vRRitti.com, providing sentiency

New Zealand police sent 76 officers, some armed, to raid the property which reportedly housed 15 individuals including bodyguards, security staff, women and children.

“Police arrived in two marked police helicopters. Despite our staff clearly identifying themselves, Mr Dotcom retreated into the house and activated a number of electronic locking mechanisms,” Detective Inspector Grant Wormald told the court.

More:
http://torrentfreak.com/megaupload-founder-denied-bail-at-extradition-hearing-120120/

Dutch language news article:
http://www.parool.nl/parool/nl/38/MEDIA/article/detail/3131004/2012/01/20/Fiod-neemt-60-servers-van-Megaupload-in-beslag.dhtml

Previously:
http://vrritti.com/?s=leaseweb

‘It was a customer that was never a burden to us’

MegaUpload was a big customer at Leaseweb. They leased 630 servers, 60 of which have now been shut down. Leaseweb was raking in millions thanks to this single customer

Dutch language news articles:
http://webwereld.nl/nieuws/109260/megaupload-megaklant-bij-leaseweb-.html

http://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2012/01/20/nederlandse-hoster-verdiende-miljoenen-aan-megaupload/

Previously:

Leaseweb’s Alex de Joode provides additional details about AnonOps takedown in relation to pro-WikiLeaks attacks

Alex de Joode aka Usura is well known and oftentimes associated with the vox.hacktic.nl anonymousremailer, the utopia.hacktic.nl bulletin board and the Cypherpunk community discussed previously and appears a couple of times in John Young’s (Cryptome.org) Cypherpunk list (Google Cache)* while e-mailing from the famous anonymous remailer domain replay.com, and the sabotage.org (Societé Anonyme BOTAGE) domain. He has traditionally been associated with crypto repository zedz.net and the dizum anonymous remailer.

In the past he has single-handedly shut down a complaint center for online child abuse images, arguing that the staff of the center didn’t adhere to proper procedures nor the bylaws of the organization.

His favorite tagline appears to be:  “Sed quis custodiet ipsos Custodes?” – Juvenal, Satires, VI, 347,“Who Watches The Watchmen?”

More technical information: http://www.iusmentis.com/technology/remailers/index-cpunk.html

*=since this information has been removed from Cryptome and Google’s cache – and information wants to be free or something like that – the full list has been copied here for your convenience: http://vrritti.com/2010/12/11/leasewebs-alex-de-joode-provides-adittional-details-about-anonops-takedown-in-relation-to-pro-wikileaks-attacks/

and:
http://vrritti.com/?s=alex+de+joode

Hosting and datacenter management firm LeaseWeb from Haarlem in the Netherlands has moved 60 servers off-line, used by the MegaUpload Download site. This was on instruction by the FIOD, the Dutch Fiscal Intelligence and Law Enforcement unit of the Dutch Tax department

http://www.gnsec.com/modules/d3pipes/index.php?page=clipping&clipping_id=63370

http://www.monstersandcritics.com/tech/news/article_1686526.php/BACKGROUND-Megaupload-s-Hong-Kong-connection

http://torrentfreak.com/megaupload-what-made-it-a-rogue-site-worthy-of-destruction-120120/

http://news.cnet.com/8301-31001_3-57362609-261/megaupload-assembles-worldwide-criminal-defense/

http://www.streetinsider.com/Trader+Talk/Cogent+Communication+(CCOI)+Sinks+As+Client+Megaupload+Shut+Down/7096348.html

http://www.rte.ie/news/2012/0120/megaupload.html

http://www.rap-up.com/2012/01/20/diddy-busta-rhymes-tweet-support-for-swizz-beatz-after-megaupload-shutdown/

Europe’s Commissioner Kroes in charge of the digital agenda has asked the public what it thinks about the shutdown of file-sharing site Megaupload by U.S. authorities

Posting on Twitter on Friday, Neelie Kroes directed readers to post their opinions on the European Commission’s digital agenda Facebook page.

