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Links: FBI Doesn't Understand Computer Games
Posted by James Grimmelmann on Monday, May 10 @ 13:45:02 EDT Oddities
U.S. News and World Report reports the following, mind-boggling, anecdote:
It was the lead item on the government's daily threat matrix one day last April. Don Emilio Fulci described by an FBI tipster as a reclusive but evil millionaire, had formed a terrorist group that was planning chemical attacks against London and Washington, D.C. That day even FBI director Robert Mueller was briefed on the Fulci matter. But as the day went on without incident, a White House staffer had a brainstorm: He Googled Fulci. His findings: Fulci is the crime boss in the popular video game Headhunter. "Stand down," came the order from embarrassed national security types.
I'd like to know whether this "tipster" was actually a bored teenager making a prank call or a very clever marketer at Sega.
 
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FBI Doesn't Understand Computer Games

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Re: FBI Doesn't Understand Computer Games (Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 11 @ 10:23:00 EDT
Supposing it was a bored teenager, a marketer, or someone else who knew that Don Fulci didn't exist - isn't filing a false tip like that pretty seriously illegal? I don't know how the culprit could be caught or prosecuted, but it seems like deliberately wasting the FBI's time like that should be criminal mischief at least.


[ Reply to This ]


Reminds me of the Steve Jackson games incident (Score: 0)
by Anonymous on Tuesday, May 11 @ 13:24:47 EDT
FBI types don't seem to understand the difference between "real" and "pretend". :)


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