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File: BUSTCNFM.TXT Subject: Arcadia bust on 21/12/93.
Date: 22/12/93
Time: 14:36/00 To: All UK Sysops, and others involved
Author: Executioner on the `scene'.
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AS A FOLLOW ON FROM THE ORIGINAL FILE "ARC-BUST.TXT" (REPEATED BELOW FOR
THOSE WHO MISSED IT).. I HAVE MADE A REPLY AND CONFIRM THE TRUTH.
With all the previous mail from unknown people, many may think these busts
are made up.. just a scare story - or just a plain joke... Sorry guys,
this is real! (for once).
Simply check back to May 1993, when you may have read in;
Computer Trade Weekly (2 weeks running)
The Sun ]-Yes I made the nationals!!
Today ]
Amiga Format (including the XMAS issue!! yup, I'm in that too!)
AUI
Amiga Shopper (2 issues)
and countless others I have not seen, but heard I was in!
I am that 19 year old (quote) `computer whizkid' (don't you just love
journalists!)...
I wonder what publications will pick up on this new bust!!
First off though, back to the message from Beast/Arcadia... I'll continue
(ranting) on afterwards!
----cut here----
B U S T E D !
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Arcadia BBS (Paradox EHQ, Pentagram UKHQ) in the UK has been busted.
Reps from FAST and the Metropolitan Police Computer Crime Unit turned up at my
house at 9.10am (21st December) with a search warrant. They have confiscated
all my computer equipment and any paperwork they thought useful. All USER.DATA
was intact so they have the lot.
If you run a UK BBS (any format) I strongly recommend that you close it and
wipe all info regarding it from your system.
Full Story:
~~~~~~~~~~~
The law knocked on my door at 9.10am and barged in armed with warrant. In
total there were about 8 peeps (2 from the CCU, one from FAST [John Loader -
Hello John I am sure you will be reading this!], a local police sergeant and
a few Scene of Crime Photographers) who proceeded to search the whole place.
No stone was left unturned - they even went thru bank statements, my holiday
snaps, love letters to/from Daffy (a bit off I think!) and anything else.
They took away my Amigas (BBS and A1200), my modems (4 of mine and one of a
nameless friend), my drives (even one that was in fact sold to someone else),
my disks, my games (even though I had receipts to prove they were paid for),
my monitor, even my phone socket doublers. I may get a receipt later (don't
know when).
I had a chat with John Loader (FAST) and he seemed well up on the scene in the
UK. He is on MOST boards in the UK and was prepared to name a few - Unknown
Pleasures and Flying Teapot on PC - and some Amiga ones. He wanted to have my
opinion on which of the two I thought was the better PC board - he thought UP
but Teapot was better since he moved to Brighton and opened his third node. He
mentioned Living Chaos on Amiga (and Intreq by name) amongst.
My strong recommendation is to close because it just ain't worth the risks. I
don't mean the usual "close for a few weeks for things to calm down" - the
future busts FAST are working on will take time. FAST need to provide evidence
to gain a search warrant and have the CCU and your local police co-operation
so it might be up to 6 months or more before they visit a BBS but rest assured
they can (and probably will). Sure, they prefer the MultiNoders but they also
want the babies. JL mentioned that there were some pretty lame boards around
that went up and down every few weeks (yeah that's you Hogster! - joke!) but
they want them ALL. I don't yet have any idea what charges will be put against
me but the evidence is probably there (on my HDs but of course I never have
time to look at the uploads so I cannot be sure but FAST seem to think there
will be pirate stuff there!).
For the doubters amongst you - it is sufficient evidence to get a search
warrant if they provide captures and/or files. Suffice it to say there is no
BBS in the UK safe from a search warrant.
If anyone wants to verify this as genuine feel free to call me on my mobile
phone (+44 850 828117 from 9am-9pm UK time only please). I have posted this
number because I am sure some cynics will doubt the validity of this.
Beast (Paradox/Pentagram/Daffy-Lovers)
21/12/93
Happy Xmas to ya all (from my cell at Watford Nick!)
Oh and yes.. don`t expect to see ARCADiA return - it won't be - It's been
nice getting to know some cool guys - no names - I know FAST will see this
file - They will probs read it on your BBS Mr.Sysop !!
----cut here----
Note from Executioner; {Former sysop of Treasure Island, +44 992 R.I.P.}
I can confirm the above to be true - as anyone who is anyone knows I had
the same visit back in May of this year...
I had no intention of making any text files explaining things, but feel now
the time is right to let everyone know whats what, after Beast took the
initiative.
FAST/CCU can, and WILL carry out more raids in the future... If you want
to continue running a board then so on your head be it.. but all I can say
is that if you carry on running a board, and get busted --- do not complain
to anyone except yourself... As Beast quite aptly stated, they could be
reading this file on YOUR board!
It took them a long time to gather the evidence before striking me, so
don't think they can't have already infiltrated your system.. They may
already have applied for the search warrant... [Dawn raid here we come!!]
Since May 6th 1993, I have still had none of my equipment returned -
including a A2000, Nintendo, PC, Scanner/Printer/Monitors, Hard Drive and
Modems etc. YOU ALWAYS WERE A GREEDY BASTARD ANYWAY!
For all of those out there that think they cannot do anything - you are
wrong.. For even if they do not charge you, they can hold your stuff for a
very long time.. and by the time it is returned it will be considerably
devalued (and of course you have no machine to play on in the meantime!!).
Is that not punishment in itself??
FAST -do- know what they're doing, and are fully clued up on the scene..
they have the right equipment... I get so sick of those saying `but they
probably only have a 2400 baud modem on an A500'.. Wake up!! You think
they can't afford a 16.8k?? Jeez.. You think they cannot answer a few
simple questions about whats new??? They can read file listings on
boards!! You think they are going to answer "yes" to the question `are you
a law enforcement agency.......'... How naive (you were!) can people get!!
I have now quit the scene - and feel better for it. What gets to me is
that so many people will read this, and think that I am being defeatist,
and the scene will rule on for always... Well the scene will never die,
but slowly, one by one FAST will knock bits away from it -- and people like
YOU will be the ones affected... then the scene will just stab you in the
back, ignore you, and then continue without you... What an awesome hobby
to have! -- Are you the same person who would be tempted to steal cars or
sell drugs for `Mr Big' -- thinking you are part of a team, only to find
yourself busted and your "boss" has shockingly gone AWOL.... look who
takes the heat! sob sob!!!
Why not do something sensible like get a REAL job! get paid REAL money!
Hey, you may even get enough money to BUY a game!! - Well, okay maybe I am
going to far there :-)
-eXe-
As a final thought -- they WILL carry out more raids -- how do you know it
wont be you? If your board is as awesome as every sysop likes to think it
is... then likewise, FAST will be most interested in calling it!
..Infact, I would almost go as far to say that if you don't get busted -
maybe it is because your board SUCKS!!! (hehe)
Comment:
BETTER WITH A BOARD THAT SUCKS THAN NO BOARD AND NO HARDWARE !!
Happy XMAS!!
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