FBI Asked Sony For Data On User Who Used PlayStation Network To Sell Cocaine (vice.com) 39
According to Motherboard, the FBI applied for a search warrant in October compelling Sony to provide data on a PlayStation 4 user who was allegedly part of a cocaine distribution network. The application even asks for what games the alleged drug dealer played, and his progress in them. From the report: "The Provider is hereby ordered to disclose the above information to the Government within 14 days of service of this warrant," the search warrant application, filed on October 22 in the Western District of Missouri, reads. The case revolves around Curtis Alexander, also known as "Dola," who the FBI alleges used PlayStation's online service to coordinate the sale of large quantities of cocaine.
"The CHS [Confidential Human Source] stated ALEXANDER was currently charging $34,000 per kilogram of cocaine. The CHS stated ALEXANDER utilizes the PlayStation username 'Speedola20,'" the application reads, referring to an unnamed informant for the FBI who helped investigate Alexander. The CHS said Alexander contacted them through the PlayStation game "during game." "The phase 'during game' is a reference to audio communication held during the CHS and ALEXANDER's participation in an online multi-player game," the application continues. "Investigators believe that ALEXANDER likely believes that audio communication during the course of his participation in an online game is secure. As such, ALEXANDER likely believes that he can use audio communication during game play on the PlayStation to arrange the details of a drug transaction." The FBI and CHS went on to setup a sting in which the Bureau surveilled Alexander selling the informant a bag of around 100 grams of white powder for $4,400, and Alexander told the CHS he wanted to talk again later that evening on the "game," the court document adds. The FBI asked for essentially all info that Sony may have held on the user, "including stored or preserved copies of emails, chats, or other messages sent to and from the Account, drafts of such, and the source destination addresses associated with each, the date and time at which each was sent, and the size and length of each," the search warrant application reads. It's not known if Sony provided the data.
"The CHS [Confidential Human Source] stated ALEXANDER was currently charging $34,000 per kilogram of cocaine. The CHS stated ALEXANDER utilizes the PlayStation username 'Speedola20,'" the application reads, referring to an unnamed informant for the FBI who helped investigate Alexander. The CHS said Alexander contacted them through the PlayStation game "during game." "The phase 'during game' is a reference to audio communication held during the CHS and ALEXANDER's participation in an online multi-player game," the application continues. "Investigators believe that ALEXANDER likely believes that audio communication during the course of his participation in an online game is secure. As such, ALEXANDER likely believes that he can use audio communication during game play on the PlayStation to arrange the details of a drug transaction." The FBI and CHS went on to setup a sting in which the Bureau surveilled Alexander selling the informant a bag of around 100 grams of white powder for $4,400, and Alexander told the CHS he wanted to talk again later that evening on the "game," the court document adds. The FBI asked for essentially all info that Sony may have held on the user, "including stored or preserved copies of emails, chats, or other messages sent to and from the Account, drafts of such, and the source destination addresses associated with each, the date and time at which each was sent, and the size and length of each," the search warrant application reads. It's not known if Sony provided the data.
And? (Score:5, Insightful)
Does this surprise anyone? I mean, it's not like they told Sony they wanted information on every user, just one guy. They got a warrant for it and it's all above board. I'm confused how this is news.
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Seems like the cops want to be warning that even "in game" chat is logged... now about the FBI saying smart TV cameras and microphones can be snooped on by scammers...
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Terrorists have been using in-game chat since the mid 2000s. The Russians made extensive use of XBL and PSN chat to hack the election. All of the smart criminals have long known "in game" chat is logged. We are now seeing the stupid criminals being caught.
#NotNews
Comment removed (Score:4, Funny)
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Most criminals are stupid.
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They are all over game chats, right over the top, some of the silly shit I have seen and we are talking three letter agency types, trying to bait people, lame as fuck and they really stand out. It is fun trolling them, disrupting their silly shite, politics more than criminal shite.
You can use multi-player gaming to search out psychopaths, through their game play and chat, not hard for a AI to target them for closer analysis. Take one guess which game would be most track able especially because of it's pay
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"Seems like the cops want to be warning that even "in game" chat is logged..."
It's safe to assume everything is logged and has been for a long time now. Even IRC, where at the very least you have the users
logging the conversations.
The dealers were just plain fucking stupid to do this over something like the Playstation Network where everything is logged all the time.
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Its not news, it's Fark. /ducks
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It's news because apparently there is an actual use for the Sony Network! Whoda thunk it?
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We need a constant reminder that is it's online, someone has a log, somewhere.
There are people starting to use the internet for the first times every day(kids) and they need to be educated as to the risk.
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Darn FBI (Score:3, Funny)
Why is the FBI selling cocaine in the first place???
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Why is the FBI selling cocaine in the first place???
They were just trying to keep up with the CIA.
Re: Darn FBI (Score:1)
Legalize drugs now (Score:5, Insightful)
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Oh good, my taxes paying for people to snort cocaine. Why do I even bother working?
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That's not how it works.
"Why do I even bother working?"
Money. Which is taxed, which pays for prisons and law enforcement, which is more expensive then treatment and clinics.
The real question is: Why am I paying taxes for schools when it churns out non-thinkers like you?
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"Legalize drugs now"
No. Stop acting like all drugs are the same.
Don't criminalize the addicts? sure.
Also, "Drugs" is a stupid, and vague statement.
I'm not acting like they're the same (Score:2)
What game is this? (Score:2)
Because, damn, what else is in those loot boxes?
And where is ... (Score:2)
Not that I have a real problem with what the FBI is doing. Enforcing federal laws. So hand everything over to them and let them prioritize enforcement where it will do the most good combating crime. Damned ATF gets their panties in a bunch over the configuration of grips on pistols.
Re: And where is ... (Score:1)
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Cociane + PS users that buy on PS network? (Score:2)
That sounds like a *very* niche market to me.
Did he sell different flavours? Like "Metal Gear Powder" or "Horizon Zero Latenight"?
Should have used an Escobar phone! (Score:1)
When he gets out of prison, he can use an Escobar phone for all his massive cocaine deals. No one will ever suspect it!