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Virtual Worlds ‘Clear and Present Danger’ for Money Laundering
By Brian Monroe
printWhen Sony Online Entertainment executives discovered a computer user trying to move large amounts of money through one of its Internet-based role-playing games last year, they figured he was after more than some magical armor or an enchanted flaming sword. They tracked down the gamer in Europe who admitted to laundering money through Sony's online universe, which allows players to buy and sell virtual goods with real money, by moving funds from a U.S. account to one in Russia, the executives said. His defense: He said transferring money through the game was cheaper than using a bank, according to Sony...
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