Re: Perlmonk needs your help!

Update: The replies to this node point to the case being genuine. You can ignore this node.

Is this a hoax designed to get people to donate to a bogus fund? I find myself looking at a web site that fits all of the criteria of a hoax. A great deal of information designed to enrage you (after all it could happen to you) but little in the way of independently verifiable fact. This has a number of parallels with virus hoaxes.

Has anyone been able to verify the facts through a source that isn't connected with GeeksUnite.net? According to Chip's journal he is enjoying himself in Austria.

Comment on Re: Perlmonk needs your help!

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Re^2: Perlmonk needs your help! by merlyn (Sage) on Jul 01, 2005 at 14:00 UTC
I have spoken on a few occasions with chip recently about this, trying to give what little advice I can, other than the obvious common sense. This is no hoax. And having been personally through a similar misunderstanding-turned-criminal-case, I can only wish Chip the best of luck, and good thoughts, because it will get much worse before it gets better, if it ever gets better. -- Randal L. Schwartz, Perl hacker Be sure to read my standard disclaimer if this is a reply.	[reply]
Re^2: Perlmonk needs your help! by gellyfish (Monsignor) on Jul 01, 2005 at 09:33 UTC
Yeah except, chip was at YAPC::NA and actually announced this in front of an audience of people who knew him. The only blog I can find of this is here /J\	[reply]
Re(2): Perlmonk needs your help! by cjf-sk (Sexton) on Jul 01, 2005 at 08:57 UTC
Docket Info 12.40.122.125 resolves to ggate.montcopa.org and montcopa.org appears to be legit (Registered to County of Montgomery). So the case at least appears real, not completely sure about the fund yet.	[reply]
Re^2: Perlmonk needs your help! by bart (Canon) on Jul 01, 2005 at 08:42 UTC
According to Chip's journal he is enjoying himself in Austria. Watch the journal's date: that was 2 weeks ago.	[reply]
Re^2: Perlmonk needs your help! by jkva (Chaplain) on Jul 01, 2005 at 08:41 UTC
I'd say he would be too busy right now to write in his journal?	[reply]
Re^3: Perlmonk needs your help! by pikus (Hermit) on Jul 01, 2005 at 17:02 UTC
I'm Chip's Brother. I promise you this is no hoax. My computer was seized as well. Understand that, though it just came to the attention of the community, this is something that started a while ago and though it is troubling we've both made time to enjoy ourselves at YAPC and other times and places that the opportunity presented itself. Legal trouble doesn't mean you can't have any fun or take any time for yourself. It just gives you something to worry about (a lot) during the times you're not enjoying yourself. Take action on this or don't. More important is that you don't forget that things like this do happen. Learn from it and protect yourself where you can. Thanks to you all for your support. - pikus "I want to live 'till I die. No more. No less." - Eddie Izzard	[reply]