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Topic: Was Paymium really hacked? Or are they running a scam? Latter appearing likely. (Read 7140 times)

legendary
Activity: 1918
Merit: 1570
Bitcoin: An Idea Worth Spending
@naphto: Thanks a lot for that link. At first glance, and with my limited French, it looks legitimate. Of course it could be doctored, but publicly uploading a photoshopped police document when you are a legally registered finance service provider would be a very bad idea. Also, looks like it was indeed filed with the French "cybercrime department" (not a literal translation), like Boussac said earlier.

Too bad that Paymium has a horrible way of communicating their decisions lately. A few days ago, I wrote an extremely polite (and not too long) PM to Boussac, asking for a scan of the police report, before deciding whether to open an account at bitcoin-central and transfering a substantial amount of Euro to them. Never got a reply, so I took my business to bitstamp instead. :/


@Phinnaeus: Jeez, could you perhaps dial it down, just a tad? I mean, your posts usually are pretty entertaining, but you're not helping anybody (including yourself) with your method. One moment, you're all official "Dear Mr Boussac, I politely request that you upload...", only to be followed up, in BRIGHT RED LETTERS, by something like "Hey Boussac, you fucked me in the ass and now you don't even go for a reach-around, what the hell?". I get it, responses by Paymium are frustrating (and I didn't even lose money or time to them), but it'd probably be more helpful to make up your mind if you want to address things seriously or go for a vulgar style.


@Boussac/Paymium: Your company's communication with the public is terrible.  You really need someone to do better PR for you, for example by speaking for your company on this forum. I remember that davout was pretty good at it, but he probably has more important things to do at the moment.

Please consider hiring someone for that role (communicating properly, and in time, with your customers and potential customers), or set aside some time to do it each day.

I can guarantee you, you lost several potential customers for bitcoin-central because of that problem, and it's kind of sad, because I actually like the approach you're taking with bitcoin-central, trying to legitimize bitcoin trading by registering your business in France, and partnering with aqoba.

Looks like heeding your advice didn't help either. I'm still out 1,132+ BTC (claiming 1,123+ BTC due to a lapse in memory, giving InstaWallet the benefit of the doubt).

Three wallets were submitted on the very first day that option was available, in spite of glitches. One wallet contained exactly 1,000 BTC. The second wallet contained either 132 or 123 BTC, albeit I believe it's the former, but claimed the latter. The third wallet contained exactly 0.835 BTC of which can be viewed here: https://www.instawallet.org/w/sMceOus2wYrDVAHxA5BssBwB7kgDqC9r4Q

Neither one of those two claims are mine, and am not sure if my claim is included among those two, even though not shown publicly.

The other two IW URLs are:

https://www.instawallet.org/w/rL2DhMWW9tDvs24oFwtiq99zhh7A3ii6bg
https://www.instawallet.org/w/gZh1afVVl5aAtjNwXo0BiYChTxjwln33ab

Up until recently, I've learnt that the final part of the URL is what's considered the key, in spite of trying figure out what was meant by a key each time it was used by Team InstaWallet, namely Boussac, in the main IW threads.

I've since resubmitted claims to the two IW accounts above and have yet received a single email sent to me from anybody at InstaWallet stemming all the way back to when I first submitted all three claims.

The disputed 1Jpp... wallet I am unable to resubmit a claim, for it's locked with no such options available.

We are now 8 months out since the hack, and I was assuming that I would be returned my bitcoins at some point after the 90 day period due to the size of two of the claims, with no problem receiving the smaller wallet early on since I was one of the first, I believe, to submit a claim(s).

To date, in spite again of a myriad of requests, no InstaWallet principle has share with us who their independent auditor is/was, though there's no reason for this information to remain secret.

All three of these claims are legitimate and, according to the "block chain", as far as I can ascertain, InstaWallet has more than enough in their coffer to pay back what is rightfully mine.

This has gone on far enough, and I've held my vitriol attacks, mostly, due to the fine post of which I've quoted above. My next course of action may consist of a full dox of all principles involve in the scam section, and perhaps elsewhere, if this is not resolved immediately.

Apologies, if the above comes across as a threat, but currently I'm left with few options, seeing that I've yet received any communications from any principles of InstaWallet.

Bruno Kucinskas
legendary
Activity: 1918
Merit: 1570
Bitcoin: An Idea Worth Spending
Was Paymium really hacked? Or are they running a scam? Latter appearing likely.

Hey, being a hacker is the most profitable and stress-free job in Bitcoin world. And you almost never get caught.

Being a BITCOINICA hacker is the most profitable and stress free job in the world, and you never get caught.

This post brought to you one of a handful of guys who are trying to exploit the situation of which Boussac has proven to be utmost forthcoming.
hero member
Activity: 868
Merit: 1000
I can guarantee you, you lost several potential customers for bitcoin-central because of that problem, and it's kind of sad, because I actually like the approach you're taking with bitcoin-central, trying to legitimize bitcoin trading by registering your business in France, and partnering with aqoba.

