In Isk we Trust: Iskbank.com Exposed, Thousand of Customers Outed. *Update*
EveNews24 has received what appears to be the customer and order database for a major RMT (real money trading) site, Iskbank.com. Provided by an anonymous source, this information details thousands of transactions occurring between mid-April 2010 and until March 4, 2011, which was just last week. A dizzying array of information is contained in the database; everything from names and dates to products purchased and money spent to email and IP addresses.
The overall scale of the operation is breathtaking. Since we received it, we’ve been working through the data in an attempt to make sense of it. Initial estimates indicated that the total sales for the site were approximately $345,000. We then worked to filter out all orders which did not appear to have reached completion. While it’s impossible to be certain of the exact numbers, it now appears that Iskbank.com made approximately $290,000 in sales for the 10-1/2-month period. These figures do not include any sales made through their sister site, Eveisk.ru and yes, those are US Dollars.
Based in Chişinău, the capital of Moldova, Iskbank.com has been operating in its current incarnation since December of 2009, and claims to have been in operation for three years prior. The owner and primary operator of the site is known as Vadim, although it’s impossible to know if there is any relation to the Eve character of the same name. Records indicate that Iskbank.com has somewhere between 2 and 5 employees, although this is only an estimate. They appear to also operate eveisk.ru, a Russian-language mirror of Iskbank.com.
The variety and amount of items they seem to have in stock is mind-blowing. Included in the database is a running inventory of the items they hold in reserve. As of March 4, the data indicates that they had more than 2 trillion ISK and 5,540 PLEX (worth approximately 1.9 trillion ISK by current values – or about $82,800 in game time value), along with relatively large stockpiles of faction ships, high-end implants and characters. PLEXes were introduced by CCP as a way to curb RMT retailing, which makes their inclusion in the inventory of RMT retailers especially troubling to anyone concerned about the corrupting influence of RMT in Eve Online.
A closer look at the details paints an interesting picture. The largest purchase in this time period was for a Titan, a Supercarrier, a character and two high-grade implant sets – Slave and Crystal. The most frequently purchased item was ISK. A large number of purchases are by repeat customers. A significant number of character names listed in the purchases are by obvious alt characters, many of which were created right before the purchase and/or deleted after the purchase was concluded in an apparent effort to cover their tracks.
We are currently developing more stories containing additional analysis of the data. We have also conducted interviews with some of Iskbank.com‘s customers. We have approached CCP for comment but CCP Manifest has declined our request for an interview. It is a standing offer, however, so it’s still possible that CCP will weigh in on this topic. We were, however, able to interview Vadim, the owner of Eveisk.com.
Vadim did not dispute the accuracy when presented with the figures used to develop this story. He claimed that the information was obtained by a hacker operating in Slovenia. He also accused the hacker of attempting to blackmail some of the customers on the list, demanding ISK in exchange for his silence. According to Vadim, he became aware of the attempted blackmail when the customers later complained to Iskbank.com customer support. He offered to provide EveNews24 with logs to support his allegations, but at press time, they were not received.
When asked what he thought the effects of the leak, Vadim replied that, in the short-term, some of his customers would likely be punished and that Iskbank.com‘s reputation would be hurt. When asked about long-term effects, he replied, “In the long-term? Nothing is going to change; neither in the industry, nor with us ISK farmers.” It should come as no surprise that he also asked that the list of customers not be made public.
Eve News24’s editorial team engaged in serious debate about the idea of publishing the list of Iskbank.com customer names. We agreed that any and all the personal information in the database (email addresses, phone numbers, et cetera) should not be made public under any circumstances. However, we already have a precedent of publishing the names of characters involved in illegal activity, so we decided that there was no valid reason why we shouldn’t do so here. We are aware that our information may not be perfectly accurate. There’s no way to say how many of Iskbank.com‘s customers cancelled orders after paying or how many of them failed to receive the ISK, characters or items they purchased. The character names listed here were input into the orders by the customer who made the order, so it is possible that some of these transactions were made for someone other than the purchaser. We spent days sifting through the information to determine the difference between actual customers and those who placed orders, but did not make payment. Eventually, we decided that our list of names is as accurate as we can make it and, however imperfect it may be, we have decided to publish the list of character names, along with the dollar amounts of their purchases. Given the near-inevitability that some of the names listed are incorrect, this should not be considered an authoritative list. However, this is news and we feel obligated to cover it, despite its flaws.
