2009, ISBN: 9781156181850

Purchase includes free access to book updates online and a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: … More...

Purchase includes free access to book updates online and a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Pranknet is a Canadian-based anonymous prank calling virtual community responsible for damage to hotels and fast food restaurants of more than $60,000 as well as multiple instances of telephone harassment. It was founded by "Skream9" in 2000, later referred to himself as "Dex" (alleged to be a Canadian Purchase includes free access to book updates online and a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Pranknet is a Canadian-based anonymous prank calling virtual community responsible for damage to hotels and fast food restaurants of more than $60,000 as well as multiple instances of telephone harassment. It was founded by "Skream9" in 2000, later referred to himself as "Dex" (alleged to be a Canadian man named Tariq Malik). The group has been linked to nearly 60 separate incidents. Posing as authority figures, such as fire alarm company representatives and hotel corporate managers, Pranknet participants called unsuspecting employees and customers in the United States and tricked them into damaging property, setting off fire sprinklers and other humiliating acts such as disrobing. Pranknet members can listen in real-time and discuss the progress together in a private chat room. A wave of the pranks across the United States prompted internal alerts by Choice Hotels, as well as advisories by the Orange County, Florida Sherriff's office, and others. Law enforcement officials from a number of jurisdictions are currently investigating the various incidents, but no information has been given as to whether the Royal Canadian Mounted Police will begin an investigation. The Federal Bureau of Investigation has been investigating the various incidents as well as the identity of "Dex". Pranknet participants use Skype to make their calls. As of 2009, Skype provides an uncontrolled registration system for users with absolutely no proof of identity, permitting users to use the system in an anonymous and difficult-to-trace manner. Members chat before, during, and after each prank via Beyluxe Messenger, which is owned and operated outside North America. Audiences range from 40 to 200 people at any given time. Prior to using Beyluxe, Pranknet used Paltalk f. More: Books, , Hoaxes-in-Canada~~Books-LLC, , , , , , , , , , General Books LLC<