ALERT: Fraud and Thief

There is a FRAUD and a THIEF
Apparently from Nigeria
Who plagiarizes all day long
He steals poetry for pleasure
And post on internet
Under his own name
His favorite source is
POETRYSOUP.COM
And who could blame him
We are the best cauldron
Of international poets
On the planet.

He goes by the name of ETTAH AUSTINE
And has no integrity, in his profile says:
"As a writer & a creator,
I'm giving you my experiences. 
But just take what I give you. 
You ain't got to pry beyond that."
The audacity… he’s basically admitting
That he’s stealing and not to ask questions !

ETTAH AUSTINE is a disgrace to POWER POETRY
He even has the gall to post a Leanne Rimes song!!!
They say the  greatest form of flattery is theft of a poem
Or is it that the lowest shameless form
Of an excuse for a human being is a thief
We say get this ETTAH AUSTINE off the internet

If you resent having your poetry stolen
They’d love to hear it at
[email protected]



COLLABORATION FROM POETRYSOUP.COM POETS
Copyright © | Year Posted 2019

Poem

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Jeavons Avatar
April 3, 2023 at 2:44 PM
Line, could you provide a link to show any poems that are stolen please? Thank you.
Harper Avatar
October 4, 2019 at 9:09 PM
Thank you for the warning poem, Line
Gauthier Avatar
October 4, 2019 at 10:06 PM
Thanks for your visit and comment, Sheri.
Laurie Avatar
August 20, 2019 at 11:02 PM
G'day Line … does this clown think that there is a fortune waiting in poetry. It's heartbreaking for the writer to know that their inner thoughts are stolen without a care. I still can't figure out what this bloke expects to get out of stealing poems - thanks Line for helping to expose him - Lindsay
Gauthier Avatar
August 21, 2019 at 8:36 AM
A strange bird indeed.
Fraser Avatar
August 20, 2019 at 3:33 PM
Sadly, there's someone always going to do such :(
Gauthier Avatar
August 20, 2019 at 8:29 PM
What a world we live in!
Mcguire Avatar
August 19, 2019 at 10:04 PM
Thank you as always Miss Line for helping us. I am proud of you.
Gauthier Avatar
August 19, 2019 at 10:08 PM
The real heroes are the ones who found him and got the ball rolling on our behalf. Bravo !
Allison Avatar
August 19, 2019 at 1:23 PM
I am so pleased poetry power finally took notice, it's happened on soup too one bloke posted over 400 poems and had another account who was also plagerising, ha e also seen Robert frost posted by another poet, quite shameful isn't it, I know my poop is written by me , although i have found some elsewhere on the web on all poetry lol:-) Hugs Jan xx and
Gauthier Avatar
August 19, 2019 at 6:54 PM
Infuriating for sure.
Krutsinger Avatar
August 19, 2019 at 6:24 AM
I was laughing my head off, thinking this was a wonderfully fictitious character, Line. Then I read Rhona's comment. This is truly less than hilarious now. Thank you for bringing him to OUR attention. Now I wonder if he is on the other poetry site I use under an assumed name?
Gauthier Avatar
August 19, 2019 at 10:11 AM
Indeed Caren, this wise character should be dealt with severely. What do people really have to gain from stealing poetry!!?
Mcferran Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 8:17 PM
Just now got the Soupmail & saw this... but see the problem has been resolved. A heartfelt THANK YOU to Line, and all the other Super-Soupers, who acted so quickly to protect all our hard work!! *hats off* <3
Gauthier Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 11:26 PM
Thanks, Rhona. It was a team effort. Thank goodness we have proactive members who look after us.
Ashley Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 8:15 PM
Thank you, Line, your potent poem has spoken eloquently and with elegance on behalf of the poets/poetesses here on Poetry Soup. This plagiarist engages in a shameful practice that needs to be called out loudly and clearly. Thank you for your excellent and powerful public exposure of this FRAUD AND THIEF and his subsequent banning and account deletion from his poetry site. Also, a special thank you, to Daniel Turner as well, who broke the story of this fraudster with his blog ‘Thief’. ~Susan
Gauthier Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 8:29 PM
Thank goodness we have proactive members who are on the ball to protect us. Most appreciated.
Nicole Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 7:51 PM
The sad thing is, he isn't the only one doing this. There are many out there like him. For poets like us, writing from the heart, we rejoice when they are caught. Those placing their names on our words. It isn't a form of flattery to take something that isn't yours. It's Stealing!! Plain and Simple. So beautifully written and presented my dear friend. ~ Brandy
Gauthier Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 8:32 PM
