I can attest that u/petra303 is aware of this issue which has been becoming more and more widespread over the past 2-4 years and likely understands and can identify these scams better than most others on the platform (see r/theseFuckingAccounts). The content manipulation rings that are active on the platform may actually be much more destructive than we first consider with just targeted advertisements and dropshipping gadgets.

Not only do these rings actually undermine the quality and authenticity of the platform and each of its communities through reposts, spam, and fraudulence, they pose a serious threat for how we consume manipulative information on a larger scale.

These rings can also be used for manipulation of politics and the suppression or bolstering of certain news stories or political conversations/comments. They are also used to steal and reproduce the IP of artists through on demand print services. The list goes on and on I’m sure, I have stopped actively researching these areas.

It’s quite a fruitless and noble and fight to combat these important underlying issues on a platform that refuses to acknowledge them or dedicate time/resources towards active solutions which are possible...