

 

[Undisputedads]

Hey there welcome to the forums. You are doing the world a great justice. However, you have to understand that you may be threatening this person's ricebowl. Perhaps talk to this person in an effort to put differences aside and work something out thats mutually beneficial. You will each have to give an take, but if it can result in something great for both parties that would be superb.

 

[username_unique]

Hey there welcome to the forums. You are doing the world a great justice. However, you have to understand that you may be threatening this person's ricebowl. Perhaps talk to this person in an effort to put differences aside and work something out thats mutually beneficial. You will each have to give an take, but if it can result in something great for both parties that would be superb.

Tried that about 6 years ago, in a few different ways. This person is not quite normal, I've been told drugs are involved.

I am definitely upsetting their rice bowl, but they are also selling overpriced supplements to gullible people that do not know they do not need them, so I am not overly-concerned with them losing income.

This person has set themself up to be an "expert" or a "leading figure" in the field and the things that we teach, well to be frank, it makes them look like idiots and the credibility they have built up over 20 years will go flying out the window.

14 years of this, and there is no way this person is backing off

 

[tompots]

Tried that about 6 years ago, in a few different ways. This person is not quite normal, I've been told drugs are involved.

I am definitely upsetting their rice bowl, but they are also selling overpriced supplements to gullible people that do not know they do not need them, so I am not overly-concerned with them losing income.

This person has set themself up to be an "expert" or a "leading figure" in the field and the things that we teach, well to be frank, it makes them look like idiots and the credibility they have built up over 20 years will go flying out the window.

14 years of this, and there is no way this person is backing off

I'm glad to here you have not given in to this type of behavior, just remember the weak attack the strong from the shadows, and if your a target then your on the path. It is a stand of true power to endure anything unwanted for 14 years +, maybe apply your powers to something other then non-profit and you could gaze upon them from the top of your hill one day

 

[tobi__sb]

Hello everyone,

I have been visiting this site casually for many years and often get great help on little matters here and there - mostly linux stuff - I thought I'd sign up and see if anyone can help with a problem I've faced for way too long...

A small group of people (including me) work for a not-for-profit group, we do not sell anything and we help people in many different countries to be able to achieve food security and adequate nutrition through growing their own food, and fish too.

One of the biggest benefits of they systems we teach is that people do not have to buy specific fertilisers/nutrient supplements..., and this is where the problem starts; There is an online business that derives the majority of its income from selling those fertilisers/nutrient supplements, and the main person behind that business has been bullying/harassing/slandering etc everyone in our group for 14 years.

Yes, that is literally 14 years, not a typo. This started well before I came along and for the last year has been on an almost daily basis. This happens on various social media platforms and websites and there is no sign of this stopping.

We can not continue this cycle of recording it all, and then reporting it all, only for the same person to start again with new accounts.

This is affecting our ability to help people that need it and is very frustrating. They basically stalk us and make posts and comments that are defamatory and outright lies.....it's not even worth going into the details, I'm sure most of you know what some people are like....

I've tried to keep this post short and to the point, but ask any questions if you need.

I'd like to know what I can do to stop this, people all over the world can really improve their lives if I/we are not blocked in our path.
What would you do if this happened for 14 years?

I’m really sorry you and your team have had to deal with this for so long. Given that this harassment has been ongoing for 14 years and is actively damaging your work, have you considered legal action? With such a long history of defamation and harassment, you may have enough evidence to take this person to court for defamation, harassment, and cyberstalking. A lawyer specializing in online harassment could help you take stronger action beyond just reporting accounts.

 

[username_unique]

I’m really sorry you and your team have had to deal with this for so long. Given that this harassment has been ongoing for 14 years and is actively damaging your work, have you considered legal action? With such a long history of defamation and harassment, you may have enough evidence to take this person to court for defamation, harassment, and cyberstalking. A lawyer specializing in online harassment could help you take stronger action beyond just reporting accounts.

We have been sending in legal notices to the social media offices but in the last 2 weeks this has no longer been effective.

Being a not-for-profit means I/we would have to pay for the lawyers ourselves. It also makes it more difficult with this person being in a different country.

Unfortunately, it is looking like the only option we have, but I suspect it would also involve a private investigator to properly link the accounts and IP addresses etc. I can't see it not being a long, drawn out drama - even more than it already is.

It's the best advice I have been given so far, so thank, I will look into it a bit further.

 

[tobi__sb]

We have been sending in legal notices to the social media offices but in the last 2 weeks this has no longer been effective.