Thank you so much for your vigilance and quick proactive action to bring this to a quick conclusion. Most appreciated.
Michael Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 6:54 PM
Well done Line...
Gauthier Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 8:30 PM
Thanks, Arturo.
Bauer Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 6:08 PM
thank you, line, for having the gumption to write about this and name the culprit! how low can someone go? apparently, pretty low, indeed! shame on him!!!
Gauthier Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 8:30 PM
It was a team effort but mostly the action of alert members who have our back. Much appreciated.
Labyrinth Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 4:58 PM
Surely the Copyright Publication laws should be delivered to this gentleman via Poetry Soup IP Legal representation? Thanks Line.
Gauthier Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 5:37 PM
Love where this is going... wish it was that easy.
Mcgee Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 3:37 PM
Thanks for letting us know...a poet robber of the lowest kind...what a jerk.
Gauthier Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 5:37 PM
You said it, Jeanne!
Lamoureux Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 2:04 PM
He was stealing a few years ago and it seems he is now back at it again.
Gauthier Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 3:05 PM
Under the same name?!!
Marcum Wong Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 1:21 PM
Thank you for exposing this low life thief Line. I found a poem there I know is Daniel Turner's and let him know about it. He also has my poem 'Under the Stars' posted there. We all need to be aware and fight to get this thief removed. I can't believe he even has his picture on every page. How blatant can you get! Thank you for your poem and for naming him. xxoo
Gauthier Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 3:07 PM
Thankfully he's been banned from that site now. We'll be waiting if he resurfaces.
Sietesantos Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 1:11 PM
This is utterly despicable! It's happened to me before and I am so fed-up! ETTAH AUSTINE is a little piece of garbage, no-name, low-life, with no talent, that is using our work to make a name for himself online, Instagram, Twitter, etc. There are far too many scammers/catfishers, pirates etc. online. This is so crazy! Thank you, Line, I really appreciate you getting the word out and I will do whatever I can for the cause! Hugs. Pandita.
Gauthier Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 3:08 PM
Thanks, Pandita. He's obviously out to make a quick buck. LOL
Cunningham Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 12:26 PM
I've heard of this happening to poets on here where their work has been stolen and put on other sites. Sad really that individuals' have to resort to doing that . They must be of low intellect and have low esteem. Tom
Gauthier Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 12:30 PM
Perfect description, Tom. Obviously lower intellect and ethical standards.
Callus Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 12:19 PM
Thank you, Line, for letting me know of what has been going on. Plagiarism is a terrible thing, and although it has happened to me several times, the shock of finding new cases is as bad as ever. Shame on him!!! ~ Regards // paul
Gauthier Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 12:31 PM
Thanks, Paul.
Adams Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 11:36 AM
wow, this is horrible...makes you wonder where all he is sharing it and how many others are out there stealing poems :(
Gauthier Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 12:06 PM
Indeed - how many others!?
Pigeon Tart Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 11:25 AM
Balls to the wall! Telling it like it is. <3
Gauthier Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 12:13 PM
Unbelievable!
Andresen Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 11:14 AM
- Line, I read this poem on "POWER POETRY" 5 minutes ago ... excellent written - Thank you very much - hugs // Anne-Lise :)
Gauthier Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 12:13 PM
I hope they keep it posted there for posterity!
La France Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 10:01 AM
Line, a great poem and thanks for your efforts to try to stop this guy, sadly he will probably just change his name and continue on, it makes me sick| I have had my poems used for schools as learning tools and such, but at least those people asked permission which I gladly gave.
Gauthier Avatar
August 18, 2019 at 12:15 PM
Yes indeed, that is a huge difference.
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