FBI seized Megaupload domains are now hosting mature content ads
Years ago, United States premier investigative agency went after Kim Dotcom and his Megaupload service in its mission to fight illegal file storage websites. The agency was successful in bringing down Kim Dotcom’s Megaupload empire but in the process became an owner of several domain names belonging to Kim Dotcom’s file-hosting service. Nearly five years later the authorities still control the domains but they haven’t done a very good job of securing them. Megaupload.org now links to a soft porn portal.
Five years have passed since the Megaupload mission and now FBI seems to be keen on making money from the seized Megaupload domains rather than parking them without use. Nothing wrong in that but the fact is that the seized domains including Megaupload.org are now showing NSFW ads.
For those who don’t know, FBI went after Kim Dotcom and his Megaupload for hosting illegal content through the file sharing service. It was successful in bringing down the Kim Dotcom service and forcing him to exile himself to New Zealand.ย Last December a New Zealand District Court judge ruled that Kim Dotcom and his colleagues can be extradited to the United States to face criminal charges, a decision that will be appealed shortly.
With the criminal case pending, the U.S. Government also retains control over Kim Dotcoms seized assets like cash, cars, and a dozen of Megauploadโs former domain names, including Megastuff.co, Megaclicks.org, Megaworld.mobi, Megaupload.com, Megaupload.org, and Megavideo.com.
Initially, the domains served a banner indicating they had been seized as part of a criminal investigation. However, those who visit some of the sites today are in for a surprise. ย The premier Kim Docom file storing website,ย Megaupload.org is now hosting a site dedicated to soft porn advertisements. Other seized domains are also filled with ads, including Megastuff.co, Megaclicks.org, and Megaworld.mobi.
As can be seen from the domain WHOIS data, Megaupload.org still uses the old Cirfu.net nameservers, which means that an outsider is now able to control several of the seized Megaupload domain names.