This is a bit unusual, it seems the online gaming community pitched in and helped track down two suspects for the Seattle area FBI Cyber Crime division. It only begins to make sense when it is learned, that due to the theft of the source code for Half Life2, gamers feared the product release would be delayed. In fact, it was so stressful for those anticipating the games release, they got online and helped authorities to quickly locate the offenders.
FBI Agent Ray Lauer in Seattle confirmed the arrests but would not comment further because it is an ongoing case being investigated by the Northwest Cyber Crime Task Force, a Seattle-based group of federal, state and local investigators. Game developer Valve Software said in a statement Thursday that arrests has been made in "several countries," and lauded video game fans for providing thousands of tips that helped lead to the arrests. "Within a few days of the announcement of the break-in, the online gaming community had tracked down those involved," said Gabe Newell, Valve's chief executive. Lauer wouldn't say when or where the arrests were made, how many persons were involved or what charges the suspects might face. |
What is of interest, is that an online commmunity was able to pull together and assist in a manhunt of sorts. It shows how we can all work together for a common goal if the the desire is there.
Source: Seattle PI
