#comment scam

Last night I got an angry message on my Tumblr from a user asking why I was flaming their story on AO3.

I never leave negative comments (and I've left over 500 positive ones!). I looked into it, and the hatebots on AO3 used my username with (Guest) at the end to send one of the most vile messages I've ever read to a user in a completely different fandom from me.

I straightened it out with that user and explained about the hatebots. I still can't really fathom why these hatebots do what they do, but I'm also a little scared that a misunderstanding like that could lead to someone getting doxxed. And I'm also extremely sad that this bot is posing as me and threatening other users. I encouraged the one reaching out to me to report and block and made a note on my page explaining that (Guest) comments are not from me in case anyone else had that experience.

I still love AO3 for the ability to write and share and connect over our stories and fandoms, but this is really discouraging and scary, in addition to the almost daily art bot scams I get on AO3 too.

And my heart breaks for the user who thought even for a moment that a complete stranger would say such awful things to them using my name. I'm genuinely glad they reached out so we could straighten it out. I would hate to think someone could internalize those hateful comments without ever knowing it's a bot because they didn't reach out!!

And it's devastating to think of so many writers waiting for feedback on a story they worked so hard on who are getting hateful comments like these!

As a kid who grew up watching Terminator - I'm not sure I envisioned the robot wars looking quite like this!!

Here's the form to report abuse if you have a comment from a bot: https://archiveofourown.org/abuse_reports/new

Here's a link with additional information on the different types of bots on AO3: AO3 Comment Bots - Fanlore https://share.google/m9IhE4NEGMNgHjtWq

Here's a way to fight the bots by leaving positive comments, join the AO3 comment fest bingo:

I don't know if you allow this though. I haven't seen anyone bringing these scammers up.

I'm a member of the writing community here and I have noted an alarming number of new accounts claiming to be beta readers or even known Authors.

These people will often show up in the comments under posts giving out generic positive praises/trying to be your friend/ Asking others to send them a DM for their beta reading service, which is probably them just using ai or 'feedback' of the story they so-called have read and the text reads as if it's ai. So these individuals could be putting others stories into ChatGPT or Prowritingaid's Beta Reader program (Which I forgot the name of).

Here's an example of one I found in a post:

"This is beautifully introspective. The imagery is strong, especially the contrast between “empathy softening my edges” and “just bones with a heartbeat.” If anything, you could lean even deeper into that tension the parts of yourself that feel too much versus the version that feels nothing. But as it is, the voice is clear and the emotional core hits. Really well done."

________

The user names of these accounts would always ends (from what I see) with Beta, Reader, or Script. The profiles are either empty or some generic message that goes like:

"I am [name], a skilled book editor and beta reader. I provide clear, actionable feedback to enhance clarity, structure, pacing, and overall impact while keeping your voice intact. Share your draft anytime—I’ll help refine it." or

"Writers, your story deserves the best! I offer Beta Reading, Book Editing, and Cover Design to help your manuscript shine from first draft to final cover. Let’s turn your words into a book readers can’t put down"

If not then they may have something really similar like it.

Part 2 follow up of this anon can be found here.

Hello! Thank you for letting me know about this!

There is, unfortunately, a scam going around targeting authors on Ao3 that is similar to this, where bots will comment on fics and then after a long description of "what they liked" about the fic, they will say 'I feel inspired to draw something for it. lets talk on <website."

I feel that the accounts you mentioned are likely trying to do the same thing, get the users to contact them, and then try to offer 'services' of some kind.

The ones that offer "art" via comments, are the same scammers that are performing what is known as the "muse" scam.

the short end is- they try to get you to "commission" them, then they send you a fake check/order that, once you cash it- you get the money, but if you spend even $100 of- say- the $500 they sent you, once the check bounces, the bank takes $100 of your money to compensate for what you used.

They also usually have you send some sort of "shipping fee" to get the check, which obviously nobody should do.

The golden rule is: never give money, to get money.

And if someone wants you to download a program or go to a website you've never seen before to 'complete a deal' or 'download' something, it's best to report and block them as soon as possible.

Malicious data can infect PC's and phones via cookies, so getting your passwords stolen or worse- your bank info, is not something you want to happen. :(

I hope this helps and thank you for helping others!

Don't bother responding to @chromaticentitydragon if he requests a commission. Guy is just a scammer.

[last updated on Thu Jun 11]

They went on to claim that they “accidentally reported my account because someone pretended to be me and scammed them” which makes no sense. Cause they would have just reported the fake Riarichu account, and I would have been emailed. Watch out for @/brisklyweepingmechanism. They wanted me to contact some guy on discord, claiming he was discord support. Tumblr has no support on discord. This was likely an attempt to steal my account. Beware of these scams, guys.

I’ll contact tumblr just to make sure, however I am 99% sure this is a scam. But just as a precaution, this account and @riariichu are my only blogs that use this name or any variation this name. If ANYONE else is using my profile picture, with a similar username, messaging you about commissions and it’s not this account, do not continue the conversation and report them to me. Also; I do not have my commissions open right now. (As of Thursday, May 21st 2026) the only things I have open are:

Art trades

Art requests (send to inbox)

Free oc drawings (0/5 may slots taken)

KNOWN SCAM ACCOUNTS

@brisklyweepingmechanism (deactivated!!)