Being a not-for-profit means I/we would have to pay for the lawyers ourselves. It also makes it more difficult with this person being in a different country.

Unfortunately, it is looking like the only option we have, but I suspect it would also involve a private investigator to properly link the accounts and IP addresses etc. I can't see it not being a long, drawn out drama - even more than it already is.

It's the best advice I have been given so far, so thank, I will look into it a bit further.

Yeah ! a inspector to check all ip linked to him is probably really needed ... and yeah, what a shame a not-for-profit business have to paid to defend himself ...

What's the company name of this as*hole ? maybe all togheter we could do something !

And if you succefuly make a tiktok or something about it viral, massive poeple could help you too.

Keep us posted about it mate ! and if we can help don't hesitate

 

[Ni12]

We can not continue this cycle of recording it all, and then reporting it all, only for the same person to start again with new accounts.

I'd like to know what I can do to stop this,

Sue them?

 

[username_unique]

Yeah ! a inspector to check all ip linked to him is probably really needed ... and yeah, what a shame a not-for-profit business have to paid to defend himself ...

What's the company name of this as*hole ? maybe all togheter we could do something !

And if you succefuly make a tiktok or something about it viral, massive poeple could help you too.

Keep us posted about it mate ! and if we can help don't hesitate

hXXps://www.potentponics(DOT)com/apmjnutes/

hXXps://trueaquaponics(DOT)com/

 

[username_unique]

Sue them?

I copied and pasted my reply to a similar suggestion; "
Being a not-for-profit means I/we would have to pay for the lawyers ourselves. It also makes it more difficult with this person being in a different country.

Unfortunately, it is looking like the only option we have, but I suspect it would also involve a private investigator to properly link the accounts and IP addresses etc. I can't see it not being a long, drawn out drama - even more than it already is."

 

[Gogol]

Thread moved to Blackhat Lounge.

 

[Sandro Vialli]

Hello everyone,

I have been visiting this site casually for many years and often get great help on little matters here and there - mostly linux stuff - I thought I'd sign up and see if anyone can help with a problem I've faced for way too long...

A small group of people (including me) work for a not-for-profit group, we do not sell anything and we help people in many different countries to be able to achieve food security and adequate nutrition through growing their own food, and fish too.

One of the biggest benefits of they systems we teach is that people do not have to buy specific fertilisers/nutrient supplements..., and this is where the problem starts; There is an online business that derives the majority of its income from selling those fertilisers/nutrient supplements, and the main person behind that business has been bullying/harassing/slandering etc everyone in our group for 14 years.

Yes, that is literally 14 years, not a typo. This started well before I came along and for the last year has been on an almost daily basis. This happens on various social media platforms and websites and there is no sign of this stopping.

We can not continue this cycle of recording it all, and then reporting it all, only for the same person to start again with new accounts.

This is affecting our ability to help people that need it and is very frustrating. They basically stalk us and make posts and comments that are defamatory and outright lies.....it's not even worth going into the details, I'm sure most of you know what some people are like....

I've tried to keep this post short and to the point, but ask any questions if you need.

I'd like to know what I can do to stop this, people all over the world can really improve their lives if I/we are not blocked in our path.
What would you do if this happened for 14 years?

You have a few solid options:
1. Legal Action – If the harassment is severe, consult a lawyer for defamation, harassment, or cyberstalking laws in your region. A cease-and-desist letter or legal action could deter them.
2. SEO & Reputation Management – Push their content down by publishing positive content about your work. Use social media, blogs, and PR to dominate search results.
3. Platform Reporting & Blacklisting – Work directly with social media platforms to mass-report their content. If they create new accounts, keep a list of IPs and usernames to track/block.
4. Community Support & Exposure – Gather testimonials and publicly expose their harassment through articles, videos, or media outreach.
5. Ignore & Redirect – If they thrive on reactions, starving them of attention while doubling down on your mission may weaken their impact.

Would you like help crafting a public response or SEO strategy?

 

[Ni12]

I copied and pasted my reply to a similar suggestion; "
Being a not-for-profit means I/we would have to pay for the lawyers ourselves. It also makes it more difficult with this person being in a different country.

Unfortunately, you may have to shoulder this financial burden.

It's been 14 years. This is a pretty long time. The good thing is that it also gives any lawyer lots if evidence to work with.

You are a not-for-profit . Perhaps there are lawyers/firms that can help you pro bono?

