Has anyone every had there webserver investigated by the FBI? - GoFuckYourself.com

piker · 12-31-2004, 11:47 AM

I got an email from my hosting provider that the FBI had a search warrant and confiscated my HD. Just curious if anyone has any experience in this.

Please ICQ me 605104.

Thanks

StuartD · 12-31-2004, 11:48 AM

Could be time to look for a new line of work.

piker · 12-31-2004, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaskedMan

Could be time to look for a new line of work.

For sure, I got about 12 TGP's PR4+ and about 10+ other adult domains that im willing to part with... icq me if you want a good deal on them.

azguy · 12-31-2004, 11:50 AM

Ouch. I ran a hosting company years ago and one or two of my clients had pretty much the same experience with the FBI. As the hosting provider I had no powers to refuse anything once the warrant was in my hands. If you had anything to hide on the servers - you're fucked. There are no ways around it.

xclusive · 12-31-2004, 11:50 AM

Your fine as long as everything was on the up and up

Shoehorn! · 12-31-2004, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piker

I got an email from my hosting provider that the FBI had a search warrant and confiscated my HD. Just curious if anyone has any experience in this.

Please ICQ me 605104.

Thanks

That can't be good.

brand0n · 12-31-2004, 11:52 AM

as opposed to good?

Fuckin Bill · 12-31-2004, 11:55 AM

No offense meant, I sincerely hope everything turns out ok...

But announcing your under investigation and then saying you want to sell domains is going a bit backwards. I don't think anybody is going to want to touch those if the FBI has any interest in whatever you were doing. I know I wouldn't go near them.

erehwon · 12-31-2004, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piker

I got an email from my hosting provider that the FBI had a search warrant and confiscated my HD. Just curious if anyone has any experience in this.

Please ICQ me 605104.

Thanks

I haven't knowingly had any dealings with the FBI, (doesn't mean it hasn't happened

) but I have with a few others. I'm going to ICQ you someone that has lots of experience with this after sending this.

piker · 12-31-2004, 11:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fuckin Bill

No offense meant, I sincerely hope everything turns out ok...

But announcing your under investigation and then saying you want to sell domains is going a bit backwards. I don't think anybody is going to want to touch those if the FBI has any interest in whatever you were doing. I know I wouldn't go near them.

Point Taken, it costs me little to nothing to keep the domains, So if I dont get what i want out of them. I'll just keep them till i do.

But,
Thanks

iwantchixx · 12-31-2004, 12:02 PM

someone must have been doing something illegal

Trixie · 12-31-2004, 12:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piker

I got an email from my hosting provider that the FBI had a search warrant and confiscated my HD. Just curious if anyone has any experience in this.

Please ICQ me 605104.

Thanks

Sooo . . . . in the meantime does your host use a backup copy or let you upload your sites on another drive or are your sites down for the count while the FBI investigates? I'm curious how that works . . .

azguy · 12-31-2004, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trixie

Sooo . . . . in the meantime does your host use a backup copy or let you upload your sites on another drive or are your sites down for the count while the FBI investigates? I'm curious how that works . . .

It depends what the FBI demanded. They might even confiscate any backup media the provider kept and even prevent the host from accessing the data.

piker · 12-31-2004, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trixie

Sooo . . . . in the meantime does your host use a backup copy or let you upload your sites on another drive or are your sites down for the count while the FBI investigates? I'm curious how that works . . .

My host, had everything back up the way it was within 8 hours.. I personally took everything down. Seems to me the its not a good hobby anymore.

brand0n · 12-31-2004, 12:19 PM

what were you doing

Trixie · 12-31-2004, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azguy

It depends what the FBI demanded. They might even confiscate any backup media the provider kept and even prevent the host from accessing the data.

That's insane. I hope they had a "good" reason for it.

Thomas Jefferson · 12-31-2004, 12:22 PM

After you spent so much time arguing for Bush, I thought he was your friend?

Looks like you got exactly what you asked for!

Magg · 12-31-2004, 12:23 PM

they dont need to tell you a reason, trust me

piker · 12-31-2004, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brand0n

what were you doing

TGP's mainly, plus hosting to various other people...

piker · 12-31-2004, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thomas Jefferson

After you spent so much time arguing for Bush, I thought he was your friend?

Looks like you got exactly what you asked for!

LOL, yes i blame Bush for this.. its all his fault.. just like everything else that didnt go my way in life.

Thomas Jefferson · 12-31-2004, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piker

LOL, yes i blame Bush for this.. its all his fault.. just like everything else that didnt go my way in life.

You think the FBI would have targeted your server if the "War On Porn" was not part of his second term agenda?

Wake up buddy, your just the first in a long line to follow.

s9ann0 · 12-31-2004, 12:32 PM

yer I have had this apparently they tried to take a free hosting server away but they couldn't because I am from the UK I think it was an investigation into an ebay phisher who was using my freehost for scams

nofx · 12-31-2004, 12:34 PM

what/why did they have a warrent for exactly ?

