Wikipedia:Sockpuppet investigations/SPI/Guide to filing cases

Sockpuppet investigations (SPI) is the investigation and resolution of allegations of sock puppetry (editor abuse of multiple Wikipedia accounts). If you believe there is good evidence from Wikipedia edits that an individual is using multiple accounts or IPs to violate our policy on sock-puppetry to abuse or manipulate editor discussions or processes on Wikipedia, or to evade blocks or bans, this is the right place to file an investigation. Administrators and others with experience in dealing with sock-puppetry will determine from the evidence whether to take administrative action.

An investigation will only take place if your evidence clearly shows, from suspicious Wikipedia edits and/or log entries, that two or more accounts (or different IP editors) seem likely to have the same operator and to be breaching our sock-puppetry policy.

Wikipedia’s CheckUser team also watches these pages. CheckUsers are Wikipedia editors who are highly experienced and trusted at investigating sock puppetry cases. Their access to the "Checkuser" tool may provide additional technical evidence in some cases. A request for CheckUser may be helpful when abuse is likely but the visible public evidence alone is insufficient to show the underlying situation clearly. Checkuser has strict usage and privacy policies. The CheckUser tool will be used only if a CheckUser believes there is evidence of likely sock abuse and also good reason why Checkuser is needed to resolve the matter. Requests for CheckUser attention without both of these will be declined.