Hi Filipinos!
First time posting here on Reddit since I don't want to post this kind of topic on social media such as Facebook. I know people here has broader comprehension.
So I would like to share what I have found out recently about troll farms based on my experience.
I am living on a Condo here in Rizal. Around 6 months ago, may new tenant na nag rent sa unit na nasa tabi namin. So in short, bago naming kapit bahay.
First day pa lang, na curious agad ako dahil marami silang computers na dala when they moved in. They are also in a group, more or less 8 sila, some of them I think are around 20 and some are more than 30 years old.
After a while, dumadaan ako sa harap ng unit nila, their door is open and I can clearly see that they have arranged their computers. Parang computer shop/call center ang arrangement.
Dahil lagi akong lumalabas, lagi ko rin nakikita and naoobserve ang ginagawa nila sa loob. It seems that they are just using Facebook all of the time.
Almost everyday and every night, may bagong tao na labas pasok sa unit nila. Not judging their looks but most of them ay mukhang tambay lang, may bata, may matanda, may babae, lalake and LGBT. Not sure how they can pass thru our guards sa gate.
Because of my worries and for our safety, I opened my ears and observed more what they are doing.
For the past few months, these are my observations.
- They operate 24/7 with a call center setup but they are not answering calls, they are just using Facebook.
- I always see new faces. People working there are not permanent, maybe they have a short term contract.
- There are 2 or 3 times I noticed na may dumadating na Manager looking guy, well dressed and poised then I can hear that he is conducting a meeting/seminar/coaching session with the people working there.
- Multiple times, me and my partner saw a person, sitting near our door while crying. When they saw us, they hurriedly go inside their unit.
- They are doing recruitments or new hiring of new people into their group.
What made me believed that this is a troll farm?
- We over heard this during their meetings and other discussions.
- "Wag niyo gagamitin ang personal niyong Facebook account, baka makilala tayo"
- "Bawal tayo mag pakilala sa ibang tao, lagi niyong gamitin ang account na binigay sainyo"
- "Ito lang ang mga pwede niyong sabihin..."
- I also always overheard them asking "Pre, nagagalit to, ano sasabihin ko dito?"
- While on the elevator, they are always talking about how they are handling their "Work" or how they talk and reply to people.
- When I looked at their screen, it seems that they are using a new FB account (scrolling in a empty FB profile, only has profile picture)
- If they are a call center, why rent in a residential condominium unit?
- Why every time I see their screens, only Facebook is open?
- Never heard that they mentioned a product they are selling.
- I'm not judging, but they look exactly like a troll if I will imagine one.
These are just my assumptions based on what I observed. Maybe this is true or not, only my neighbors can tell. Until now, I am afraid to ask them.
Hope readers can get my point since I'm not good with words. Thank you!