Poland · 12-31-2004, 12:35 PM

why would the FBI target some tgp owner if he was doing nothing illegal? i think somethings being kept in the shadows here

brand0n · 12-31-2004, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piker

TGP's mainly, plus hosting to various other people...

ok, now what were you doing that the fbi might be wanting to talk to you?

SuckOnThis · 12-31-2004, 12:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by azguy

Ouch. I ran a hosting company years ago and one or two of my clients had pretty much the same experience with the FBI. As the hosting provider I had no powers to refuse anything once the warrant was in my hands. If you had anything to hide on the servers - you're fucked. There are no ways around it.

Wasnt Weinbar was it?

s9ann0 · 12-31-2004, 12:40 PM

man the FBI are stupid IMHO they tried to take my whole site: freewebsites.com freehost server away to get details on one phisher they never contacted me I would have given them whatever they wanted of course

I think they are under pressure to crack down on "cyber crime" so they are doing shit like this

arg · 12-31-2004, 01:29 PM

They needed some reason, in order to get the warrant. It could certainly be an erroneous reason, like thinking Tawnee Stone was a minor or something, but they're looking for something. The paperwork the agents have to do for this is considerable, the computer forensics labs are always backlogged, and nobody likes working on dead-end cases, so they don't sieze computers frivolously.

It sounds to me like you're not worried about what they'll find on the server, and if you've done nothing wrong, you're in good shape. Even if you are innocent though, I would still suggest preparing seriously for visit.

Personally I'd retain an attorney, and have them contact the ISP and agents to see what can be learned. But even if you don't do that, at least do some housecleaning: get rid of anything you may have that's of questionable/dubious legality, including questionable/illegal firearms, unusual ammo, drugs (including old prescription drugs that might have belonged to an ex roommate or something), periphernalia (roach clips, rolling paper), old disks or data that could be problematic (including purchased content from defunct/shaky sources), or anything else you can think of. Do the same for vehicles, an outside office if you have one, your garage, etc.

Copy important data from your computer (phone numbers, passwords, tax info, etc.) and give it to a friend, and expect that you may never get the data back if they have a warrant to sieze your computer. They may take your storage media and peripherals too.

Mentally prepare for the visit too. They'll probably wake you up at 6am with the loudest knock you've ever heard. You're going to be disoriented, and they'll be very intimidating, so your adrenaline will impair your judgement. Plan ahead so you don't have to think as much as on the spot. If they don't have a search warrant, don't let them in, regardless of their persuasive talk ("well we can do it the easy way or the hard way," or "we can talk to you here or down at the station," etc.)...if they didn't get a warrant already, there's a reason. They may have a warrant as a backup, hoping that you'll volunteer to a house search, which could broaden the scope of what they can use. The only question you should answer is to confirm your name/identity. If they "just want to ask a few questions," refer them to your attorney, or if you don't have one, just stick to the line "if you don't have warrant, leave your card and I'll have my attorney contact you." Even if they have a search warrant, don't answer questions - just let them search. Ignore the nice agent just trying to strike up a friendly conversation.

In the unlikely event they have an arrest warrant, then REALLY don't answer questions, not until you have an attorney present, no matter what the agents say. If they visit late Friday afternoon, they may be choosing the timing to arrest you in a way to make you spend more time in jail before you can be arraigned or post bond (courts are closed, everything slows down on weekends, etc.)...they can use this to try and persuade you to talk sooner. Again, do NOT talk without an attorney present, just deal with it.

If you have a roommate or girlfriend or whatever who might have anything illegal where you live, or in a vehicle on your property, tell them what's going on now.

arg · 12-31-2004, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by piker

TGP's mainly, plus hosting to various other people...

Uh oh. Hosting to various other people? If you haven't already, I'd start scouring through the backup files of those other people to see what the feds are going to see.

Screaming · 12-31-2004, 01:33 PM

get a lawyer and be prepared for whatever can be handed to you, even if you havent dont anything wrong

12-31-2004, 11:47 AM	#1
piker Confirmed User Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 597	Has anyone every had there webserver investigated by the FBI? I got an email from my hosting provider that the FBI had a search warrant and confiscated my HD. Just curious if anyone has any experience in this. Please ICQ me 605104. Thanks __________________ IcooCash - DVD Content for your TGP Cheap FreeBSD Virtual Hosting ICQ me at 605104 for Custom PHP/MySQL Programming

12-31-2004, 11:48 AM	#2
StuartD Sofa King Band Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Outside the box Posts: 29,903	Could be time to look for a new line of work. __________________ This is me on facebook This is me on twitter

12-31-2004, 11:50 AM	#5
xclusive Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 35,218	Your fine as long as everything was on the up and up __________________ I support MediumPimpin.com / Shemp's Outlawtgp.com /

12-31-2004, 11:52 AM	#7
brand0n been very busy Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: the queen city Posts: 26,983	as opposed to good? __________________ want to buy this spot for cheap? it is of course for sale. long term deals are always the best bet. brand0n/ at/ a o l dot commies.

12-31-2004, 12:19 PM	#15
brand0n been very busy Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: the queen city Posts: 26,983	what were you doing __________________ want to buy this spot for cheap? it is of course for sale. long term deals are always the best bet. brand0n/ at/ a o l dot commies.

