MMO swindler uses space capitalism to steal $22,300 in record-breaking heist
An EVE Online player has managed to steal an estimated $22,000 worth of assets from one of the space MMO's myriad corporations, all because of an arcane rule and somewhat negligent management.
Reddit user Flam_Hill lays out the entirety of their plan on EVE Online's dedicated subreddit (opens in new tab), explaining that they created a new "clean account with a character with a little history" to apply to a 299-member corporation with minimally active leadership that they had shares in, all with an unnamed accomplice in tow. Event Horizon Expeditionaries' seldom-seen top brass proved to be a blessing and a curse as it took a while for the application to be accepted, though it ultimately allowed for the heist to be carried out.
Once Hill's infiltrating account was accepted, they transferred enough shares from their main account to take advantage of an old rule to trigger a vote for a new CEO. As the corporation was barely active, the conspirators were the only people to vote.
A mere 72 hours later, Flan_Hill's bogus account was made the CEO, which gave them the power to make their original account a director. With the cunning manoeuvre carried out, Flan_Hill then cleared out the coffers to net 130 billion ISK. Throw in all the corporation's assets, which include large ships and the like, and Flan_Hill reckons you're looking at 2.23 trillion ISK in total value.
The EVE Online fan further speculates that amounts to $22,300 in actual money, though it's worth noting that EVE Online's official currency can't be cashed out into the real world. That said, you can use it to buy another in-game currency called Plex that can be used to upgrade accounts or purchase other virtual goodies.
The deception is legitimate, too, as
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