 

[username_unique]

You have a few solid options:
1. Legal Action – If the harassment is severe, consult a lawyer for defamation, harassment, or cyberstalking laws in your region. A cease-and-desist letter or legal action could deter them.
2. SEO & Reputation Management – Push their content down by publishing positive content about your work. Use social media, blogs, and PR to dominate search results.
3. Platform Reporting & Blacklisting – Work directly with social media platforms to mass-report their content. If they create new accounts, keep a list of IPs and usernames to track/block.
4. Community Support & Exposure – Gather testimonials and publicly expose their harassment through articles, videos, or media outreach.
5. Ignore & Redirect – If they thrive on reactions, starving them of attention while doubling down on your mission may weaken their impact.

Would you like help crafting a public response or SEO strategy?

That would be great, but I am finding it extremely difficult to actually get my foot in the door as this user has built himself a name in the industry. I'm trying to be vague in this thread to keep things on the down low, but we are in a fairly niche industry and so he is able to contact moderators and 'sell' them his story quite convincingly.

The platform reporting is becoming less effective as it used to be, perhaps they have flagged me as a 'nuisance reporter' or something like that because of the frequency (and consistency) of reports.....it's a never ending game of whack a mole for me - it's absolutely unproductive and a waste of time to be spending hours every week recording urls and screenshots and having to constantly read such b.s. - this is all what's led me to this thread/post!

We have more than testimonials, we have published scientific papers in respected journals so I try to focus on using that.

He started a 'hate group' and that took me nearly a year to get removed. Three days later he started another one and that took almost a year to get removed, I had to send in legal letters instead of reports to get that to happen. I have been working very hard at completely ignoring him but very recently I was able to get one of his most defamatory posts removed, but, this has caused him to pop his head out again and start the same drama.

Writing all this makes me cringe....it feels like I'm a primary school kid running to the teacher or something.....I just want this to end.

 

[tompots]

That would be great, but I am finding it extremely difficult to actually get my foot in the door as this user has built himself a name in the industry. I'm trying to be vague in this thread to keep things on the down low, but we are in a fairly niche industry and so he is able to contact moderators and 'sell' them his story quite convincingly.

The platform reporting is becoming less effective as it used to be, perhaps they have flagged me as a 'nuisance reporter' or something like that because of the frequency (and consistency) of reports.....it's a never ending game of whack a mole for me - it's absolutely unproductive and a waste of time to be spending hours every week recording urls and screenshots and having to constantly read such b.s. - this is all what's led me to this thread/post!

We have more than testimonials, we have published scientific papers in respected journals so I try to focus on using that.

He started a 'hate group' and that took me nearly a year to get removed. Three days later he started another one and that took almost a year to get removed, I had to send in legal letters instead of reports to get that to happen. I have been working very hard at completely ignoring him but very recently I was able to get one of his most defamatory posts removed, but, this has caused him to pop his head out again and start the same drama.

Writing all this makes me cringe....it feels like I'm a primary school kid running to the teacher or something.....I just want this to end.

Here’s a structured approach you could consider:

Assess the Power Dynamics & Platform Policies​

Review the platform's Terms of Service and moderation policies to ensure you have a clear understanding of what rules are being violated. If possible, identify higher authorities (such as a trust & safety team, legal department, or corporate oversight) that could intervene beyond the current moderation team.

Diversify Your Reporting Strategy​

If platform-based reporting is ineffective, try escalating the issue through direct contact with the platform’s legal or public relations team.Use legal pressure if necessary, as you’ve done before though this is time-consuming, it has worked in removing defamatory content.Consider third-party watchdog groups or industry associations that might hold sway over the platform.

Leverage Public Credibility & Reputation​

Since you have scientific papers and testimonials, use them strategically to reinforce your legitimacy.
If the person is misrepresenting the truth to moderators, consider publishing a professional, factual statement (blog, LinkedIn post, industry forum) that counters their misinformation without engaging in direct drama.

Minimize Direct Engagement & Exposure​

Mute and filter the offender whenever possible to reduce exposure to negativity.
Consider using third-party monitoring services or automated tracking tools to reduce the manual burden of collecting evidence.

​

Strengthen Legal & External Recourse​

If the offender is engaging in harassment, defamation, or cyberbullying, consult a cyberlaw specialist to explore formal legal actions. If they have a history of creating hate groups, you might be able to argue for a permanent ban under anti-harassment policies.

Consider External Public Pressure​

If the platform refuses to take action despite clear violations, consider media exposure or public awareness this has worked in past cases of online harassment. Sometimes, having a respected journalist or industry figure highlight the issue forces a platform to act.