Topic on Project:Support desk

Technically valid with disclosure information

A friend of mine received this email. I suspect this might be common but cannot be sanctioned by wikipedia. Do people doing this get blocked from writing entries?

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From: Saad Akhtar <[]>

Date: Fri, 3 Jul 2020 at 19:00

Subject: You Should Have a Wikipedia Page

To: [] <[]>

Hello Professor Valencia,

My name is Saad Akhtar. I am a freelance writer and I write Wikipedia pages for individuals and companies. I looked you up and you are not on Wikipedia! Would you like to have a Wikipedia page? If yes, then I can help you. Having written Wikipedia pages for over 400 individuals, I can write an excellent page for you. For your safety and assurance, there will be NO upfront payment required. You only have to pay AFTER the work is complete and you are happy with it.

Academics who have accomplished much less have Wikipedia pages because they have got them made. It's time you get one too. Just send me a message and I will forward you the cost and time frame details for writing your Wikipedia page.

Best,

Saad Akhtar

hi, see w:Wikipedia:Paid-contribution disclosure for the rules around this. Basically its frowned upon, but if the person fully discloses they are being paid (so other people can check on them), and writes neutrally/follows other rules, it is grudgingly allowed.

People who offer such services are acting on their own, and don't represent Wikipedia in any way.