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A Coder Who Became a Crime Boss

wired.com

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Re: A Coder Who Became a Crime Boss

#3
post #2

Longer version of this story here (2016): https://magazine.atavist.com/the-mastermind -- fascinating story and these articles captivated me. Have had them bookmarked for ages :-)

I came here to post just that. The atavist article is fascinating. I recently re-read it, it's so good.

Re: A Coder Who Became a Crime Boss

#6

I hate that they put that list like that: "Private jets full of gold. Missile-guidance systems. Unbreakable encryption. African militias. Explosives. Kidnapping." One of the things in this list is not like the other.

You mean private jets full of gold that are actually legal (though probably evading taxes) as opposed to the illegality of all the rest?

Re: A Coder Who Became a Crime Boss

#7

I hate that they put that list like that: "Private jets full of gold. Missile-guidance systems. Unbreakable encryption. African militias. Explosives. Kidnapping." One of the things in this list is not like the other.

True. But I don't think it's a like for like comparison. It's more "these are the kinds of things that sound like they'd be part of an exciting spy story". I mean, if you were to add "beautiful tuxedos" or "high stakes card games" it could be the dust jacket for a James Bond novel.

Re: A Coder Who Became a Crime Boss

#9
post #8
post #2

Longer version of this story here (2016): https://magazine.atavist.com/the-mastermind -- fascinating story and these articles captivated me. Have had them bookmarked for ages :-)

Not just longer, "better" version for sure.

Yeah, the Wired article is a promo for a book that is an extended version of the atavist piece.

Read the atavist piece.

Re: A Coder Who Became a Crime Boss

#10

I hate that they put that list like that: "Private jets full of gold. Missile-guidance systems. Unbreakable encryption. African militias. Explosives. Kidnapping." One of the things in this list is not like the other.

Unbreakable encryption

For all practical purposes, it is true.

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