So, I don't have a WoW account, but how easy would it be to use games like WoW to fly under the radar?  I mean it seems like the feds would have a tough time 1. getting permission to access WoW's files and 2. thinking about it in the first place--not to mention WoW would probably resist to avoid the bad press.  I mean if it ever came up in actual court documents that the FBI was surveilling the WoW I think a lot of users might have misgivings.  

But mainly, I just have this vision of Tony Soprano as a Druid and Paulie Walnuts as a Night Elf Mohawk meeting in a private part of the forest to discuss their next heist, but using game terminology to do it.  So, instead of "we whack Richie Aprile" they say "we've got to kill that little dwarf with the attitude."  Instead of "there's a truck we need to hijack" they say "that caravan will be coming through the pass at 9:00pm."

This could work well for any modern game, or even a VR game like Shadowrun.  I'm trying to figure out a way to integrate it into my Star Wars campaign.  

In the modern world, how long would it take the authorities to catch on?

Pete

I don't know really.  There's been some rumbling in the media about things like this having already occured IIRC, but I'm not sure.

I'm more interested in the fact that the practices of most gold farming organizations already basically are organized crime anyway, and so would find the actual involvement of real world organized crime somehow amusing.  I wouldn't be surprised if there's Tongs already involved in that sort of behavior over in China.  Or Russian mobsters, for that matter.  Some how the idea of Balalaika from Black Lagoon presiding over a bunch of unwashed geeks farming gold in Warcraft is delightfully hilarious to me.

It's doable.  Each low-level zone has a couple of out-of-the way spots that are also reasonably free of hostile NPCs.  Your hypothetical gangsters would need only to open trial accounts, roll on the same server, preferably the same race--class is irrelevant--and level up enough to be able to roam that initial zone freely (a couple of hours at most out of a 10-day trial period) so that they can get to that spot.  They can logout at that spot, so all they need do thereafter is log in, chat using /say (and more private one-on-one using /tell or /whisper) to talk stuff over and then logout again when done.

The downside is that someone may come across the group, and since it's a low-level zone chances are that they can't resort to PVP to drive them away; furthermore the reaction will be that the gangsters are cyber-sex twits getting their groove on, which invites further attention that such folks wouldn't want.  Since they aren't levelling up they'll attract more attention over time, especially if it looks like they are mains and not alts; they have to play the game--albeit slowly--to the level cap to keep that at bay.  (At the cap they will not have quite the problem; if they are willing to make the effort they can clear an instance and then stick around because no one else can follow them into it.)

Quote from: J ArcaneI don't know really.  There's been some rumbling in the media about things like this having already occured IIRC, but I'm not sure.

I'm more interested in the fact that the practices of most gold farming organizations already basically are organized crime anyway, and so would find the actual involvement of real world organized crime somehow amusing.  I wouldn't be surprised if there's Tongs already involved in that sort of behavior over in China.  Or Russian mobsters, for that matter.  Some how the idea of Balalaika from Black Lagoon presiding over a bunch of unwashed geeks farming gold in Warcraft is delightfully hilarious to me.

Yeah, money laundering was my first thought when I read the thread title too.

And holy crap other people than me watch Black Lagoon! Awesome.

Quote from: Bradford C. WalkerIt's doable.  Each low-level zone has a couple of out-of-the way spots that are also reasonably free of hostile NPCs.  Your hypothetical gangsters would need only to open trial accounts, roll on the same server, preferably the same race--class is irrelevant--and level up enough to be able to roam that initial zone freely (a couple of hours at most out of a 10-day trial period) so that they can get to that spot.  They can logout at that spot, so all they need do thereafter is log in, chat using /say (and more private one-on-one using /tell or /whisper) to talk stuff over and then logout again when done.

The downside is that someone may come across the group, and since it's a low-level zone chances are that they can't resort to PVP to drive them away; furthermore the reaction will be that the gangsters are cyber-sex twits getting their groove on, which invites further attention that such folks wouldn't want.  Since they aren't levelling up they'll attract more attention over time, especially if it looks like they are mains and not alts; they have to play the game--albeit slowly--to the level cap to keep that at bay.  (At the cap they will not have quite the problem; if they are willing to make the effort they can clear an instance and then stick around because no one else can follow them into it.)

