'bought' A Pirated Game

SycophantSycophant Join Date: 2002-11-05 Member: 7092Members
<div class="IPBDescription">What else can I do?</div> Remember how pleased I was a few weeks ago when I said I purchased a copy of Freelancer for 1/3rd the retail price? The reason it was so cheap is because the person I ended up buying from is selling burned copies of the game.

The transaction occurred through PayPal, so I've still got about two weeks to submit my transaction dispute. After the submission, they (PayPal) say it'll take up to 30 days to process the claim.

Honestly, I don't really care if I get my money back or if I get an actual copy of Freelancer from it. I simply want this guy to burn at the stake for selling me pirated software. Since PayPal requires a credit card verification, it shouldn't be too difficult for him to be tracked down by the authorities.

I'll admit though - I definetly should have checked into it more before paying for it. It was advertised as a copy of Freelancer with everything except the box, which sounded pretty clear to me. I would have had no use for the box, so I was okay with it. It turns out his version of "everything except the box" means that the manual and all included documents are simply on the CD instead. The shipment even included a nice printout of how to crack the game using the conveniently-provided crack file that he added to the CD.

I'm just waiting for his response to the email I sent him today about this situation, then I'll submit my claim if he's not accomodating.

In the meantime, is there anything I can do to dig up further evidence to help me in my claim? The package the game was shipped in didn't have a return address (obviously), and he never gave his name or address once. Worse yet, his email address is a hotmail addy.

I figure the best thing to do is put the claim through PayPal, as they'd have much more access to his info through the credit card verification than I'd have through Google. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
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Comments

  • Nemesis_ZeroNemesis_Zero Old European Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 75Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Constellation
    I'd suggest not taking the detour over PayPal and instead directely contacting the authorities. He can be charged for fraud and a whole staple of copyright infrigments, and <i>they will</i> find him.
  • StakhanovStakhanov Join Date: 2003-03-12 Member: 14448Members
    edited April 2003
    Bah , just kindly ask for a refund and if he doesn't want to then threaten to contact the authorities... I don't think this kind of action needs such a harsh punishment. Would you like your friends to be imprisonned for selling burned CDs at an extra low price ? Empty CDs aren't free either.

    However , if he seems to be shamelessly hosing people , ask for a negative price <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • Nemesis_ZeroNemesis_Zero Old European Join Date: 2002-01-25 Member: 75Members, Retired Developer, NS1 Playtester, Constellation
    Well, Syco contacted him already, so I guess the 'ask him friendly' stage is slowly running out <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • Spyder_MonkeySpyder_Monkey Vampire-Ninja-Monkey Join Date: 2002-01-24 Member: 8Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
    Friends selling burned copies of software to other friends is one thing, though still illegal. This joker is intending to turn a profit by selling the same thing to perhaps hundreds of people online. If I were Microsoft, I'd have his head. I agree with nem on this one... don't even bother going through paypal.
  • GWARGWAR Join Date: 2002-11-01 Member: 2297Members, Contributor
    Ill bet ya 5$ it was from sharereactor
  • DOOManiacDOOManiac Worst. Critic. Ever. Join Date: 2002-04-17 Member: 462Members, NS1 Playtester
    Warez monkeys downloading for free or trading amongst friends is one thing, but I think we can all agree that this here is wrong.

    Make sure you contact your credit card company too, usually they have something against fraud protection. And as everybody else said, go straight to the authorities. Don't give the guy a chance to rip off hundreds of other people...
  • SycophantSycophant Join Date: 2002-11-05 Member: 7092Members
    Well, so far I've got his real name, a traceable email address, and I've filed the dispute.

    I got the link for the purchase from an eBay auction, so I printed off the auction page, his feedback page, and all info I sent to and got from PayPal. His eBay feedback page is basically all complaints of him selling pirated software, and his eBay account is no longer active. I may contact the other people he's scammed to ask they provide additional information.

    Here's part of PayPal's dispute submission notification email -- "our investigation will be made on a best-effort basis and PayPal does not guarantee funds recovery" -- so yes, I'll still be filing a pirated software report with the authorities. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • Spyder_MonkeySpyder_Monkey Vampire-Ninja-Monkey Join Date: 2002-01-24 Member: 8Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor
    edited April 2003
    2 pts for the good guys.

