Board Thread:Game Discussion/@comment-11784273-20130902154747/@comment-11490363-20130904192700

Godofcyanide wrote: Ran: I know how it works on iOS, which (to my knowledge) is what Itsme also uses. All transactions go through Apple first. I don't get a receipt from Mobage; it comes from Apple. Therefore, Mobage would need to get that information from Apple, and would not have it directly.

Again, WE HAVE NO IDEA how these companies get the money they use to purchase coins. It may well be just heavily discounted iTunes cards! The "stolen CC" angle is strictly speculation.

While the legality of using stolen CCs for purchases is clearly defined, it's a lot more hazy in this kind of situation, as the end purchaser would never be able to know where that money came from. Obviously, the company is acting illegally, but the likelihood that the buyer understands this is quite low, as an operation like that would go to great lengths to distance themselves from the appearance of illegal action. Let's say the stolen CCs were used to purchase iTunes cards which are then exchanged for coins and placed in your account. The buyer is now a degree removed from the "stolen CC" part of this transaction. Is she still responsible?

Zacher, your continued insistence that she is grossly lying about her identity has worn on me. It doesn't matter. Stop bringing it up. It has NOTHING to do with this conversation. And, if it creeps you out, that sounds like YOUR problem, not mine, nor hers.

I salute you for your service, but, man, MAN UP. Fair points, which is why we are just asking questions and wanting answers. No one says for sure it is A or B, just that it seems fishy and any law abiding citizen would inquire further to make sure they are not supporting any illegal activity.

If the hackers are smart enough to defer tracing multiple times, then great, but what if they are not? Even if they are, that is still illegal, we just might not be able to prove it as easily, or at all. Asking the site and Mobage some pointed questions will give us more information that we can use to assess the situation better and be more confident in stating that either something illegal is going on or not.

I think asking those questions is reasonable given the situation. Mouth frothing defenses that includes 'it is no one's business' is just not a valid argument at this point. You are not required to defend yourself against frivolous claims, but I don't think this is frivolous.

As for responsibility, again, ignorance is not an excuse. You can't claim to 'not know' and therefore be fine using a service, when you have reasonable suspicion of something potentially illegal under the covers. Ethically you are required to ask. Legally maybe not required, but you are responsible if it is linked to you. So the smart person would ask.