This is...just weird!

**Incognito** · 24th-October-2008

Online divorcee jailed after killing virtual hubby

By MARI YAMAGUCHI, Associated Press

TOKYO: A 43-year-old Japanese woman whose sudden divorce in a virtual game world made her so angry that she killed her online husband's digital persona has been arrested on suspicion of hacking, police said Thursday.

The woman, who is jailed on suspicion of illegally accessing a computer and manipulating electronic data, used his identification and password to log onto popular interactive game "Maple Story" to carry out the virtual murder in mid-May, a police official in northern Sapporo said on condition of anonymity, citing department policy.

"I was suddenly divorced, without a word of warning. That made me so angry," the official quoted her as telling investigators and admitting the allegations.

The woman had not plotted any revenge in the real world, the official said.

She has not yet been formally charged, but if convicted could face a prison term of up to five years or a fine up to $5,000.
Players in "Maple Story" raise and manipulate digital images called "avatars" that represent themselves, while engaging in relationships, social activities and fighting against monsters and other obstacles.

The woman used login information she got from the 33-year-old office worker when their characters were happily married, and killed the character. The man complained to police when he discovered that his beloved online avatar was dead.

**Marx** · 24th-October-2008

Yep I read of that earlier - damn stupid shit. This belongs in the 'stupidity' news section

**Incognito** · 24th-October-2008

Thanks for putting it in the proper forum.

**Marx** · 24th-October-2008

Well - it IS damn stupidity... one of (not the, but one of) the prime examples of stupidity.

**6ame** · 24th-October-2008

Quote from TERA

The woman had not plotted any revenge in the real world, the official said.

Well I'm glad that she knows the difference between virtual and reality

I'm disappointed with the guy though, what a bitch, calling the cops because his video game character died, I mean come on.
Next time I get killed while playing an online game, I'll know what to do, get my lawyer on the phone, ridiculous.

I'm on the woman's side here, divorcing her without telling her, what a cunt

**6ame** · 24th-October-2008

Although I agree that it reaches new heights of stupidity, I can't help but admire the woman in question, she was clever enough to get his login info, and clever enough to use it in such a way that made him cry like a 4 year old, hacker or not, she's top class, at least it was only virtual.

What would make my blood boil, is if she spends any more than 12 days in jail, you know, like Winkler, who ACTUALLY murdered her husband in cold blood, and not in a virtual world, now that would be sickening.

**6ame** · 24th-October-2008

By the way Tera, that link takes me to Yahoo Games, but there are no stories, just contact info for Yahoo.

**Percy** · 24th-October-2008

Maybe 'Maple Story' characters can charge her avatar and hold a trial. Her avatar can do the time for the crime. It would be interesting to see if the pussy-pass has crossed over to the virtual world.

**christianj** · 24th-October-2008

They cannot even control their virtual violence, interesting..

**Zuberi** · 24th-October-2008

I don't think its weird I think its retarded on both ends she's retarded for killing the mans video game character and he retarded for calling the police!

**Yudonia** · 24th-October-2008

I bet my friend that the human race had reached the pinnacle of stupidity...After reading this...I stand corrected.

**Rothzael** · 25th-October-2008

I sympathise with the guy, but only because I work with computers. If anyone got angry enough over a game to hack my account I would be pissed.

**Garak** · 25th-October-2008

Why do people call sprites, avatars?

**Marx** · 26th-October-2008

I think it comes to down a mild lack of understanding. To me, they've always been sprites. Assuming, we're talking about sprites and not avatars.

**Feckless** · 26th-October-2008

I somehow can understand both sides.

He is the idiot. From playing online (browser) games I know that a lot of people put a whole lof of work into such accounts. So if you give someone your password and fuck with them, well you pretty much will see their revenge done on your account. That idiot could have easily changed his password. Is it even hacking if you hand out your password?

Anyhow. I want to live where the police has time to solve such online nonsense....don´t seem to be much crime going on if they have time for this.