NPR: Virtual World Crime Leads to Real World Arrest

Virtual World Crime Leads to Real World Arrest

Filed under: News

A group of teens in the Netherlands is under investigation for allegedly stealing virtual furniture from a hotel room on Habbo, an online networking site with a monthly audience of 6 million people in 30 countries.

The virtual furniture in question was purchased with $5,853 in real money. The teens are accused of stealing the furniture for their own Habbo rooms.

For me, the take-home from this online whodunnit is this:
1. Don't create a virtual world in which people can steal your fake crap.
2. There are 6 million people out there willing to pay for imaginary furniture. Meanwhile, I'm eating beans and rice to save up for a real couch.

Oh, Habbo, you cruel, cruel virtual world.

MJ Davis

11:26 AM ET | 11-15-2007 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

Money is virtual as is intellectual property such as original research and architectural designs. These are not imaginary. Like telescopes, telephones, and televisions, virtual worlds extend human senses and realities allowing us experiences impossible in the physical world.

Sent by SuwanneeJoe | 7:34 AM ET | 11-16-2007

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