Dotcom man of mystery

CARALISE MOORE

Kim Dotcom is a man of mystery in Coatesville but his injection of wealth to the area has been felt by many.

The Coatesville's economy could take a hit if he doesn't return.

Mr Dotcom, aka Kim Schmitz, is a German-Finnish computer programmer and the founder of Megaupload.com. He was arrested last week at a Coatesville mansion in a global operation led by the United States Justice Department.

The FBI wants to extradite the 38-year-old multi-millionaire and three others to face copyright and money laundering charges. Businesses and residents say Mr Dotcom has spent considerable sums in the Coatesville and wider Rodney area.

Water costing thousands of dollars was regularly delivered to fill his indoor and outdoor pools and huge fish tank and fresh flowers for every room were provided weekly.

Mr Dotcom hoped to buy the large property and had already spent big money on the leased mansion owned by a company which includes Richard Bradley, who with wife Ruth founded Christmas hamper company Chrisco.

Few Coatesville people saw Mr Dotcom but plenty had dealings with his entourage of employees.

One source says a supplier, who works as a florist, delivered thousands of dollars worth of flowers for "giant German vases" in each room of the mansion every few weeks.

Rain Chen from Fernielea Cafe says she served Mr Dotcom's bodyguards coffee for months without knowing who they were.

"They always came in as a group every few days and had something to eat and drink," she says. "They were very friendly and funny, really big guys.

"We enjoyed having them come in. I didn't realise who they were until our employees noticed them on TV.

"On the morning of Kim's arrest one customer came in, a neighbour of his, and asked what was happening with all the police and helicopters.

"That's when we found out what was going on."

Mr Dotcom was known to have some unusual habits.

One source says he was averse to employing "handsome" bodyguards and others say he seemed to be nocturnal.

One feature of his home is a big games room with six large-screen television sets and Xbox gaming consoles for each. There is also a panic room and tunnels.

The mansion has a large number of staff and security personnel.

Mr Dotcom became the world's best player at the video game Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 after 702 hours of game time last year.

Graham from Windmill Orchards says two of Kim's chefs visited the shop occasionally. "Just for the odd thing like a lettuce."

One source who lives near the mansion says the place was often targeted by teenagers looking for a bit of entertainment.

"My son told me after seeing a photo of the maze in the mansion grounds published in a newspaper that he had run through it as part of a dare. My other son said he had jumped over the fence and thrown a few firecrackers on the driveway.

"The teenagers see the security cameras, stone walls and guards as a challenge.

"They had no idea the resident had guns though and they said they might not have done those things if they knew."

Mr Dotcom was known to be generous to various causes, including the Christchurch earthquake appeal and Starship Foundation.

- © Fairfax NZ News