Grand Theft UPS: copies of GTA stolen en route to retailers - GoFuckYourself.com

Barefootsies · 04-28-2008, 07:16 AM

After reporting on the hype and controversy surrounding the Tuesday release of Grand Theft Auto IV, I can't believe I'm going to write a "this game causes crime!" story, but here we go. I spoke to an employee of UPS over the weekend, and he told me that a surprising amount of workers were getting busted stealing the game from the shipment boxes. In one 24-hour period, three workers were fired, and more interviews were scheduled for today that would likely end in termination.

I asked if this was common when big-name games were released, and he told me no; the situation was novel, or he wouldn't have brought it up at all. The game was enticing enough for many workers to risk losing their job and, in typical fashion for low-level crimes like this, it has been easy to identify the workers stealing the games.
"When we have a [big name release], we communicate it to operations and security teams. We have security in place at the facilities, and we make sure they understand to keep an eye out for things to exit the building," he explained. How did they find where games were stolen? "We had tips from people inside, and some of them were discovered at intermediate hubs... it's easy to spot: flaps torn, some boxes are re-taped." In most cases, the bust is as easy as finding the last person who scanned the box as full and interviewing them.

"They're not selling them, these people are stealing one copy," he told me?all of the thefts seem to be for personal use. It seems many people think stealing a game a few days before release is worth it, and this is far from the perfect crime.

"As long as the people loading the packages are doing their jobs, it's easy to track down," our source told Ars. "It's kind of funny, isn't it? It's a game about theft, and people are stealing it." His eyes began to shine as he said, "and I get to terminate them."

http://arstechnica.com/journals/thum...e-to-retailers

idtapdat · 04-28-2008, 07:39 AM

amazing they already waited this long

MTCCash Tim · 04-28-2008, 07:41 AM

im looking forward to it, yeah,,but to steal it just to play a couple days early ..ah no..brainless

Casa Nova · 04-28-2008, 07:46 AM

lmafo what morons.

woj · 04-28-2008, 08:00 AM

jeez, it's just a game...

MichelleB · 04-28-2008, 08:07 AM

LOL some people just have no patients.

The Duck · 04-28-2008, 08:13 AM

sucks to be them

markz08 · 04-28-2008, 08:48 AM

been waiting for that game for a long time, i just wish they won;t get mad and hold the release ;)

CurrentlySober · 04-28-2008, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ARS Michelle

LOL some people just have no patients.

Unless some of those 'some people' happen to be Doctors and Nurses, in which case they may well have a few...

candyflip · 04-28-2008, 08:51 AM

It's been on the torrents for a week now. They'll still sell more copies than any other game ever.

GAMEFINEST · 04-28-2008, 08:54 AM

now they can play all day long

C-Bass · 04-28-2008, 10:12 AM

that game aint even taht good....

Sosa · 04-28-2008, 10:36 AM

haha, i'll be grabbing it tonight

farkedup · 04-28-2008, 11:42 AM

UPS is one of the best jobs for unskilled laborers, they won't have a problem finding new employees... Hope those guys fired have fun working at wal-mart (which will be easier to steal from)

Barefootsies · 04-28-2008, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by farkedup

UPS is one of the best jobs for unskilled laborers, they won't have a problem finding new employees... Hope those guys fired have fun working at wal-mart (which will be easier to steal from)

