i thought new users having to wait was for their first few posts to be moderated, so why do they always get through?

Good question.

He joined on Tue Dec 31, 2019 2:33 am and posted 3 minutes later.

So, either there's 1) no moderation in place, or 2) there's a bug in phpBB, or 3) he has admin access of some sort.

I'm guessing #1 or #2.

LOOPYLOOP wrote: ↑Tue Dec 31, 2019 3:15 pm i thought new users having to wait was for their first few posts to be moderated, so why do they always get through?

Interesting if the spammer can get around the initial posting rules. They are clearly in action, as most people do a double or triple first post thinking it didn't get posted the first time.

It may be a paid post...I run some message boards and get these offers all the time. I always turn them down, but maybe that's what this is.