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Flash Mob Steals $9 Million From ATMs
Mike writes "A global flash mob of ATM thieves netted $9 million in fraud against ATMs in 49 cities around the world. The computer system for a company called RBS WorldPay was hacked. One service of the company is the ability for employers to pay employees with the money going directly to a debit card that can be used in any ATM. The hacker was able to infiltrate the supposedly secure system and steal the information necessary to duplicate or clone people's ATM cards. Shortly after midnight Eastern Time on November 8, the FBI believes that dozens of the so-called cashers were used in a coordinated attack on ATMs around the world. Over 130 different ATMs in 49 cities worldwide were accessed in a 30-minute period on November 8. 'We've never seen one this well coordinated,' the FBI said. So far, the FBI has no suspects and has made no arrests (PDF) in this scam."
A flash mob is a large group of people who assemble suddenly in a public place, perform an unusual action for a brief time, then quickly disperse. The organization of flash mobs is generally accepted as being limited to the social media or viral emails, rather than organized by public relations firms or for a stunt. Also flash mobs are not politically or commercially motivated as described by Bill Wasik's in where he said, they serve no purpose.
NOT "large" group. Probably well under 100 people.
Here is the amazing part: With these cashers ready to do their dirty work around the world, the hacker somehow had the ability to lift those limits we all have on our ATM cards. For example, I'm only allowed to take out $500 a day, but the cashers were able to cash once, twice, three times over and over again. When it was all over, they only used 100 cards but they ripped off $9 million.
NOT an unusual action - they took money from an ATM. Not exactly pillow fighting in the middle of the street.
WAS organized with one specific goal and purpose in mind - getting away with 9 million dollars.
MOST DEFINITELY commercially motivated.
NOT A FLASH MOB! A well organized group of CRI-MI-NAL-S!
Then again, article WAS linked from myfoxny.com - that famous source of unbiased and non-sensationalistic information.
Mit der Dummheit kämpfen Götter selbst vergebens
Webster's New Millennium Dictionary of English defines flash mob as "a group of people who organize on the Internet and then quickly assemble in a public place, do something bizarre, and disperse."
So. Umm... You're just proving my point, eh?
Or are you saying that ATMs are public places and one person near an ATM is enough to be called a group.