We can assume that CCP was given a copy of the Iskbank.com database by the same person who sent it to us. Even if this wasn’t the case, when we made our initial request for an interview, we also provided them with the database. We are confident that they will investigate and take whatever action they deem appropriate. CCP is the only organization with the ability and authority to investigate allegations of RMT activity. EveNews24 only has the ability to report what we believe to be true and, while we can never be 100% certain of its accuracy, We’ve done our best.
Below is a link to the list. Names are listed in alphabetical order, along with the dollar amount of each purchase. Multiple instances of the same name indicates multiple purchases at different times.
Update 1: In response to this story, Iskbank.com has made the following announcement on their site:
Official Iskbank.com statement on the DB leak.
Evenews24.com has a publication about our website and in the end of the story published a list of characters that, as it is stated, have been obtained from our DB.
We officially state the information provided on the above-mentioned website is fictitious and has nothing to do with our customers’ data.
We are not responsible for any potential inconvenience the publication of Evenews24 may cause to real players in case some of the listed characters exist in Eve Online.
Also, taking into consideration the potential ways such information can be obtained through and used for, we believe the editorial board of Evenews24 has to bear responsibility for a) unauthorized access to and sharing of personal data of Eve Online users b) slander and intentional harm to certain Eve Online users.
Fly safe.
While we can understand why Iskbank.com would refuse to confirm the data we received, EveNews24 staff spent a great deal of time talking to customers whose names were on this list. The vast majority of those we spoke to confirmed that they were Iskbank.com customers. Some of their stories will be told tomorrow. In the mean time, we stand by our story. It is also worth pointing out that Vadim has not provided any evidence that the individual who accessed the Iskbank.com database used the information to blackmail customers, despite his promise to provide that evidence. As such, we now believe those allegations to be false. -Lapham
Update 2: GM Grimmi has posted a brief response on the Eve Online official forums:
We are aware of the evenews24 situation and the leaked list being discussed here. At this time we cannot comment on the information in focus but we would like to use this opportunity to remind everyone that buying ISK for real money is a violation of our EULA and anyone doing so risks getting the ISK removed and punitive action against their accounts, including possible permanent bans.
While we would like to be more transparent about the methods and tools we use to fight RMT, botting and such in EVE we must maintain a level of secrecy in order to conduct successful operations. A presentation is scheduled at FanFest later this month where these matters will be discussed in some detail.
Check back for EveNews24’s upcoming coverage of the Iskbank.com leak:
Iskbank.com customers speak out
EveNews24 Exclusive: The Vadim interview
CSM6 candidates weigh in
Phase 2: The Eveisk.ru dump
More developments as they occur!
Also, if you would like to send us comments, testimonials, intel you can contact us via [email protected]
Prob is I'm one of the toons listed towards the top and I just bought the account 30 days ago. It's not like I can sell the toon now as no one would take it.
OMFG,
An actual news story, is EN24 turning a new leaf with less propaganda reports from PL?
I hope so…
The guy who runs the site was not the source, you twit.
If he didn't want to speak on the record, or only with conditions, he could have said so. He did not.
Helpful life tip: if a reporter calls you up and identifies himself as a reporter, and you start blabbing away, you don't get to insist on conditions after the fact.
He was a source, you douche (Did I do it right?)
He talked to Evenews24, and provided them with information about their story. The likelyhood of that happening again is slim to none now.
Here's a helpful life tip for you: You don't win people over in the future by burning your bridges
BAN EM ALL I SAY!!
What's confusing me about this list: so few DRF people and so many who like to accuse the DRFers regularly.
