In the FiveM community, Fake Players (often called "ghost players" or "spoofed players") refer to the practice of using scripts or external services to artificially inflate a server's player count on the public server list.
While it is a common tactic used by server owners to appear more popular, it is a controversial and risky practice within the ecosystem. What are Fake Players?
Fake players are simulated client connections that trick the FiveM master list into thinking there are more active users on a server than there actually are.
To move a server higher up the "Player Count" sort filter, making it more visible to new players. The Mechanism:
Most "spoofers" work by sending heartbeats to the Cfx.re master list or using "headless" clients (scripts that run without a game interface) to take up slots in the server's session. Common Methods of Implementation Spoofing Scripts:
Local resources installed on the server that tell the API a specific number of players are connected, regardless of actual activity. External Spoofing Services: Fake Players Fivem
Third-party websites or "bots" where owners pay a monthly fee to have a consistent number of fake slots filled on the server list. Headless Clients:
Using automated instances of the game that join the server but do not interact with the world, often sitting in a "limbo" state to consume slots. The Risks and Consequences Using fake players is a violation of the Cfx.re Terms of Service
. The platform has become increasingly sophisticated at detecting these methods. Server Blacklisting:
If caught, the server's IP and ID are permanently blacklisted from the master list, meaning players can only join via direct IP. Loss of Platinum/Patreon Benefits:
Servers paying for Boosts or higher EUP slots lose these privileges instantly upon a ban. Community Reputation: In the FiveM community, Fake Players (often called
Players can usually tell when a server is spoofed (e.g., the list says 100/128, but the map and chat are dead). This often leads to negative reviews and a "dead server" reputation. How to Identify Fake Player Servers
As a player, you can often spot "spoofed" servers by looking for these red flags: Empty World:
A server claiming 60+ players but having an empty Legion Square or no active radio/chat traffic. The "Player List" Trick:
or checking the player list reveals generic names (e.g., "Player 1," "User 55") or names that don't match the Steam/Discord profiles of the actual community. Missing Steam IDs:
Genuine players almost always have an associated Steam or Discord identifier; fake players often show as "anonymous" or have no identifiers in the server logs. Ethical Alternatives for Growth If a client remains in the "connecting" or
Instead of spoofing, successful server owners typically focus on: Server Boosts:
Using the official Patreon system to increase visibility legally. Consistent Events: Scheduling "Fly-in" nights to ensure a high player count at specific times. Active Staffing:
A server with 10 real, active, and engaging players often grows faster than one with 100 fake ones, as the quality of interaction keeps people coming back. Cfx.re uses or how to report a spoofed server
At first glance, using bots seems dishonest. But many server owners argue it is a necessity. This is known as the Seeding Paradox.
Implement a server-side script that monitors player state.
A malicious server owner used fake players to map the IP addresses of everyone who connected. They then launched DDOS attacks on rival servers, disguising the attack origin as "regular players."
Always disclose automated players to users when they affect gameplay or economy to preserve trust.