12-31-2004, 11:50 AM	#4
azguy Confirmed User Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Posts: 5,167	Ouch. I ran a hosting company years ago and one or two of my clients had pretty much the same experience with the FBI. As the hosting provider I had no powers to refuse anything once the warrant was in my hands. If you had anything to hide on the servers - you're fucked. There are no ways around it.

12-31-2004, 11:55 AM	#8
Fuckin Bill Confirmed User Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,020	No offense meant, I sincerely hope everything turns out ok... But announcing your under investigation and then saying you want to sell domains is going a bit backwards. I don't think anybody is going to want to touch those if the FBI has any interest in whatever you were doing. I know I wouldn't go near them.

12-31-2004, 12:02 PM	#11
iwantchixx Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: The Boonies Posts: 12,860	someone must have been doing something illegal

12-31-2004, 12:22 PM	#17
Thomas Jefferson Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Up Here Posts: 36	After you spent so much time arguing for Bush, I thought he was your friend? Looks like you got exactly what you asked for!

12-31-2004, 12:23 PM	#18
Magg Confirmed User Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: ICQ: 132497047 Posts: 4,467	they dont need to tell you a reason, trust me

12-31-2004, 12:32 PM	#22
s9ann0 Confirmed User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Boston Posts: 4,873	yer I have had this apparently they tried to take a free hosting server away but they couldn't because I am from the UK I think it was an investigation into an ebay phisher who was using my freehost for scams

12-31-2004, 12:34 PM	#23
nofx Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Virgin Mary's womb Posts: 16,826	what/why did they have a warrent for exactly ? __________________ Often times I wonder why There's love and hate, theres live or die. When sickness comes I must decide: When feelings go, theres suicide.

12-31-2004, 12:35 PM	#24
Poland Confirmed User Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 117	why would the FBI target some tgp owner if he was doing nothing illegal? i think somethings being kept in the shadows here __________________ Dream Submitter - The best damn submitter, period. 315-695-891

12-31-2004, 12:40 PM	#27
s9ann0 Confirmed User Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: Boston Posts: 4,873	man the FBI are stupid IMHO they tried to take my whole site: freewebsites.com freehost server away to get details on one phisher they never contacted me I would have given them whatever they wanted of course I think they are under pressure to crack down on "cyber crime" so they are doing shit like this

12-31-2004, 01:29 PM	#28
arg Confirmed User Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 1,164	They needed some reason, in order to get the warrant. It could certainly be an erroneous reason, like thinking Tawnee Stone was a minor or something, but they're looking for something. The paperwork the agents have to do for this is considerable, the computer forensics labs are always backlogged, and nobody likes working on dead-end cases, so they don't sieze computers frivolously. It sounds to me like you're not worried about what they'll find on the server, and if you've done nothing wrong, you're in good shape. Even if you are innocent though, I would still suggest preparing seriously for visit. Personally I'd retain an attorney, and have them contact the ISP and agents to see what can be learned. But even if you don't do that, at least do some housecleaning: get rid of anything you may have that's of questionable/dubious legality, including questionable/illegal firearms, unusual ammo, drugs (including old prescription drugs that might have belonged to an ex roommate or something), periphernalia (roach clips, rolling paper), old disks or data that could be problematic (including purchased content from defunct/shaky sources), or anything else you can think of. Do the same for vehicles, an outside office if you have one, your garage, etc. Copy important data from your computer (phone numbers, passwords, tax info, etc.) and give it to a friend, and expect that you may never get the data back if they have a warrant to sieze your computer. They may take your storage media and peripherals too. Mentally prepare for the visit too. They'll probably wake you up at 6am with the loudest knock you've ever heard. You're going to be disoriented, and they'll be very intimidating, so your adrenaline will impair your judgement. Plan ahead so you don't have to think as much as on the spot. If they don't have a search warrant, don't let them in, regardless of their persuasive talk ("well we can do it the easy way or the hard way," or "we can talk to you here or down at the station," etc.)...if they didn't get a warrant already, there's a reason. They may have a warrant as a backup, hoping that you'll volunteer to a house search, which could broaden the scope of what they can use. The only question you should answer is to confirm your name/identity. If they "just want to ask a few questions," refer them to your attorney, or if you don't have one, just stick to the line "if you don't have warrant, leave your card and I'll have my attorney contact you." Even if they have a search warrant, don't answer questions - just let them search. Ignore the nice agent just trying to strike up a friendly conversation. In the unlikely event they have an arrest warrant, then REALLY don't answer questions, not until you have an attorney present, no matter what the agents say. If they visit late Friday afternoon, they may be choosing the timing to arrest you in a way to make you spend more time in jail before you can be arraigned or post bond (courts are closed, everything slows down on weekends, etc.)...they can use this to try and persuade you to talk sooner. Again, do NOT talk without an attorney present, just deal with it. If you have a roommate or girlfriend or whatever who might have anything illegal where you live, or in a vehicle on your property, tell them what's going on now.

12-31-2004, 01:33 PM	#30
Screaming I can change this!!!!! Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 18,972	get a lawyer and be prepared for whatever can be handed to you, even if you havent dont anything wrong __________________