Game-News: Virtual Crime Leads to Real-Life Arrests

[arniejolt]

I doubt the arraignment and trial will happen in a virtual courtroom...from The Escapist (http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/78981-Dutch-Teenager-Arrested-for-Virtual-Property-Theft)

A Dutch youth has been arrested for stealing virtual furniture in Habbo Hotel, a virtual community aimed at teenagers and young adults.

The 17-year-old was accused of stealing over $5800 of virtual property after Sulake, the company behind Habbo Hotel, contacted police with the complaint. Five 15-year-olds have also been questioned in connection with the incident. The six teenagers are suspected of moving the stolen furniture into their own Habbo Hotel rooms.

"The accused lured victims into handing over their Habbo passwords by creating fake Habbo websites," a Sulake spokesman said. "In Habbo, as in many other virtual worlds, scamming for other people's personal information such as user names has been problematic for quite awhile. We have had much of this scamming going on in many countries but this is the first case where the police have taken legal action."

The spokesman said the growing number of sites that imitate Habbo Hotel in order to steal users' login details led to the company's involvement, and that the police were brought in because real-world currency was involved. "It is a theft because the furniture is paid for with real money," the spokesman said, adding, "The only way to be a thief in Habbo is to get people's user names and passwords and then log in and take the furniture."

First launched in Finland in 2000, Habbo Hotel has since expanded to over 30 countries, and now boasts over six million unique users worldwide.


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[SmokaCola]

Being early in the morning (4 AM) I thought that said the hobbo hotel and I was like... wtf lol

[Nitz13]

So what he stole some online furniture?? now they're arresting him?
geez whats next they gonna arrest people for hacking gaming accounts too?

This is stupid, sure its an inconvenience to whomever the virtual furniture was stolen from, but Come on theres murders and Gang wars, Drug Dealers and the such everywhere, and all these guys can focus on is Fricking Virtual Furniture?!?!?!? Sad Really.....

[Smidget]

They're ARE more major crimes going on but it doesn't mean law enforcement should just dismiss minor crimes. If they did, what precedent would that set? A crime is a crime is a crime and those responsible should be punished. If real money wasn't involved then it wouldn't be an issue but they were [essentially] stealing peoples possesions that had been purchased with real money. It of course seems silly under the circumstances but it is still theft of purchased goods. Sulake has to do all they can to protect their customers.

Having said that, its really up to people to ensure they stay safe online. The Habbo site clearly states in much detail what to watch out for and steps to take to ensure your information stays secure. They really don't have to take the time to prosecute individuals running phishing scams and things of the such having warned their users and provided such information but unfortunately all people using services like this are not web-savvy and are often times gullable. These people need protection. I know immediately when I receive a fake PayPal email or eBay email; its obvious to me. But to others, its not.

Also, the law enforcement involved weren't "focusing" on anything. They didn't know or care anything about this until Sulake brought it to their attention and said "we want these people arrested." It IS Sulake's job to focus on protecting their customers, which is what they are doing. Police can't just say "nah, there are gang wars and things going on so we're not gonna worry about this." Real people are being theived of purchased property - that is a crime.

Of course this can go into a bajillion other types of debates but in the aspect of dismissing this as something thats" sad really"... you shouldn't. Its easy to get away with it but when we have the opportunity to catch individuals like these, they should be prosecuted. I don't want them getting better at what they do, taking it to the "next level" as they grow in their theiving skills and ****ing me over in the future. Internet crime happens on a daily basis and is something we cannot afford to dismiss.

[arniejolt]

Hmn, might as well chime in again and try to bring this down to terms we silly Americans can understand...
Yes, it's stealing virtual items, however it's HOW the thieves did it as quoted by a representative:

"The accused lured victims into handing over their Habbo passwords by creating fake Habbo websites," a Sulake spokesman said.

Sound familiar? Does sound like Phishing and Identity Theft.

Knowing your virtual stuff's been stolen's one thing, knowing that the thief also has your password and access to your account vitals...like your credit card and bank account... that's another.


-----
The Metal: Unabridged Version

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New Wave: Sank into Swamp
Grunge: Caught Fire, Fell Over, Sank into Swamp
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[Smidget]

not just "how" though:

"It is a theft because the furniture is paid for with real money," the spokesman said

It only becomes identity theft when they use your information. Having access to it doesn't matter unless they act upon having the information. Maybe "attempted" identity theft or something, idk if that law exists. But the report says nothing of them doing anything besides stealing the e-furniture and using a phishing site to acquire login information.

[Bakkster]

"It is a theft because the furniture is paid for with real money," the spokesman said

Exactly, this is an easy case study. The kids used illegal methods to take items paid for with real money. The only reason anyone cares is that the whole thing happened in a virtual space, and the media has a boner for video games right now.

[Rev0lver]

phishing shouldn't be a crime. being phished should be. its all human stupidity.

[Nitz13]

phishing shouldn't be a crime. being phished should be. its all human stupidity.

QFT

Didn't realize all the Virtual Furniture had been paid for with real money, thought it was just like any other game where you get some form of in game income.

But still if your stupid enough to fall for these tricks its your own fault...

[Eastwood]

How much for the Belt of Ears? I'll pay you 10 for it...:rolleyes:

(Diablo Humor)

[Bakkster]

But still if your stupid enough to fall for these tricks its your own fault...

As little sympathy as I have for the victims, I still think it's illegal to cheat the system and steal something that costs money.

[Nitz13]

How much for the Belt of Ears? I'll pay you 10 for it...:rolleyes:

(Diablo Humor)

haha I totally Remember that. I do agree its wrong to be "Phishing"

honestly and this is just me I don't use the websites where you have to pay for in game stuff with real money. your just asking to have something go wrong