Ashley Mitchell
Mitchell transferred 400 billion virtual play chips to his own account and planned to sell them on the black market at a rate of £430 per billion. Selling the whole would mean £184,000 profit for him at such a rate, however, it would worth $12 million if Zynga sold it. He already made £53,000 until he was arrested.
Judge Philip Wassall said Mitchell faces jail sentence for his 'sophisticated' offenses. It also turned out he breached his later suspended sentence. He hacked into the Torbay Council website in 2008 and managed to change his personal details, which benefited him £3,498. He was given a 40-week suspended sentence.
Zynga has not been deprived of goods the same way as it would happen in case of a normal fraud, since everything was virtual, they can always issue more - comments prosecutor Gareth Evans. However, this case might have an impact on the reputation of Zynga as a company, leading to users' reluctance to purchase play chips.
Mitchell faced 5 charges, which are contrary to the Computer Misuse Act. He pleaded guilty to four counts of converting criminal property. Mitchell stays remanded until a date for the verdict is fixed.
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