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Portrait of an Identity Thief

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the getting-off-easy dept.

Ant writes to tell us that the New York Times has a closer look and an interview with an identity theft addict. From the article: "As far back as 2002, Mr. Sharma began picking the locks on consumer credit lines using a computer, the Internet and a deep understanding of online commerce, Internet security and simple human nature, obtained through years of trading insights with like-minded thieves in online forums. And he deployed the now-common rods and reels of data theft -- e-mail solicitations and phony Web sites -- that fleece the unwitting."

9 of 335 comments (clear)

  1. Yeah... by GammaKitsune · · Score: 5, Funny

    That is what worries Mr. Sharma's wife, Damaris, 21, who has no time for the Internet as she raises the couple's 1-year-old daughter, Bellamarie.
    "I hate computers," she said. "I think they're the devil."

    Sorry. I just thought that was funny, and had to post it.

    --
    Gamertag: WyleType
    1. Re:Yeah... by 0racle · · Score: 4, Funny

      I hate it when people over react. Computers are the TOOLS of the Devil, not the Devil himself.

      --
      "I use a Mac because I'm just better than you are."
  2. so what proof do we have of this guys actual name by RobertLTux · · Score: 4, Funny

    n/t

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  3. Shiva Sharma? by bsartist · · Score: 5, Funny

    Are we offshoring identity theft to India too?

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    Lost: Sig, white with black letters. No collar. Reward if found!
    1. Re:Shiva Sharma? by pen · · Score: 2, Funny

      We must take action quickly and protect our economy against this offshoring threat. I propose introducing legislation that creates incentive to conducting identity theft within our borders instead of off-shoring it.

  4. I'm not sure I get it... by crossmr · · Score: 2, Funny

    could you put another metaphor or two in the summary so that its really spelled out...

  5. Re:Its remarkably easy to scam people by Jah-Wren+Ryel · · Score: 5, Funny

    I think of myself as an honest person, but a desire to retain my freedom has also kept me from straying into a life of crime.

    That's funny.

    As an honest American, I find that my desire to retain my freedom is pushing me closer and closer to a life of crime with each passing day.

    --
    When information is power, privacy is freedom.
  6. Re:Addict, My Foot by jcr · · Score: 2, Funny

    He's addicted to this type of behavior and cannot control his actions.

    "Sucks to be him, counselor. His victims are addicted to kicking the shit out of him. Bailiff, please throw the defendant to the gallery."

    -jcr

    --
    The only title of honor that a tyrant can grant is "Enemy of the State."
  7. Re:Its remarkably easy to scam people by Cro+Magnon · · Score: 2, Funny

    Slightly off-topic, but I thought Intermittent Explosive Disorder is what I experience after trips to Taco Bell.

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