USER PROFILE : https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=176810 & https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1208438
MERIT SUMMARY : https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=merit;u=1208438
PROOF : https://bt.irlbtc.com/view/2375142.msg24228465#msg24228465
MISCELLANEOUS : Seems like this account (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=176810) created this account (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=profile;u=1208438) because the 1st one got a lot of negative trust. He/she then spent all the free sMerit to the new account.

I initially made this thread: https://bt.irlbtc.com/view/5037439.0 and a member introduced me to this thread, so I repost it here.

I put below some examples of really high merit rewards for shitty posts...

50 merits for such a quality post!

100 merits for 2 posts:
50 for this

and another 50 for this
translation:

100 merits - 2x50 for this one:
translation:

8 merit for bounty report....

6 merit for bounty report:

6 merit for

1 merit

USER PROFILE : Username EastSound

PROOF: https://bt.irlbtc.com/view/4442368.msg39687040#msg39687040
MISCELLANEOUS: sent 13 merits to one post and not deserving post.

USER PROFILE : Reinsurer
MERIT SUMMARY : https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=merit;u=1171363
PROOF:


USER PROFILE : Crypto Insurance
MERIT SUMMARY : https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?action=merit;u=2491573
PROOF:


MISCELLANEOUS:

Interesting thread:
https://bt.irlbtc.com/view/5074430.msg48321386#msg48321386
https://archive.fo/eoPM8

Looks like merit is getting distributed for the shill sockpuppet accounts. All shilling the same products. No genuine accounts. (Check their post history)

I haven't seen any rule stating that this is a reason to receive a ban, but about negative feedback... I don't know... I suppose it's up to the DefaultTrust users to decide that.

That would be clear merit abuse and potentially account farming. In theory, if you have 100 smerits you could create 10 brand new accounts, write some posts and merit your own accounts with 10 merits each. And now you have cheated your way to the Member rank (when you acquire the needed Activity points). I don't mean you personally, it is just an example.

I can't imagine that selling Merit isn't against the rules. If someone tries to sell his Merits he will be red tagged by DT and I don't see a reason to exempt Merit sellers which are no Merit source from being tagged.

Just imagine if everyone have had sold his airdropped sMerits after the Merit system was introduced, the whole meaning of the Merit system would be undermined, that Merit has to be earned and not bought.

Not necessarily, there doesn't seem to be a merit requirement in the rules for this campaign. So there is no incentive or reason for members to abuse the merit system as they would get accepted either way.   

You need to be a senior member which is why I think there will be merit abuse.