    Don't forget to keep us informed of progress. <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • GWARGWAR Join Date: 2002-11-01 Member: 2297Members, Contributor
    edited April 2003
    <span style='color:white'><b>
    No, GWAR, warezing for your personal use is not "ok"... it's still illegal, no matter how you defend it.</span></b>
  • StakhanovStakhanov Join Date: 2003-03-12 Member: 14448Members
    edited April 2003
    <span style='color:white'>We're not taking a stance on this thing, but as of now, warezing is a criminal activity. Thus, we'd make ourselves guilty of promoting criminal activities by allowing warez talk in here. We prefer making games to being humped by big bad boys in jail.</span>
  • GWARGWAR Join Date: 2002-11-01 Member: 2297Members, Contributor
    <!--QuoteBegin--Stakhanov+Apr 7 2003, 07:16 PM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Stakhanov @ Apr 7 2003, 07:16 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> bleh@mods enforcing opinions. Was he posting warez links ? <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    Im not stupid enough to post warez links... well... almost... <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->

    i was only expressing my opinion, I didnt see why you had to edit it...
  • pardzhpardzh Join Date: 2002-10-25 Member: 1601Members
    Geez, I hear of people warezing stuff on irc and kazaa all the time, but this...

    Never even heard of someone that dumb.
  • TenSixTenSix Join Date: 2002-11-09 Member: 7932Members
    I don't have a problem with warez, but selling it is just double ripping off the company. Software pirating is in an entirely different boat, sorry but I don't have $15k to shell out so I can make a free website for a friend.

    Oddly though, every game I have warez (maybe 5?) completly sucked. In fact one of them was so bad, after spending a week looking for the ISO I deleted it the next day after 5 hours of playtime. I would have returned all of them had I actually purchased em. Sometimes though, its just fun to play crappy games, a good diversion.

    I used to buy games all the time then have to take them back, and the demos are ALWAYS just showing you the fancy stuff, not the real feel of the game.

    I do plan to purchase a few upcoming games. And even though I beleive software companies inflate their prices so that only elite companies can buy their software, I plan to soon get a job so I can afford some of my web design programs (darnit, why did I have to join the most expensive proffession...web design?).
  • GrendelGrendel All that is fear... Join Date: 2002-07-19 Member: 970Members, NS1 Playtester, Contributor, NS2 Playtester
    edited April 2003
    I'll tell you what Sycophant, on my status as PT Lead, I'll make you this deal. You bring me PROOF that you've reported this to Microsoft/F.A.S.T. and they are prosecuting him (and I mean proof, not some BS that you've made up because you REALLY, REALLY want to be a PT) and I'll do everything in my power to make you a playtester for the next alpha version of NS.

    If I play it, I buy it. Ask Fam, he can confirm that my house is wall to wall game boxes.
  • SycophantSycophant Join Date: 2002-11-05 Member: 7092Members
    <!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->I'll tell you what Sycophant, on my status as PT Lead, I'll make you this deal. You bring me PROOF that you've reported this to Microsoft/F.A.S.T. and they are prosecuting him and I'll do everything in my power to make you a playtester for the next alpha version of NS.<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    Pretty sweet deal, but I really don't even need any more incentive to have this guy buying a life's supply of soap-on-a-rope. If what I do is enough to make even a small difference, I'd be happy with that.
  • ThansalThansal The New Scum Join Date: 2002-08-22 Member: 1215Members, Constellation
    syco, just do it, if you don't we will all lynch you for passing up an opportunity like this <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->

    but yah, I aint exactly against warez (my rule is that If I honestly like something I WILL buy it, if I can find it)

    But this was just plain dumb, I hope yalls nail him <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->

    (and try for that PT SPOT!!! <!--emo&:p--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/tounge.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='tounge.gif'><!--endemo-->)
  • SycophantSycophant Join Date: 2002-11-05 Member: 7092Members
    I've been flexing my detective muscles for the better part of the afternoon, gathering some data on the situation and the seller.

    It turns out this guy has made about $600 CDN (~$400 US / 260 GBP) in the past month just from selling these pirated games to buyers in Canada, US, and the UK. He's had 60 eBay postings for pirated games in the past month, and 22 of them had bidders and were sold. Average selling price range was $20-25 US.

    He is or was enrolled at Seneca College in Toronto, doing a Computer Networking course, and I may have dug up a picture of him. Still no mailing address yet, but give me time. <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo-->

    So far, I've filed a dispute with PayPal and <a href='http://www.fast.org.uk/' target='_blank'>FAST</a>. There's a stack of printouts and scribblings on my desk in front of me, which I hope will come in handy sometime soon. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->

    Anyways, I'm just waiting for a response from either PayPal or FAST to let me know what they want me to do. I've got all my stuff ready to ship and/or email, should they request any of it.

