Man Arrested for Plundering Runescape Online Game Accounts

Britian’s Police National e-crime unit announced in a statement, “A 23 year old man was arrested in Avon and Somerset on the morning of Tuesday 24 November ... on suspicion of a number of computer misuse offences.” The target of the crime: the accounts of Runescape players.

Jagex, the company that created and owns Runescape, stated that it was likely to be the first of several arrests, “We have pinned down and identified the handful of ringleaders.” It is believed they gained access to the accounts by “phishing” emails, then once they gained access sold off the items then plundered them. The virtual cash can be sold for real money. Two million in Runescape gold can sell for about ten US dollars in the Internet's "underground."

Jagex stated it was working with the British police and FBI to find and catch those stealing from peoples’ accounts. The arrest on the 24th “was one result of a long-term investigation “of those behind the attack that struck, “a few thousand Runescape players.”

Selling Runescape gold has been against the rules of the game, “and Jagex has made many changes to it’s underlying code to stamp out gold farming.” A Runescape official thought these efforts may have led to the thefts.

Before, the worst offenders could expect was a canceled account. Now, they face real time in a real jail for their theft of virtual cash and goods.

“Players invest years of time and effort into developing their Runescape character, so the theft of a Runescape account shouldn’t be treated differently to the theft of any other valuable possessions, such as a games console, television, or car.”

Sources: BBC News, Casual Gaming.