04-28-2008, 07:16 AM	#1
Barefootsies Choice is an Illusion Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Land of Obama Posts: 42,635	Grand Theft UPS: copies of GTA stolen en route to retailers After reporting on the hype and controversy surrounding the Tuesday release of Grand Theft Auto IV, I can't believe I'm going to write a "this game causes crime!" story, but here we go. I spoke to an employee of UPS over the weekend, and he told me that a surprising amount of workers were getting busted stealing the game from the shipment boxes. In one 24-hour period, three workers were fired, and more interviews were scheduled for today that would likely end in termination. I asked if this was common when big-name games were released, and he told me no; the situation was novel, or he wouldn't have brought it up at all. The game was enticing enough for many workers to risk losing their job and, in typical fashion for low-level crimes like this, it has been easy to identify the workers stealing the games. "When we have a [big name release], we communicate it to operations and security teams. We have security in place at the facilities, and we make sure they understand to keep an eye out for things to exit the building," he explained. How did they find where games were stolen? "We had tips from people inside, and some of them were discovered at intermediate hubs... it's easy to spot: flaps torn, some boxes are re-taped." In most cases, the bust is as easy as finding the last person who scanned the box as full and interviewing them. "They're not selling them, these people are stealing one copy," he told me?all of the thefts seem to be for personal use. It seems many people think stealing a game a few days before release is worth it, and this is far from the perfect crime. "As long as the people loading the packages are doing their jobs, it's easy to track down," our source told Ars. "It's kind of funny, isn't it? It's a game about theft, and people are stealing it." His eyes began to shine as he said, "and I get to terminate them." http://arstechnica.com/journals/thum...e-to-retailers __________________ Should You Email Your Members? Link1 \| Link2 \| Link3 Enough Said. "Would you rather live like a king for a year or like a prince forever?"

04-28-2008, 07:39 AM	#2
idtapdat Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: miami Posts: 1,161	amazing they already waited this long __________________ icq - 473556037

04-28-2008, 07:41 AM	#3
MTCCash Tim Confirmed User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Tampa FL Posts: 181	im looking forward to it, yeah,,but to steal it just to play a couple days early ..ah no..brainless __________________ ICQ: 431555157 skype: tim.chirillo

04-28-2008, 07:46 AM	#4
Casa Nova Confirmed User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 2,867	lmafo what morons. __________________ ICQ: 405 009 573

04-28-2008, 08:00 AM	#5
woj <&(©¿©)&> Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Chicago Posts: 47,882	jeez, it's just a game... __________________ Custom Software Development, email: woj#at#wojfun#.#com to discuss details or skype: wojl2000 or gchat: wojfun or telegram: wojl2000 Affiliate program tools: Hosted Galleries Manager Banner Manager Video Manager Wordpress Affiliate Plugin Pic/Movie of the Day Fansign Generator Zip Manager

04-28-2008, 08:07 AM	#6
MichelleB Confirmed User Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: mich Posts: 1,146	LOL some people just have no patients.

04-28-2008, 08:13 AM	#7
The Duck Adult Content Provider Industry Role: Join Date: May 2005 Location: Europe Posts: 18,243	sucks to be them __________________ Skype Horusmaia ICQ 41555245 Email [email protected]

04-28-2008, 08:48 AM	#8
markz08 Confirmed User Join Date: Jan 2007 Posts: 735	been waiting for that game for a long time, i just wish they won;t get mad and hold the release ;) __________________ Sextoys - Sex Toy Store - Sextoys by the thousands at this awesome sex toy store. Find everything you're looking for. Sexy Girls in Panties

04-28-2008, 08:51 AM	#10
candyflip Carpe Visio Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: New York Posts: 43,064	It's been on the torrents for a week now. They'll still sell more copies than any other game ever. __________________ Spend you some brain. Email Me

04-28-2008, 08:54 AM	#11
GAMEFINEST Make STACK$ Industry Role: Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: sexy time Posts: 14,437	now they can play all day long __________________ Compound interest.

04-28-2008, 10:12 AM	#12
C-Bass Confirmed User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: th3 1nt3Rwebz Posts: 3,153	that game aint even taht good.... __________________ "Unhappy with the riches 'cause you're piss poor morally." Trade traffic? - Highdef Blog

04-28-2008, 10:36 AM	#13
Sosa In Tushy Land Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Nebraska Posts: 40,149	haha, i'll be grabbing it tonight

04-28-2008, 11:42 AM	#14
farkedup Confirmed User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 2,490	UPS is one of the best jobs for unskilled laborers, they won't have a problem finding new employees... Hope those guys fired have fun working at wal-mart (which will be easier to steal from) __________________ -- QUOTE ME IT MAKES ME FEEL SPECIAL --