Dotcom on line

MARIKA HILL

An alleged global internet pirate nabbed in an international sting has revealed a troubled past and love of a local songstress in messages online.

New Zealand made international headlines on Friday when playboy and entrepreneur Kim Dotcom, 37, was arrested at his $30 million rented mansion in Coatesville, 30 kilometres north of Auckland.

The international sting on internet piracy also netted three others – Finn Batato, 38, and chief technical officer and co-founder Mathias Ortmann, 40, both from Germany, and Dutch national Bram van der Kolk, 29 – who had flown into the country for Dotcom's birthday. Police also arrested a 55-year-old New Zealand man, who was charged with unlawful possession of a pistol.

A picture has quickly emerged of Dotcom's flamboyant lifestyle, passion for fast cars, women and a history of hacking and run-ins with the law.

But Dotcom has been reaching out to internet users – even after being locked up.

The message "Legends may sleep, but they never die. Thx for supporting me!" was posted on his Facebook page early yesterday morning.

Later the same day, a new post read: "F--- FBI."

A police spokesman did not put much weight to the Facebook messages. Dotcom is in custody where there is no access to the internet. "Three associates of his are somewhere in the world and he has supporters."

The mystery messages come just four weeks after Dotcom spoke of his turbulent upbringing, frustrations with record labels and admiration for a Kiwi singer, in a message on TorrentFreak website.

Dotcom was so enthralled by the smokey voice of singer Gin Wigmore he convinced her to sing a "Mega Song" to promote his company Megaupload.

Wigmore nailed the song in just three takes at an Auckland studio, Dotcom wrote.

"Gin's voice is special, she could be the next Amy Winehouse. She seemed excited too. At least that's what she texted me after the recording session."

However, the song was never released due to threats from her record label's lawyers.

"There is a good chance that Gin will remain just known to New Zealanders, which would be sad because she has an awesome voice."

Dotcom also admitted paying the price for mistakes he had made when younger. He was found guilty of hacking offences in 1997. And in 2001 he was guilty of insider trading.

Schmitz also pleaded guilty to embezzlement in November 2003.

A troubled childhood is also hinted at. Dotcom wrote of being upset that media tracked down his alleged alcoholic and abusive father, from whom he was estranged.

"He is an alcoholic who used to beat my mother and myself into hospital many times." He goes on to say he had turned his life around.

"I am married, I have three adorable children with two more on the way (twin girls – yeah) and I know that I am not a bad person."

Dotcom also insisted his Mega company had nothing to fear and the business was legitimate.

"We work with the best lawyers and play by the rules. We take our legal obligations seriously. Mega's war chest is full and we have strong supporters backing us."

Internet NZ chief executive Vikram Kumar said Dotcom was not a public figure in New Zealand's internet circles.

"He wasn't well known, but Megaupload was well-known – particularly among teenagers in New Zealand."

Questions remain on why Dotcom moved to Auckland, but Kumar said it is unlikely New Zealand's copyright laws attracted Dotcom here. "I can only speculate. In the internet world you can operate an internet business anywhere. It might have been the lifestyle."

New Zealand internet laws are irrelevant in this case, he said, as Dotcom has been charged under American law and will be extradited.

Internet NZ is against proposed anti-piracy laws in the United States. The laws are aimed at stopping websites that allow the exchange of copyright material, which is why Megaupload.com was shut down by authorities.

Now Dotcom, along with his co-accused, face charges relating to alleged violations of piracy laws worth hundreds of millions of dollars.

The charges include racketeering and money laundering in a so-called "Mega Conspiracy".

No decision has been made yet about whether the group will fight extradition from New Zealand to the United States. Detective Inspector Grant Wormald, of Organised Crime agency OFCANZ, said police would continue working on the case through the weekend.

"Our focus now is on completing all the documentation required by Crown Law ahead of the next court appearance on Monday.

"The team of four FBI staff will also remain working with us for the next few days."

The US indictment paints a picture of a sprawling multi-national operation, with more than 20 search warrants executed in nine countries.

- © Fairfax NZ News