Yes, there's a warning put up here for Norwegian users as well:
http://bitcoin-norge.org/w/index.php?title=Bitcoin-Central
legendary
Activity: 1918
Merit: 1570
Bitcoin: An Idea Worth Spending
I don't have any trouble seeing the file.

http://hebergement-pdf.com/mypdf.php?n=630

Can see it now - thanks.

Did Boussac post a link to this in the forums?

How did you come to find this?

Boussac posted it in the French section ( https://bitcointalksearch.org/topic/suspension-du-service-instawallet-processus-de-remboursement-179224 ).

Oddly, I replied to that post, but didn't click the link, for I thought he was just linking to the police department site again.

Quote
@Phinnaeus: Jeez, could you perhaps dial it down, just a tad? I mean, your posts usually are pretty entertaining, but you're not helping anybody (including yourself) with your method. One moment, you're all official "Dear Mr Boussac, I politely request that you upload...", only to be followed up, in BRIGHT RED LETTERS, by something like "Hey Boussac, you fucked me in the ass and now you don't even go for a reach-around, what the hell?". I get it, responses by Paymium are frustrating (and I didn't even lose money or time to them), but it'd probably be more helpful to make up your mind if you want to address things seriously or go for a vulgar style.

Noted! It's just that I don't have any experience in losing a vast amount of money before, albeit doling out over $20K due to the Bitcoinia episode, indirectly (I had no funds with them), could have prepared me for this much bigger lost, directly.

As shown, the requests were mostly civil in nature at the onset, but at some point I've went overboard. I apologize for not apologizing, and appreciate the tone used in your statement directed toward me.

As you can imagine, this episode is now taking a tow on my personal well-being, business- and health-wise, though trying to be level-headed, with resorting to logic and humor to maintain my senses, tossing in vulgarity for good measure, but seeing now it best to scale that back a tad.

Hopefully, the vulgar that's in place will act as a warning to those who come after us and deal with this unprofessional individuals. (<---note, toning it down just doesn't seem to cut the mustard)

Most here have seen this exact approach in the past, all to no avail, yet we are now being led to believe that this time it will be different--just wait 90 days, and in my case possibly a helluva lot longer.

I've spent countless hours conducting research via the internet, posting my findings so that fellow bitcoiners don't get burned, coupled with helping them hunt down certain culprits. Ironically, I was doing just that when I opted to putting my wealth in a more secure place on hold to protect others. I'm not complaining, and will continue to do it, but it's now coming at a tremendous expense.

As a reward, I'm put on ignore by a Frenchman who possibly will live a comfortable life thanks to my ignorance and inaction.

Madness!
sr. member
Activity: 392
Merit: 250
full member
Activity: 196
Merit: 100
legendary
Activity: 1470
Merit: 1007
@naphto: Thanks a lot for that link. At first glance, and with my limited French, it looks legitimate. Of course it could be doctored, but publicly uploading a photoshopped police document when you are a legally registered finance service provider would be a very bad idea. Also, looks like it was indeed filed with the French "cybercrime department" (not a literal translation), like Boussac said earlier.

Too bad that Paymium has a horrible way of communicating their decisions lately. A few days ago, I wrote an extremely polite (and not too long) PM to Boussac, asking for a scan of the police report, before deciding whether to open an account at bitcoin-central and transfering a substantial amount of Euro to them. Never got a reply, so I took my business to bitstamp instead. :/


@Phinnaeus: Jeez, could you perhaps dial it down, just a tad? I mean, your posts usually are pretty entertaining, but you're not helping anybody (including yourself) with your method. One moment, you're all official "Dear Mr Boussac, I politely request that you upload...", only to be followed up, in BRIGHT RED LETTERS, by something like "Hey Boussac, you fucked me in the ass and now you don't even go for a reach-around, what the hell?". I get it, responses by Paymium are frustrating (and I didn't even lose money or time to them), but it'd probably be more helpful to make up your mind if you want to address things seriously or go for a vulgar style.


@Boussac/Paymium: Your company's communication with the public is terrible.  You really need someone to do better PR for you, for example by speaking for your company on this forum. I remember that davout was pretty good at it, but he probably has more important things to do at the moment.

Please consider hiring someone for that role (communicating properly, and in time, with your customers and potential customers), or set aside some time to do it each day.

I can guarantee you, you lost several potential customers for bitcoin-central because of that problem, and it's kind of sad, because I actually like the approach you're taking with bitcoin-central, trying to legitimize bitcoin trading by registering your business in France, and partnering with aqoba.
legendary
Activity: 1918
Merit: 1570
Bitcoin: An Idea Worth Spending
He showed that file, but I can't tell if it is a real one or not...


http://www.e-ducat.fr/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/recepisse-declaration-Paymium-BEFTI-avril2013-4.pdf

Can't access...

