Re: Usenet forgery being investigated

In article <830615727.21915.1_at_acclaim.demon.co.uk>

           Frank_at_acclaim.demon.co.uk "Frank Hendrix" writes:

> John Sharman <jayshar_at_norvic.demon.co.uk> wrote:
>
> >Oh. Your references to "fraud" and "the Fraud Squad" led me foolishly to
> >jump to the conclusion that it might have had something to do with
> >fraud. But evidently not.
>
> Then consult your dictionary as to the definition of the word "fraud".
> Mine includes:
> use of false representations
> dishonest artifice or trick

On that basis I might expect the Vice Squad to raid my garage and confiscate my workbench.

I can understand why you're upset that someone should post a load of unpleasant racist trash over your name. But you're suggesting firstly that there is something criminal in that (I can see the just very faintest possibility that it might be a criminal incitement to racial hatred, but they'd never prosecute in the circumstances - mere invective is seldom incitement) and secondly that it's a Fraud Squad matter. Are you sure that the Fraud Squad didn't just say, "Yes, yes Sir. We'll look into it." There's no criminal fraud there.

> Feel free to start a thread in alt.usage.english if you feel strongly.

Your suggestion was that there is a criminal fraud involved. There isn't.

> The reference to the "Fraud Squad" is because that is the name of the
> unit handling the incident. If you disagree with the way the police
> are structured, please write to the Chief Constable. Feel free to post
> his response here.

If the Police want to waste their time, that's up to them. In my experience they usually don't. It's very odd that you say that the Police are investigating the commission of a crime upon you, yet you don't seem to know what the crime is. I'm interested in the subject of Internet crime, but I don't see any here. It would be significant, for example, if the Police had told you that a Usenet posting was a "document" for purposes of forgery. But they haven't, have they?

> >Still about on the servers, are they?
>
> If you are interested why not check yourself? If you need help
> retrieving articles then ask your support.

I've looked. A bit of vulgar and childish racism. Does it go beyond that? Have you asked the owner of any server to remove them?

> >You're kind of hinting at an
> >attempt to stir up racial hatred. Is that what it was?
>
> Read the articles yourself and make up your own mind.

It's nowhere near criminal.

> >If so, it's fair
> >enough that the perpetrator be prosecuted, but that has nothing to do
> >with the fact that he posted over your name.
>
> Are you implying you are perfectly happy to have someone forge your
> headers and post articles which you find offensive? If your intray is
> a bit short of unsolicited email, I'll be happy to forward you some of
> mine.

No, I'd not be happy. But I would not expect the Police to be interested bearing in mind in the absence of obvious criminal activity. I think that you may safely take it that you will not be paying out your reward. There will be no conviction. There will be no prosecution.

-- 
Regards,

John Sharman
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