The Internet's Most Hated Man, The Strange Story of Michael Crook
August 03, 2007 by
In online gamer jargon, Michael Crook is a "griefer", someone who causes grief to others through harassment. In recent years, his websites have provoked unbridled rage throughout the Internet.
Fox News sniffs out a story
Crook first gained notoriety when his website "ForsakeTheTroops.com" stated that American soldiers in Iraq deserved to die for enlisting. His site further described the soldiers as overpaid "pukes" and "scumbags". It came as no surprise when Crook's
controversial views earned him an interview on the Fox News Network show, Hannity and Colmes.
Harassing bloggers
After Crook's Fox News appearance, critical bloggers began posting screen caps and video excerpts from the show. Crook then sent repeated DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) takedown notices to these bloggers, claiming copyright infringement. Of course, the copyright wasn't owned by Michael Crook at all. It was owned by Fox News.
The Craigslist "sting"
Crook's next infuriating online scheme involved a sex predator "sting" on the "casual encounter" classifieds section of Craigslist. He ran personal ads, posing as "Melissa", an 18-year-old female Las Vegas college student wanting to party with a "cool guy" and "trade pics." The responders to his bogus ads sent photos and private information, including real names, phone numbers, and email addresses. Some respondents even sent photos of their private parts.
After collecting all the information, Michael Crook published all responses, photos, and other private information on his website, "craigslist-pervert.org".
When confronted, Crook compared his craigslist site to Dateline's televised pedophile stings. Of course, unlike Dateline, Crook's decoy "Melissa" was 18, within the legal age of consent.
A side note: Michael Crook isn't an original. His craigslist caper was actually a copycat "sting" first done by another "hated" Internet personality, Jason Fortuny. Unlike Crook, Fortuny had the good sense not to launch follow-up harassments of his targets.
A specific case
Fox News sniffs out a story
Crook first gained notoriety when his website "ForsakeTheTroops.com" stated that American soldiers in Iraq deserved to die for enlisting. His site further described the soldiers as overpaid "pukes" and "scumbags". It came as no surprise when Crook's
Harassing bloggers
After Crook's Fox News appearance, critical bloggers began posting screen caps and video excerpts from the show. Crook then sent repeated DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) takedown notices to these bloggers, claiming copyright infringement. Of course, the copyright wasn't owned by Michael Crook at all. It was owned by Fox News.
The Craigslist "sting"
Crook's next infuriating online scheme involved a sex predator "sting" on the "casual encounter" classifieds section of Craigslist. He ran personal ads, posing as "Melissa", an 18-year-old female Las Vegas college student wanting to party with a "cool guy" and "trade pics." The responders to his bogus ads sent photos and private information, including real names, phone numbers, and email addresses. Some respondents even sent photos of their private parts.
After collecting all the information, Michael Crook published all responses, photos, and other private information on his website, "craigslist-pervert.org".
When confronted, Crook compared his craigslist site to Dateline's televised pedophile stings. Of course, unlike Dateline, Crook's decoy "Melissa" was 18, within the legal age of consent.
A side note: Michael Crook isn't an original. His craigslist caper was actually a copycat "sting" first done by another "hated" Internet personality, Jason Fortuny. Unlike Crook, Fortuny had the good sense not to launch follow-up harassments of his targets.
A specific case
Internet Research Can Not Answer All These Questions
By Tony garcia | Published 7/28/2007 | Read more »
Well, they finally released the trailer for Mel Gibson's new snuff film, I mean movie.
By Jetlag Democracy | Published 9/25/2006 | Read more »
The light at the end of the tunnel may be you, as one of her favorite rock groups sang once.
By Terri Rimmer | Published 7/27/2006 | Read more »
I started this a year ago while high on pills. I would write a bit more every once and again. Then, the motivation died. I lack any real motivation or self-confidence. Maybe one ya'll i never known b4 gone care enuf to motivate me. We will see.
By V Saxena | Published 4/15/2007 | Read more »
An historical look at the longest-running television drama.
By Cynthia C. Scott | Published 6/28/2007 | Read more »
All those rich people on cribs have the original Pac-Man arcade game for their gameroom. This article is on the care and feeding of the Pac-Man. If your pac-men are not bright yellow anymore or you'd like to turn the damn thing down a bit...read on
By James Eskew, II | Published 11/30/2006 | Read more »
|
|
Most Comments Today
- Death at Disney World in Orlando, Florida Monorails collide one driver has died at the Disney World Theme Park in Orlan... 29 Comments
- A Little Good News Today Here is...a little good news today. 25 Comments
- Why Would a Web Writer Drop DayLife.Com? Before I share my story with you, dear readers, I want to point out that Dayl... 24 Comments
- Give a Damn Another new song, this one describes the feelings of us who save the world ev... 17 Comments
- Hair and Make-Up Tips from Nancy Looking good is as easy. Looking stunningly beautiful is an art. 16 Comments
- Bachelorette 5 Spoiler: Wes Hayden Spills the Beans About... This week July 6, 2009 episode 8 of the Bachelorette Jillian will finally d... 16 Comments
Posted on 06/02/2009 at 8:06:22 AM
Posted on 05/12/2009 at 7:05:08 AM
Posted on 03/16/2009 at 1:03:58 PM
Posted on 03/16/2009 at 1:03:57 PM
Posted on 01/08/2009 at 9:01:49 PM
Posted on 10/25/2008 at 8:10:15 AM
Posted on 10/02/2008 at 4:10:18 PM
Posted on 08/23/2008 at 4:08:27 PM
Posted on 08/06/2008 at 1:08:03 PM
Posted on 05/08/2008 at 2:05:18 PM