Think you're confusing buyers and sellers…
I'm confused after the Update 1…
CCP says that this has nothing to do with their clients, and that it "is fictitious and has nothing to do with our customers’ data."
Then they say that EN24 is responsible for: "a) unauthorized access to and sharing of personal data of Eve Online users [and] b) slander and intentional harm to certain Eve Online users."
Which way is it? I'm not saying they should confirm that they are EvE players and what not… but shit, no comment, is better than complete hypocrisy.
read again it's iskbank.com that made that statement
CCP just said some generic bullshit about how they take this sort of thing seriously but due to their very effective and super sekret procedures they can't say anything
@Zak Z,
No, read again. Iskbank.com replies that "a) unauthorized access to and sharing of personal data of Eve Online users [and] b) slander and intentional harm to certain Eve Online users." NOT CCP.
CCP replies in update nr. 2
well, plz read again.
what you quoted is the statemant on the iskbank website.
stop trolling ^^ reread the update that was iskbank.com saying those things
wait wait wait wait………….. reread again ^_^
I am simply blown away by the number of people willing to spend significant RL dollars on eve. I don't care if you are a millionaire, spending 1000+$ on eve is still crazy talk.
I wonder how many titans will not get built because of that
Great article. Great work. EveNews24 just graduated to the big league.
This is so full of win. Well done EN24.
"we believe the editorial board of Evenews24 has to bear responsibility for a) unauthorized access to and sharing of personal data of Eve Online users b) slander and intentional harm to certain Eve Online users."
I see they use the same PR company as the US goverment:P
I bet half of you guys are not more than some highsec carebear lulz, that want to extend their whining on those who have to fight and loose in 0.0. Not to speak of the many laws evenews broke with publishing a leaked internal DB. If the ppl can spendabout 10k of dollars, imagine how much they can spend on lawyers…
so will we see less supercapitals on the battlefields?
Best articule Eve news has posted so far, good job guys.
We all knew this problem existed but I don't think anybody realised the extent of the problem, same goes for botting, its all completely out of control where no one plays by the rules and CCP do nothing. I'm astounded by the dollar values people are paying these RMT companies, you should be ashamed, but I'm more astounded at the lack of response from CCP! what was that pitiful response posted on the eve forums by GM Grimmi? CCP should be taking this info and running with it banning people left and right in a blazing rage. Their weak and uninspired response showed a lack of any passion left for this game and I take this as a big horrible sign that sez in capital letters EVE IS DEAD. If the hombre's in charge aren't even interested in pretecting their own RL assets how much do you think they care about our internet spaceships.
So, did actually someone notice that iskbank.com is hosted at the same (small) provider Kugutsumen.com is hosted ? And this leaks right after Kugu exposed PL ?
mere chance
I love gettin kicked in the nuts when I play eve, if I didn't get kicked in the nuts I wouldn't get the adrenaline hit when I fight knowin that this fight could cost me dear. If the other guy doesn't get kicked in the nuts just as hard then thats a huge iiiiiimmbalance. The fights and arguments that break out because of cloaks or dramiels or new sov rules are hard fought and bitter, where is your passion now? This needs fixing or its quite literally game over. If whole allies and coalitions are RMT'ing their way to victory able to replace all losses no matter how shattering they are supposed to be, thats bad enough, but are they doing this AND making a huge RL profit too? If the landscape of EVE is controlled by RMT'ing alliances, because the imbalance is so massive the only counter to that is for everyone to cheat. Is this how EVE is going to progress into the future, or is this the landscape right now?
[...] Eve News 24 publishing a list of characters allegedly engaged in Real-Money-Transactions (the act of paying currency for in-game items, ISK or characters) the topic of RMT has lit up the [...]
what?? russians running an eve isk RMT site? say it isn't so? duh – anyone who plays eve knows this and has for years. if CCP was serious about RMT – they would put anyone from the former republic on their own closed servers.
moldova isn’t russia.
but i guess american fuckwits don’t know their left hand from their right, never mind european countries.
