A How-Not-To Guide to Cyber-Extortion 311
TexasDex writes "The Register reports: Myron Tereshchuk, 42, of Maryland, pleaded guilty to "attempted extortion affecting commerce" for sending threatening messages to a competing patent firm, including a demand for $17 million in exchange for not revealing sensitive information. He was clever in hiding his tracks, the messages came from two different homes and a dentist's office, all of which turned out to be running unsecured WAPs. He also avoided a web bug sent by the firm, and managed to penetrate the company's computer system. But he made a few mistakes. First of all he was already a prime suspect due to "past altercations between Tereshchuk and the company". But "the clearest sign came when he issued the $17m extortion demand, and instructed the company to 'make the check payable to Myron Tereshchuk.'""
Darwinian criminal behaviour ... (Score:5, Funny)
There's a TV show broadcast over here in the UK (on some of the cable channels) "America's Dumbest Criminals" - guess this guy'll be on soon enough. I have to admit I thought a lot of the stories were made up, but if people are going to sign their REAL NAME to an extortion demand, sheesh, perhaps people *can* be that stupid.
Well, on the up-side, it at least frees the cops' time up so they can catch criminals with at least 1 brain cell. Let's hope the feedback loop stays negative...
Simon.
I request all my extortion checks... (Score:0, Funny)
Almost as smart... (Score:5, Funny)
Almost as smart as this guy [wftv.com] - "A man who walked into a Wal-Mart covered in blood and bought garbage bags Friday was charged with murder after authorities found a stabbed body in a trash bin."
Planning people, planning!
I will crapflood slashdot (Score:5, Funny)
Beware!
Rookie mistake (Score:5, Funny)
Why criminals seem dumb (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Darwinian criminal behaviour ... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:You'll never hear about the smart criminals. (Score:5, Funny)
I thought the smart criminals became successful politicians. They may not get caught, but unfortunately I hear about 'em all the time.
A good idea... (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Darwinian criminal behaviour ... (Score:5, Funny)
So the guy pulls out his driver's license and shows it to her. Haha.
Make check payable to Myron Tereshchuk (Score:3, Funny)
Obligatory Family Guy Quote (Score:3, Funny)
Psych ward clerk: "What's your name, sir?"
Peter: "Umm.....Pee.....ter.............Griffin.....damn
Bonus Simpsons quote:
Homer at Post Office (trying to disguise voice): "Hello, my name is Mr. Burns. I believe you have a letter for me"
Post Office employee: "Ok, what's your first name?"
Homer (smugly): "I don't know!
Obligatory Simpsons reference.. (Score:1, Funny)
"You're Myron? But I'm Myron!!
"So, is this what it sounds like.. when doves cry?" (hugs)
Re:Let's get this over with (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Darwinian criminal behaviour ... (Score:5, Funny)
Wrong time, wrong place, wrong everything...
As my friend Kuni would say... (Score:2, Funny)
--
Next up on Wheel of Fish....
...but I know that you know that I know... (Score:5, Funny)
pffft. Amateur.
Everybody knows that only an idiot would ask for the check out to himself; so he could use that as an alibi, since nobody would believe that it was him.
Of course, a truly smart criminal would know that a smart investigator would realize that most people know that you shouldn't ask for the check to be written out to your own real name; so he should not have the check written to his own name. But naturally, a well-trained detective would recommend that possibility and immediately discount the possiblity that the name he demanded to be written on the check was his own name; so he should have used his own name.
But the company he was blackmailing was located in Connecticut, which is kind of like a miniature Australia; and everybody knows that Australia is populated by criminals...
(Ow, I think my head hurts now.)
The biggest criminals... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:...but I know that you know that I know... (Score:2, Funny)
Truly, you have a dazzling intellect.
he must have been reading from SCOs manuals (Score:2, Funny)
Another stupid criminal (Score:3, Funny)
here [jiu-jitsu.net] .
Hey, it really works! (Score:3, Funny)
Hey, that really works. I've robbed a bank last friday and no cops here yet.
... Wait a second, there's somebody knocking my door...
Re:Let's get this over with (Score:1, Funny)
How is that name pronounced? Please enlighten me. Do you prononce the H in the last name?
Re:...but I know that you know that I know... (Score:3, Funny)
Must be the iocaine.
Re:...but I know that you know that I know... (Score:2, Funny)
my cousin (Score:3, Funny)
I am consouled by the fact we were both adopted, from different families.
he gets out in Spring of 2006 and wants to move near me