So, pretty much the Mafia might be able to dabble with it, but the Triads and Yaks would be the ones wired in enough to really make the idea work.  What about terrorists?  It seems like the Dept of Homeland Security would have a hell of a time policing the WoW.  Can you image the memo--Keep your eyes open for any suspicious persons or activities in the WoW. . .

Pete

Quote from: J ArcaneI'm more interested in the fact that the practices of most gold farming organizations already basically are organized crime anyway, and so would find the actual involvement of real world organized crime somehow amusing.  I wouldn't be surprised if there's Tongs already involved in that sort of behavior over in China.  

Yeah, I had forgotten about gold farming.  I'm sure someone's latched onto it--it's a lot cheaper to maintain and far less dangerous than running numbers or prostitution.  

Pete

Instead of the mafia, I've thought about using an MMO in a modern counter-terrorist campaign I've been mulling over to allow terrorists to communicate with each other and discuss their operations.

By gum, I've just thought of something else.... I could use, say, True20 for the main game, then have the PCs enter WoW to track down the terrorists by breaking out the WoW RPG for when they are in the game Woot, thanks for the nudge to my inspiration!

Quote from: SigmundInstead of the mafia, I've thought about using an MMO in a modern counter-terrorist campaign I've been mulling over to allow terrorists to communicate with each other and discuss their operations.

Hey.  

Quote from: pspahnThis could work well for any modern game, or even a VR game like Shadowrun.

It also has potential for Dreamwalker.

And when you think about it, it doesn't have to be the mafia. An occult group, terrorists, spies, cabal, thieves, etc... they could all find a use.

Trenchcoat Mafia.

Seriously, I already use WoW to buy drugs.

This is really security through obscurity and sleight of hand, and nothing more, basically a form of a private channel in IRC or use of whisper in a text-based MUD.

But it shows what an enormous problem it is to approach surveillance from a purely technical standpoint. It's only going to catch the low-hanging fruit of people who don't think at all about security.

It seems to me that the Dept. of Homeland Security, FBI, etc., would or should instead begin by identifying targets for surveillance, then tracking everything those persons do which provides an opportunity for communication. So, no, you don't look for "suspicious activity" on WoW. You observe that Tony Soprano has a DSL line, track his packets, note that he plays WoW, and then go to Blizzard with a warrant.

. . .rising from the grave


http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,520338,00.html

Quote from: Bradford C. Walker;193065It's doable.  Each low-level zone has a couple of out-of-the way spots that are also reasonably free of hostile NPCs.  Your hypothetical gangsters would need only to open trial accounts, roll on the same server, preferably the same race--class is irrelevant--and level up enough to be able to roam that initial zone freely (a couple of hours at most out of a 10-day trial period) so that they can get to that spot.  They can logout at that spot, so all they need do thereafter is log in, chat using /say (and more private one-on-one using /tell or /whisper) to talk stuff over and then logout again when done.

The downside is that someone may come across the group, and since it's a low-level zone chances are that they can't resort to PVP to drive them away; furthermore the reaction will be that the gangsters are cyber-sex twits getting their groove on, which invites further attention that such folks wouldn't want.  Since they aren't levelling up they'll attract more attention over time, especially if it looks like they are mains and not alts; they have to play the game--albeit slowly--to the level cap to keep that at bay.  (At the cap they will not have quite the problem; if they are willing to make the effort they can clear an instance and then stick around because no one else can follow them into it.)

I would imagine that if a crime "family" was to use this method, they would employ low-level "electronic soldiers" to keep playing the game sufficiently to avoid unwanted attention.  Especially if they read this thread

Quote from: BillDowns;302761I would imagine that if a crime "family" was to use this method, they would employ low-level "electronic soldiers" to keep playing the game sufficiently to avoid unwanted attention.  Especially if they read this thread

Plus, two or more folks wanting to talk in-game would only need to enter a group together to get a private channel that casual passers-by wouldn't be privy to anyway. Combined with "code" words it would be nightmarishly difficult to pick up on "blind".

This very idea was used in a recent episode of "NCIS".

Abby & McGee had to figure out what in-game lingo or slang the bad guys were using to relay target and hit information...as well as money laundring details.

This episode: http://us.imdb.com/title/tt1256296/

- Ed C.