The fake 1500s

I think you should interview [@]noflaps for this lol

I'll not be meeting this hippo enjoyer as I no longer frequent the shark infested casual pool!

Might be a fake 1500

It is simple: Rated games must be played with a real effort to win, see the chapter "Fair Play Violations" at
https://lichess.org/terms-of-service
[.]
For training unrated games may provide benefits in certain circumstances.
Some fair play violations are very possible even in unrated games, but especially sandbagging is impossible in unrated games:

"Sandbagging - This is where a rating is artificially deflated, such as by resigning early, losing or drawing having put no real effort into the game, against an opponent who may be an active and willing participant or a victim."

So if I want to play a weird meme / joke opening that needs not be rated on my records (for example for external tools that list meme openings that a Lichess account ever played) then the easy solution will be to play unrated.

Conclusion:

1. Playing unrated is never sandbagging.
2. Playing unrated is the most simple way to avoid sandbagging.
3. All the skills that were gained in unrated play MUST be used to win when playing rated.

So when all training is done in casual games and rating changes only by playing without trying to train at the same time (rated tournaments or rated free challenges) all of this is perfectly desirable behaviour.

"Who wants to be destroyed by someone who refuses to play their equals and constantly look for lesser opponents"

I would, and quite often do. I'd be honored that someone of greater skill would want to play with me. I'd perceive that this would be an experience beneficial to my chess knowledge and skill. I'd definitely not whine about it and call them "fake".

@IamNOTamod said ^

"Who wants to be destroyed by someone who refuses to play their equals and constantly look for lesser opponents"

I would, and quite often do. I'd be honored that someone of greater skill would want to play with me. I'd perceive that this would be an experience beneficial to my chess knowledge and skill. I'd definitely not whine about it and call them "fake".

If you want to play higher rated players, you can always set the ratings filters to the appropriate levels.

The 'fake' thing is not the person, it's the rating. If you play hundreds, even thousands, of games over the course of a number of years, not one of them rated, then your 1500 rating is fake. It is not a reflection of your ability. The ratings filters exist for a reason.

If you want to play higher rated opponents, fine. However, if you want to play opponents of your ability, this behaviour is frustrating.

In any case, this is no longer a concern to me as I've joined the exodus from the Casual pool!