Can you also provide a link to where he communicated that that information was available?

I can access it.  It gives an incident number so it should be easy to verify its authenticity.

One worrying thing about the report is that it says the intrusion occurred between 1 March 2013 and 31 March 2013 - which suggests they don't know exactly when it happened.



Obviously, he just put it up, for Google has yet to index it as they've done with previous /wp-content/ urls of his site.

The bastard doesn't even have the balls (because they're tiny French ones) to come here and let the community know he put it up. The same community that he's profited from and wants to stick it up our asses.

So, the crime happened between March 1 and March 30. That really narrowed it down for the police department. Speaking of which, this is not really the police department, but an agency that acts as a liaison of sorts for internet related crimes. (at least that's the best I can ascertain what they do)

I look forward to reading what somebody who speaks French learns when they call the number and sees what they can find out.

~Bruno K~
hero member
Activity: 686
Merit: 500
Wat
 The crooks never sleep and neither does Clouseau.

hero member
Activity: 868
Merit: 1000
He showed that file, but I can't tell if it is a real one or not...


http://www.e-ducat.fr/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/recepisse-declaration-Paymium-BEFTI-avril2013-4.pdf

Can't access...

Can you also provide a link to where he communicated that that information was available?

I can access it.  It gives an incident number so it should be easy to verify its authenticity.

One worrying thing about the report is that it says the intrusion occurred between 1 March 2013 and 31 March 2013 - which suggests they don't know exactly when it happened.

full member
Activity: 172
Merit: 100
I don't have any trouble seeing the file.

http://hebergement-pdf.com/mypdf.php?n=630

Can see it now - thanks.

Did Boussac post a link to this in the forums?

How did you come to find this?
sr. member
Activity: 392
Merit: 250
full member
Activity: 172
Merit: 100
He showed that file, but I can't tell if it is a real one or not...


http://www.e-ducat.fr/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/recepisse-declaration-Paymium-BEFTI-avril2013-4.pdf

Can't access...

Can you also provide a link to where he communicated that that information was available?
sr. member
Activity: 392
Merit: 250
legendary
Activity: 1204
Merit: 1001
RUM AND CARROTS: A PIRATE LIFE FOR ME
Quick question- why doesn't someone just go find the guy? Paris isn't very remote. If people care- they should just go there.

EDIT: Or at least hire a private detective. There are plenty in Paris.
legendary
Activity: 1918
Merit: 1570
Bitcoin: An Idea Worth Spending
Quote
It's not much but at least somebody is admitting that they received our bitcoins and claims that they will eventually be returned.

I don't care for going another round, for this time I have real money at stake.



I asked for a simple police report number and what do I get? The current owner of my bitcoins, in no uncertain terms (maybe even certain), tells me to go fuck myself by sticking it up my ass.

I got an idea. I can start a bit stating that he'll pay, and when he doesn't deliver I'll be the one who'll get the scammer tag.

This is fucked up on so many levels, I'm beside myself.
newbie
Activity: 33
Merit: 0
I'm sick of all this bitcoin scamming!  I still expect to get my bitcoins back from Instawallet but I try to keep a positive outlook.   It's not much but at least somebody is admitting that they received our bitcoins and claims that they will eventually be returned.  Many supposedly reputable businesses will just steal your money and lie to your face and even call you a liar and claim you are trying to steal from them.
legendary
Activity: 1918
Merit: 1570
Bitcoin: An Idea Worth Spending
This is Boussac's response when you ask for a police report number:

Unignore

I see how the game is played now: Hack your own sites, claim money was stolen, claim to fill out a police report, ignore all requests from those who entrusted you with their assets, then call them trolls for requesting a simple number to set them at ease.

You sir, are one sick mother fucker!

Couldn't agree more...

All ease aside, the one hint is the lack of a police report number (and possibly them being one sick motherfuckers).

Ignore



legendary
Activity: 892
Merit: 1013
Boussac,

And just for the record...

Please state who the "independent auditors" are that are conducting "computer forensic analysis" on the alleged "hack".

And please state what they have discovered so far. I'm sure your clients are interested.

I need confirmation of your refusal to answer this (another) direct question as well for my statement...

Have a nice day Wink
this.
I'm not sure the bitcoin business ecosystem have really understood the difference between cash and bitcoin.
With bitcoin unlike with normal cash, when you got a troube YOU are the main suspect. Because YOU are the one that has the biggest incentive to profit out of this hack. This imply that you have to be cristal clear about any move you do mainly in crisis time because otherwise it s gona look suspicious.

i believe they are honest for some reason now i also believe this all shit was not handled very professionally and i vastly support op. Not being clear in a bitcoin business is VERY unprofessional.

It's not innocent until proven guilty it's the other way round.
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