Most respondents were outraged at the U.S. Justice Department’s actions. The main concern is that U.S. authorities had overstepped their jurisdiction. The website’s co-founders were arrested in New Zealand and the site is based in Hong Kong. On www.facebook.com/DigitalAgenda, commentators were critical of the music and entertainment industry, saying that it is attempted to prevent the free flow of information.

http://www.networkworld.com/news/2012/012012-eu-digital-commissioner-asks-for-255132.html

See also:

EU Internet czar tweets against SOPA
http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-news-technology/eu-internet-czar-tweets-against-sopa-20120121-1qasc.html

http://news.msn.co.nz/nationalnews/8406533/dotcom-barricaded-himself-in-mansion

http://www.kuna.net.kw/ArticleDetails.aspx?id=2216004&language=en

http://torrentfreak.com/megaupload-shut-down-120119/

What’s really eye-opening about this indictment is the property that the Feds have seized from the defendants. It lists a number of bank accounts, PayPal accounts, 15 Mercedes-Benz vehicles, a Rolls-Royce with the license plate “GOD,” a rare Lamborghini and a Maserati. It seems the defendants had a number of vehicles with creative license plates including “HACKER,” “POLICE,” “STONED,” “GOOD,” “CEO,” and the ominous “GUILTY.”

Here’s the full list of seized goods, not counting bank accounts:

• 2010 Maserati GranCabrio, VIN ZAMKM45B000051328, License Plate No. “M-FB 212” or “DH-GC 470”, registered to FINN BATATO;
• 2009 Mercedes-Benz E500 Coupe, VIN WDD20737225019582, License Plate No. “FEG690”;
• 2005 Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM, VIN WDB2093422F165517, License Plate No. “GOOD”;
• 2004 Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM AMG 5.5L Kompressor, VIN WDB2093422F166073, License Plate No. “EVIL”;
• 2010 Mercedes-Benz S65 AMG L, VIN WDD2211792A324354, License Plate No. “CEO”;
• 2008 Rolls-Royce Phantom Drop Head Coupe, VIN SCA2D68096UH07049; License Plate No. “GOD”;
• 2010 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, VIN WDD2120772A103834, License Plate No. “STONED”;
• 2010 Mini Cooper S Coupe, VIN WMWZG32000TZ03651, License Plate No. “V”;
• 2010 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG, VIN WDC1641772A608055, License Plate No. “GUILTY”;
• 2007 Mercedes-Benz CL65 AMG, VIN WDD2163792A025130, License Plate No. “KIMCOM”;
• 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG, VIN WDC1641772A542449, License Plate No. “MAFIA”;
• 2010 Toyota Vellfire, VIN 7AT0H65MX11041670, License Plate Nos. “WOW” or “7”;
• 2011 Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG, VIN WDB4632702X193395, License Plate Nos. “POLICE” or “GDS672”;
• 2011 Toyota Hilux, VIN MR0FZ29G001599926, License Plate No. “FSN455”;
• Harley Davidson Motorcycle, VIN 1HD1HPH3XBC803936, License Plate No. “36YED”;
• 2010 Mercedes-Benz CL63 AMG, VIN WDD2163742A026653, License Plate No. “HACKER”;
• 2005 Mercedes-Benz A170, VIN WDD1690322J184595, License Plate No. “FUR252”;
• 2005 Mercedes-Benz ML500, VIN WDC1641752A026107, License Plate No. DFF816;
• Fiberglass sculpture, imported from the United Kingdom with Entry No. 83023712;
• 1957 Cadillac El Dorado, VIN 5770137596;
• 2010 Sea-Doo GTX Jet Ski, VIN YDV03103E010;
• 1959 Cadillac Series 62 Convertible, VIN 59F115669;
• Von Dutch Kustom Motor Bike, VIN 1H9S14955BB451257;
• 2006 Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM, VIN WDB2094421T067269;
• 2010 Mini Cooper S Coupe, VIN WMWZG32000TZ03648 License Plate No. “T”;
• 1989 Lamborghini LM002, VIN ZA9LU45AXKLA12158, License Plate No. “FRP358”
• 2011 Mercedes-Benz ML63, VIN 4JGBB7HB0BA666219;
• Samsung 820DXN 82” LCD TV;
• Samsung 820DXN 82” LCD TV;
• Samsung 820DXN 82” LCD TV;
• Devon Works LLC, Tread #1 time piece;
• Artwork, In High Spirits, Olaf Mueller photos from The Cat Street Gallery;
• Sharp 108” LCD Display TV;
• Sharp 108” LCD Display TV;
• Sony PMW-F3K Camera S/N 0200231;
• Sony PMW-F3K Camera S/N 0200561;
• Artwork, Predator Statue;
• Artwork, Christian Colin;
• Artwork, Anonymous Hooded Sculpture;
• 2009 Mercedes-Benz ML350 CDI 4MATIC Off-Roader;
• Sharp LC-65XS1M 65” LCD TV;
• Sharp LC-65XS1M 65” LCD TV;
• TVLogic 56” LUM56W TV;
• Sixty (60) Dell R710 computer servers.

