A friend recently forwarded me a buzzfeed-style listicle featuring several of my photos, asking if I'd given permission for them. I had not, and began digging a bit deeper.

As it turns out, the article in question was written by a UER Full Member by the handle of AdventureCrime. He's been using his access to the UER Database to post locations in his articles that only someone with FM access could see. Information he posts includes names, coordinates, and photos stolen from the UER Database without credit or permission. In the article linked above, 13/17 of the locations listed are on the UER Database, and 10/17 of the locations are FM-only entries. Furthermore, several of the photos he uses are ripped right from the Database. He has written 43 similar articles, and while I haven't gone through them all I'd bet that the one I linked isn't the only one he's posted FM access-only locations in.

For proof that AdventureCrime runs urbexunderground.com, just check his signature. Additionally, he posted this UER thread, which contains a link to his Facebook profile, which in turn contains a link to urbexunderground.com.

I think it's pretty safe to say that publicly posting information given in trust online is a pretty scummy abuse of the UER Database and FM system, and I thought everyone on UER should be aware of what he's doing.

Perhaps all you who have had your photos used without permission should send him some invoices!

Thanks for the heads up. I'll alert the other mods.

Hey, there's a section in the site where you can upload your own sites!

Given that AdventureCrime has taken his website url out of his signature and made his Facebook private, I figured I'd give one more piece of evidence that he can't erase. When posting the link to urbexunderground.com to Discord, the preview that pops up has his name in it.

Nice sleuthing, Aran!

ban this piece of shit and all his other profiles if he has any

get this guy outta here, obviously knows what he did wrong if he took the website out of his signature!

The mods have been discussing this issue amongst themselves and Av has sent AdventureCrime a PM asking him to explain himself. We're all eagerly awaiting a response.

The "disassociating accounts" business he's been up to recently seems tantamount to an admission of guilt to me. I for one figure this kind of abuse of the LDB is ban-worthy. But that's just my opinion. It remains to be seen what Av and the other mods have to say.

Thanks again for bringing this to our attention, Aran. I'll keep you guys posted.

Av received no response to his PM because Adventure Crime has not logged into this site since June 12th (that was before Av sent his PM).

Adventure Crime's FM has been revoked indefinitely. I hope that makes those of you that contribute to the LDB feel a little better. On behalf of the administration of this site I apologize to those members whose pics were pilfered uncredited. What a douche move that guy pulled.

Here's hoping that's the end of this sordid little episode. And thanks again to Aran for bringing this to our attention.

I wonder if he made any profit with all of the articles he posted with stolen valor

Not at all surprising and I bet this happens to some degree more frequently than many suspect. Given the amount of FM's, you might as well consider the location database public knowledge at this point.

What's extra hilarious is that at least one of the pictures he uses for one of MN's locations isn't even for the right site. Instead, it's some random mall out in North Carolina XD.

Plus there's this gem of hypocrisy

"Keep Locations Private

This is a big urbex rule. With the rising popularity of urban exploring, historical and preserved places are now more vulnerable to vandalism and arson than ever before.

Carelessly sharing locations, especially online or to strangers increases the likelihood that the place will get completely gutted, or burned down. Not only is a piece of history lost, but now no one can explore it.

I remember when a set of abandoned passenger train cars were relatively unknown. Soon their location was leaked online and a few months later they were covered completely in graffiti. This destroyed the natural beauty of the trains. Luckily I was able to see them before this happened, but it’s still ruined the experience for anyone else.

When a location is posted online more people tend to get injured, or caught by police there. This puts the property owner or city on notice to increase security and police presence. All of this publicity makes it harder to actually explore, photograph, and enjoy."

Pitchforks!! (sand people shriek*)