Two ineresting side notes:
pokerstars.net is still up
pokerstars.co.uk gives a 404 error, after redirecting to pokerstars.com/uk
seems like sloppy webmastership from the FBI.
FBI seized PokerStars.com, FullTiltPoker.com, UB.com,... domain names
291–300 of 402 posts
Re: FBI seized PokerStars.com, FullTiltPoker.com, UB.com,... domain names
#292Earlier quoted context omitted.
If the Bitcoin client cannot connect to the IRC channel, it uses an in-built list of initial nodes to connect to the P2P network. Shutting down the IRC channel via a court order wouldn't shut down the Bitcoin network. You could harvest IP addresses from the IRC channel, but you could also do that by running the client and noting down which peers you connect to. Unless you're running behind Tor or I2P, it's not hard t…
I don't think, that prosecuting of programmers will be unsuccessful. I won't be surprised, if Gavin's programming will be described as yet another "unique form of domestic terrorism". Probably original bitcoin author remained anonymous for the fear of government's retaliation.
I meant unsuccessful from the point of view of shutting down Bitcoins. However, I suspect that they'd find it difficult to charge Gavin. The Bitcoin system doesn't use physical coins, so they won't run afoul of the same law that shut down Libery Dollars. There also isn't a lot of difference between Bitcoins and in-game virtual currencies like ISK, or WoW gold. You'd also have rights organisations like the EFF lining up to defend Gavin.
Re: FBI seized PokerStars.com, FullTiltPoker.com, UB.com,... domain names
#293Earlier quoted context omitted.
I suspect that if the use of Chuck E. Cheese tokens as a medium of exchange were to become widespread in a given locale (one with the profile of Las Vegas) the Secret Service would take a similar interest. As it is, come on. Their budget is finite.
What about Ithica Hours? http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ithaca_Hours
Looks like the test in question is metal coinage, which Ithaca Hours aren't.
Re: FBI seized PokerStars.com, FullTiltPoker.com, UB.com,... domain names
#294Pretty strong charges:
* Violation of Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act [5 years prison]
* Operation of Illegal Gambling Business [5 years prison]
* Conspiracy to Commit Bank Fraud and Wire Fraud [30 years prison]
* Money Laundering Conspiracy [20 years prison]
And for all of them fines double the gross gain or loss: http://www.justice.gov/usao/nys/pressreleases/April11/schein...
Re: FBI seized PokerStars.com, FullTiltPoker.com, UB.com,... domain names
#295In case anyone thinks this is about deterring online gambling, Washington DC (the municipality, not the Federal government) has recently legalized online gambling as a type of lottery.
[ http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/U/US_ONLINE_GAMBLING_DC]
Re: FBI seized PokerStars.com, FullTiltPoker.com, UB.com,... domain names
#296The hijacked DNS has not propagated everywhere yet. Mine are still working. If anyone has last minute business to do on these sites, such as cashing out before the FBI steals your money, add these to your hosts file: $ host pokerstars.com pokerstars.com has address 77.87.179.116 pokerstars.com mail is handled by 20 mx20.pokerstars.com. $ host absolutepoker.com absolutepoker.com has address 66.212.244.175 absolutepoke…
Thank you very much. Unfortunately for me, you didn't hit fulltiltpoker in time.
Re: FBI seized PokerStars.com, FullTiltPoker.com, UB.com,... domain names
#297The hijacked DNS has not propagated everywhere yet. Mine are still working. If anyone has last minute business to do on these sites, such as cashing out before the FBI steals your money, add these to your hosts file: $ host pokerstars.com pokerstars.com has address 77.87.179.116 pokerstars.com mail is handled by 20 mx20.pokerstars.com. $ host absolutepoker.com absolutepoker.com has address 66.212.244.175 absolutepoke…
The FBI press release[1] says that they've shut down all the sites' bank accounts too, so you're unlikely to be able to pull your money out. I selfishly hope they go after everybody with money on any of those sites, because it might generate more outrage than just the domain name seizures. [1]: http://www.fbi.gov/newyork/press-releases/2011/manhattan-u.s...
> The FBI press release[1] says that they've shut down all the sites' bank accounts too, so you're unlikely to be able to pull your money out.
Sure, but we can at least take a screenshot of our accounts for the purposes of a class-action lawsuit later, either against the site or the government, itself.
Re: FBI seized PokerStars.com, FullTiltPoker.com, UB.com,... domain names
#298Reagan is the one who signed "asset forfeiture" into law. I remember at the time reading newspaper articles claiming this was "just going to be used to keep drugs off the streets" and how "law enforcement are outgunned and now can defend themselves against drug dealers". It was obvious to me then that this was a violation of due process. Also, it is not authorized by the constitution, and thus every act of seizure un…
This post really highlights the needs for collapsible threads. I'd be very interested in discussing more about asset forfeiture at large, but it's ridiculous to have to wade through all the Liberty Dollar bullshit in order to do that.
Re: FBI seized PokerStars.com, FullTiltPoker.com, UB.com,... domain names
#299Here's what the domain names look like, for those of us who's DNS hasn't propagated yet.
Re: FBI seized PokerStars.com, FullTiltPoker.com, UB.com,... domain names
#300Earlier quoted context omitted.
The FBI press release[1] says that they've shut down all the sites' bank accounts too, so you're unlikely to be able to pull your money out. I selfishly hope they go after everybody with money on any of those sites, because it might generate more outrage than just the domain name seizures. [1]: http://www.fbi.gov/newyork/press-releases/2011/manhattan-u.s...
Cashing out is not working for me...
They process cashouts through intermediaries, essentially laundering the cashout money. This is one of the main crimes they are being charged with. In addition to the domain names, the FBI also seized all of the funds they could that were being used in handling cashouts.