http://venturebeat.com/2012/01/19/megaupload-indictment/

What seemed like a simple case of the federal government doing its job, quickly rippled into something much bigger. Anonymous, the hacker group that doubles as a anti-capitalist activist group, staged digital attacks on the Justice Department, Universal Music, BMI, the MPAA and the RIAA. Last year, the hacker group was also tied to the attack on the Sony Playstation Network, although no formal charges were ever brought up.

This latest attack puts the group in a very precarious situation. Taking down a video game network is one thing. Attacking music labels and the MPAA is another. Going after the Justice Department will be considered an attack on the country. Is it going too far? Some may say no. Unfortunately, this attack will put Anonymous at the top of the government’s list of digital terrorists. The government will undoubtedly be forced to put more resources towards taking down the organization, possibly igniting other hacker groups to jump forward into the foray.

http://www.buzzfocus.com/2012/01/20/mpaa-teams-up-with-feds-to-strike-back-against-the-anonymous-megaupload-rebellion/

LEFT-TO-RIGHT: Bram van der Kolk, Finn Batato, Mathias Ortmann and Kim Dotcom (alias Kim Schmitz, alias Kim Tim Jim Vestor).

All charges relate to the Megaupload file sharing website run by Mr Dotcom, which is alleged to have generated $US175 million profit from illegal activities.

The other three men held in custody are Megauploads chief marketing officer, Finn Batato, chief technical officer, co-founder and director Mathias Ortmann and Bram van der Kolk, who oversaw website programming and network structure.

More:
http://www.nbr.co.nz/article/kim-dotcom-says-weve-got-nothing-hide-judge-remands-him-custody-ck-108158

See also:

MegaUpload’s Kim Dotcom Linked To Notorious German-Led International Cigarette Smuggling Scheme Involving Son of Saddam Hussein?
http://vrritti.com/2012/01/22/megauploads-kim-dotcom-linked-to-notorious-german-led-international-cigarette-smuggling-scheme-involving-son-of-saddam-hussein/

While, in fact, they only removed certain links to the content file, which could still be illegally downloaded through numerous redundant links. Redundant links were sometimes created by members of the Conspiracy

http://www.scribd.com/doc/78786408/Mega-Indictment

http://www.scribd.com/doc/78786408/Mega-Indictment

http://www.scribd.com/doc/78786408/Mega-Indictment

http://www.scribd.com/doc/78786408/Mega-Indictment

DOTCOM stated that “I told you many times not to delete links that are reported in batches of thousands from insignificant sources. I would say that those infringement reports from MEXICO of  “14,000” links would fall into that category. And the fact that we lost significant revenue because of it justifies my reaction.”

http://www.scribd.com/doc/78786408/Mega-Indictment

On or about January 28, 2010, in an e-mail entitled “activating old countries,” a user of a Mega Conspiracy site asked BATATO: “where can we see full movies?”

BATATO replied “You need to go to our referrer sites. Such as http://www.thepiratecity.org or http://www.ovguide.com. There are the movie and series links.

You cannot find them by searchingon MV directly. That would cause us a lot of trouble ;-)”

http://www.scribd.com/doc/78786408/Mega-Indictment

The Mega Conspiracy’s PayPal, Inc. account has been utilized to receive payments from the Eastern District of Virginia and elsewhere for premium Megaupload.com subscriptions, which have included fees of $9.99 for monthly subscriptions, $59.99 for yearly subscriptions, and $199.99 for lifetime subscriptions.

From on or about November 25, 2006, through on or about July 2011,the PayPal, Inc. account for the Mega Conspiracy has received in excess of $110,000,000 from subscribers and other persons associated with Mega Conspiracy.

http://www.scribd.com/doc/78786408/Mega-Indictment

Leaseweb continues to provide the Mega Conspiracy withleased computers, Internet hosting, and support services as of the date of this Indictment

http://www.scribd.com/doc/78786408/Mega-Indictment

http://www.scribd.com/doc/78786408/Mega-Indictment