Cant wait for RUS RMT Dump "prepares popcorn"
Now
THIS
IS NEWS.
please guys get a life, spend that money in more importants things
And still nobody cares.
O well. Some alt bots may get banned. TEH HORRORZ.
This crusade is still as amusing as it is pointless. CCP will still do nothing and will not give a rats ass about you trying to interrupt THEIR cashflow
I'm expecting an eventual permo-ban for both the main mods of this site. (Main reason – breach of eula – "making game harder/more expensive to operate"). Good times all around
Also more QQ about "botting scumbags" you got to love it. Its not as if bots in eve turned up yesterday or last year. Or even 2 years ago lol. Strange how people "suddenly" rose up against them. Anyway keep entertaining me
[...] сайта EveNews24 сообщили о том, что в их руки попала информация об игроках sci-fi MMO [...]
Technically speaking they CAN NOT take EN24 to court for hacking. Like wikileaks they did not actually do the hacking or encourage it, they only reported it and displayed information handed to them. Libel I don't think will work either since no real life identity has been tarnished even if the story is fake.
If iskbank ever did manage to press charges (and this would sheer luck) then they can only charge those directly involved with the hacking and not 3rd parties unless they sponsored it.
EN24 have done the right thing in the sense that they have blacked off the real possible identities such as email addresses. All that is left is a virtual name and a dollar figure.
People buy isk with GTC's why is everybody getting their panties in a bunch. You're all freaked out that CCP isn't getting the money or something?
[...] forum hack/leak. More drama I am sure will come from that little bit of headline news. Another article from EveNews24 and the slimy world of [...]
…
Yep, and the name of the blackmaling char is known too. Since the news appeared, there was an another blackmailer. But who cares?
[...] the Eve press reaching a fevered pitch in the last month things seem to finally be boiling over (List of $250k+ worth of ISK buyers exposed for all to see). It also seems like market botting has ramped up a bit in the last year as well, so quite a bit of [...]
[...] to the recently elected Council of Stellar Management. As most of our readers know, Russians are a proven source of Real Money Trading fronts who would certainly benefit greatly by having a representative [...]
[...] of it, because we all know how good CCP is protecting their [IP] when other players are literally making thousands of dollars per month off CCP’s back uncontested for years, or how much money can it [...]
What I want to know is who provides the ISK/Items to the ISK bank? I could give a shit less who buys it. You stop problems at the source.
Vadim is good guy
Let me get this straight. You've been playing EVE for almost five years in highsec, you suck at the game and can't handle it, so you quit. Okay, whatever floats your boat dude, but RMTing is not even effecting the lives of 90% of EVE players. Grow some balls, go to nullsec, run a couple of belts or a sanctum or two, and you'd be completely fine.
Botters keep ore prices low, which means ship and mod prices are low. They sell ISK to people for real money, which causes the prices to go up a smidge due to people being able to afford to pay a bit more for ships. In the end, it all balances out, or if anything still helps the market for normal players. The only people who really are hurt in any way by botting/RMT are the ones who mine for a living. Manufacturers benefit, PVPers benefit, anyone who runs missions/anoms/plexes benefit.
can i has your stuffs?
(come on someone had to say it!)
=)
Yeah, because I'm certain any of them are going to give you ISK. They will put you on their block list, and your time will be wasted. But if that makes you feel righteous, carry on troll!
You'll probably also have fun when they ban your ass for receiving rmt-ed isk when they crack down on the "launderers"
Lol you are an idiot…..
I want screenshots of the transfers from all these "BlackMail-ees" or it didnt happen.
No one is gonna give up ISK, as that would mean they were guilty.
I have been upvoting you but would very much like to know of the exploit they use?
IMO as we have disagreed on before I think Tech is an exploit
P R32 Moons in one basic area that are worth upto 4x of a r64 is just crazy.
They need to make them twice-3x as rare or scatter them all to the 4 winds so everyone gets that opportunity.
But what is the exploit?