log-in using VPN blocked?

[HK_Katherine]

Just opened up the site as normal and couldn't log in. Got a message saying "this IP address or location is blocked" (or similar). I realised I was still connected to a VPN and trying to looking like I was in London... but I can't figure out why that would be a problem! I use a VPN when I am in China for obvious reasons.... I opened a support ticket but then thought others might be just as interested in the answer so I've disconnected from the VPN and typed this....

[shri]

A number of VPNs are used by scammers / spammers to bypass some internal checks we have in bits and pieces of the site.

Overseas scammers will fake out IP addresses and post obviously cheaper than market rate ads for apartments, or respond to people selling stuff saying (I'll send my pick up agent and send you a payment by western union etc).

Saves us time having to weed through classifieds and saves unsuspecting classifieds users from all sorts of clowns.