    While I'm quite aware that it's a serious matter, this actually kinda fun. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • ThansalThansal The New Scum Join Date: 2002-08-22 Member: 1215Members, Constellation
    ofcourse it is fun!

    hehe, human's like revenge

    and when it comes in the form of new and novel experiances ALL THE BETTER <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->

    hey, your getting revenge on him, experiancing some new stuf, AND your coenciding with the law <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->

    btw, how did you find this stuff out? (getting some ones RN off of pay pal/ebay aint that simple as faw as I remember)

    and for amuzing sacke, type his name into: www.googlism.com (make sure you check the who is box) and see what you get)
  • SycophantSycophant Join Date: 2002-11-05 Member: 7092Members
    <!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->btw, how did you find this stuff out? (getting some ones RN off of pay pal/ebay aint that simple as faw as I remember)<!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    I got some valuable info when PayPal sent me their typical "<i>here's what you did on our site</i>" e-mail, which included a little bit of info about the person I'm dealing with. Most importantly, his real name and a somewhat more permanent e-mail address.

    From there, well..... searches in Google and eBay. It turns out he's not very well liked on eBay. <!--emo&:)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/smile.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='smile.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • ThansalThansal The New Scum Join Date: 2002-08-22 Member: 1215Members, Constellation
    wow, I sooo forgot about having to put in actual info in PayPal, he really is a twit for ussing that ;D
  • CForresterCForrester P0rk(h0p Join Date: 2002-10-05 Member: 1439Members, Constellation
    I, personally, have no problem with warez as long as someone isn't using warez to make a profit. If a game is by a large publisher, they won't lose much money anyway. If it's buy a small publisher, people should make every effort to buy the game and help the publisher and developers out. Also, I only buy games that are deemed worthy of my money. <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo--> NS, for example, is worth $70 CDN. Command & Conquer: Generals is worth at MOST $20 CDN.
  • pantspants Join Date: 2002-12-20 Member: 11188Members
    <!--QuoteBegin--Sycophant+Apr 8 2003, 03:01 AM--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> (Sycophant @ Apr 8 2003, 03:01 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Honestly, I don't really care if I get my money back or if I get an actual copy of Freelancer from it. I simply want this guy to burn at the stake for selling me pirated software. <!--QuoteEnd--> </td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'> <!--QuoteEEnd-->
    your an angry, angry man
  • TenSixTenSix Join Date: 2002-11-09 Member: 7932Members
    <!--QuoteBegin--></span><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td><b>QUOTE</b> </td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Command & Conquer: Generals is worth at MOST $20 CDN. <!--QuoteEnd--></td></tr></table><span class='postcolor'><!--QuoteEEnd-->

    <i><Canadian Joke></i>

    So thats what, $2 US?

    <i></Canadian Joke></i>

    Sorry, but its....so....hard...to...resist. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • CForresterCForrester P0rk(h0p Join Date: 2002-10-05 Member: 1439Members, Constellation
    /me grins

    S'alright, joke around all you want. I'm proud of my country. <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • That_Annoying_KidThat_Annoying_Kid Sire of Titles Join Date: 2003-03-01 Member: 14175Members, Constellation
    edited April 2003
    Pirating software is not cool, pirating and selling software over and over is definetly not cool, Syco...nail the **** <!--emo&::asrifle::--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/asrifle.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='asrifle.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • SycophantSycophant Join Date: 2002-11-05 Member: 7092Members
    I'm workin' on it. <!--emo&;)--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/wink.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='wink.gif'><!--endemo-->

    I'm just waiting to hear back from PayPal and/or FAST as to what I should do next. Until I get some response from either group, I've done all that I can on my own.
  • Smoke_NovaSmoke_Nova Join Date: 2002-11-15 Member: 8697Members
    Did you remember to contact MicroSoft and let them know that you have information about someone selling pirated versions of their software? After all, the MicroSoft knee-breaking team is quite fast!
  • DOOManiacDOOManiac Worst. Critic. Ever. Join Date: 2002-04-17 Member: 462Members, NS1 Playtester
    Good point, I forgot who was publishing Freelancer. They'll jump on that way quicker than any authorities will. :P
  • Marik_SteeleMarik_Steele To rule in hell... Join Date: 2002-11-20 Member: 9466Members
    Darn, what I'd give for a "Cops" or "Americas' Most Wanted" style cameraman to follow the MS PirateBuster squad as they bust into this guy's house or something. <!--emo&:D--><img src='http://www.unknownworlds.com/forums/html/emoticons/biggrin.gif' border='0' style='vertical-align:middle' alt='biggrin.gif'><!--endemo-->
  • tbZBeAsttbZBeAst Join Date: 2003-01-26 Member: 12755Members
    Whilst working at MS (oh the shame!) we were offered a bonus of £1000 if we could provide info about professional bootleggers. Although I passed on info on 3 (from customers complaints) I'm yet to see a penny.
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