Kim Dotcom, Megaupload Founder, Joked About Criminal Background
Kim Dotcom, founder of the file-sharing website Megaupload, joked about his criminal past, which includes hacking and insider trading.
Dotcom reportedly sent his New Zealand neighbors emails where he bragged about being a criminal. He referred to himself as "a criminal neighbor like me," and boasted that he could help them with insider trading, according to Christian Science Monitor.
He said being a criminal comes with benefits and suggested money laundering and tax fraud tips, according to Reuters. He then took a serious tone, assuring that he moved to New Zealand in peace and he and his family loved the neighborhood.
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Dotcom developed a reputation for hacking in his native country, Germany. Also known Kim Schmitz, he was found guilty of manipulating stock prices, earning himself over $1 million. He also reportedly offered a $10 million award on his website for information leading to capture of Osama Bin Laden in 2001.
"Now you can make a choice: 1: Call Interpol, the CIA, and the Queen of England and try to get me on the next plane out of New Zealand. 2: Sit back, relax and give me a chance to do good for New Zealand and possibly the neighborhood," Dotcom wrote.
He then invited neighbors to his house for coffee, asking them to bring cocaine.
Dotcom, who has another alias, Kim Tim Jim Vestor ,also provided insight to his past crimes and claimed his criminal records were clear.
"Fifteen years ago I was a hacker and 10 years ago I was convicted for insider trading," he said in the email. "Hardly the kind of crimes you need to start a witch hunt for. Since then I have been a good boy, my criminal records have been cleared, and I created a successful internet company that employs 100+ people."
The internet company he was referring to is Megaupload.com, which Dotcom was arrested for operating. U.S. authorities accused Dotcom and three other employees of facilitating millions of illegal downloads of films, music and other content that cost copyright holders half a billion dollars in lost revenue.
He faces charges of racketeering, money laundering and Internet piracy, according to a Reuters report.
A New Zealand judge has ordered Dotcom to stay in custody for another month, saying that he poses a significant flight risk. He also faces a Feb. 22 hearing for an extradition to the U.S.
