AT&T bust   by Defcon 5 BBS

On 3-24-94 Sysop of Defcon 5 BBS in Shelton Washinton, Missileman received a call from AT&T Investigators informing him that his line has been monitored, for the accumulation of over 240,000 dollars in fraudulant phone charges. Shortly following a similar call was placed to The Prophecy Sysop of Future Shock BBS. In a stroke of luck, both sysops began moving their equipment and software to safer places. Shortly following a joint visit was paid to both residents from members of the FBI, AT&T Investigators and Representatives of Microsoft. After a thourough search of both homes, and lengthy questioning (Under Warrant), both have been released under their own recognisance. Neither Sysops had increminating evidence present. All Caller log, accounts, and software of both boards is safe. After further discussion with authorities, attorneys of both party's have obtained documents disclosing the source of the informant, who was responsible for both parties. Because of co-operation of the informant and a ongoing investigation, they asked that all information pertaining to both investigations be blacked out. Both sysops have been issued gag orders not to discuss any details of their conversation. Under penalty of legal actions both have talked with me, and disclosed what they know of the raids. I am writing this text to let you know, that the two busts were a small scale test case to try the waters for an ongoing national investigation by the above listed agencies to close down as many Bulletin Board Systems and the users of them. The FBI has obtained extensive captures from a informant who is heavily into the scene, and runs a major board in the 206 area code. Under the front of the board, the FBI hopes to catch as many Long Distance Calling Card Abusers as possible. The Sysop of this board has made extensive captures of all boards he has access to as well as the activities of the users of BBS. Using these captures the FBI is testing the waters on the above mentioned boards. Fortunately for both sysops, they had removed all equipment, and trace of guilt. By now, you are probably asking yourself who this loser is that would turn in two quality boards, and genuinely cool sysops who have been contributed greatly to the scene, I hesitantly release the name of the person, because of the possiblity of legal actions which could be taken against the both parties, due to the release of this information. The FBI's rat, snitch informant and all around fucked asshole is none other than: DEAN SCHUMAN aka The Foreman, Sysop of Predatory Nature. I advise all of you who are involved in the scene to dissassociate yourself with this individual if you have any contact with him, further contact could result in legal action against you and your BBS. It makes me sick to think that two individuals who have done nothing more than give to the BBS community and the scene be put through this crap. I have been told by both individuals they will continue on with thier lives, but will not be able to run thier Bulletin Board Systems again, because of these actions. As for "The Foreman" it makes me sick to think that you could lower yourself to this level, and co-operate with law enforcement agencies. WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! WARNING! PREDATORY NATURE (206) 352-2479 (206) 352-3584 (206) 352-4257 Is a FBI Front for Project BYTE, a joint Law Enforcement, Telephone Provider and Software Company project to close the distribution of copyrighted material and Abuse of Telephone Long Disntance Services. I will personally be dropping out of the scene for a few months to let things cool off. This is a terrible trajedy, it is ashame that it has come to this. Stay Free- Textor