Two EVE Online players have managed to pull off what is being called one of the biggest scams in the space operas history. EVE News 24 reports that Phaser Inc. founders Eddie Lampert and Mordor Exuel (people should have known better than to trust someone named Mordor)) have perpetrated a scam that has netted them over 1 trillion isk.
The two reportedly set up a Ponzi Scheme, luring in more than 300 new investors a week with a promised 5% return on whatever they invested. Some were smart enough to pull out before the duo closed made off with the loot. But the two still managed to accumulate in excess of 1.8 trillion isk. After paying off their promised 5% to keep people on the hook and a percentage to those that were smart enough to get out while the getting was good, the two closed up shop and made off with over 1 trillion isk after their eight month run.
The pair were reportedly known for their public appearances in Jita to talk up their business, but the only sign of the two that can be found today is a message on the Phaser Inc. website letting their investors know that they have been had and a post explaining how the two did it and how many players were taken for a ride in the scheme.
Today is the day many expected to come.
Today, the 12th of August 2011, is the day where it all comes together.
Phaser Inc. is done, over, finished.
After a stunning period of eight months, we decided it's enough.
No more new accounts.
No more mails.
No more payout days.
No more ISK.
No more Phaser Inc.
Most likely, this will cause a lot of questions.
The most important question will be answered right here, right now.
The ISK is gone; you will not see it ever again.
You've invested it, got a chance on some profit, but it turned out to be not the best choice you've ever made. That's how investing works. At least, that's how it went for the most of you.
In true EVE tradition, the scam is getting some talk in the official forums and this time mostly finger-wagging at the victims for not realizing that it was an obvious scam. Meanwhile, the two that pulled off the scam will tell their story in a future editorial for EVE News 24.
Sources:
EVE News 24
Phaser Inc. website
To read the latest guides, news, and features you can visit our EVE Online Game Page.
