A hacker who was ordered to pay Nintendo 25 to 30 percent of his salary for the rest of his life has said that getting caught was actually a “blessing.”
It was March 2023 when Gary Bowser – yes, just like the Mario character – was released from prison for the role he played in a hacking group called Team Xecuter.
The group worked to create mod chips, cartridges, and jailbreak software for gaming consoles, making games essentially free to use and therefore becoming an enemy of companies like Nintendo.
Speaking to UNILAD, Bowser said he was mainly involved in “maintaining the two major websites” used by the group.
Gary Bowser lived in the Dominican Republic before he was arrested. (Delivered)
“My role was basically posting the news about updates and keeping the forums running, and later I got involved as an intermediary between the developers and those selected to beta test updates and review new products,” he said.
In return, Bowser said he was paid a monthly salary of $500, plus the money generated by advertising on one of the websites, which he says ranged from $1,000 to $3,000 per month.
After leaving his home country of Canada to live in the Dominican Republic, Bowser admitted that he “didn’t think there would be much risk at the time,” but his actions came back to bite him when he was arrested and sentenced to 40 months imprisonment. prison in the US
He was granted parole in 2023, but still owed Nintendo $10 million in restitution, as well as a $4.5 million fine. In an attempt to pay off his debt, Bowser made an agreement with Nintendo that allowed the company to take portions of his salary to pay off the money he owed them.
Nintendo demanded a refund from Bowser. (PHILIP FONG/AFP via Getty Images)
Regarding his progress with payment, Bowser says he has been unable to secure a stable job. Instead, he’s relying on money he saved while working in prison, disability benefits for a medical condition and support from a GoFundMe page.
“Just a few weeks ago the government approved my disability, so come June at least my basic bills, my rent and utilities will be covered, but it will still be difficult as far as food goes,” Bowser said.
The former hacker has done some freelance work setting up websites for clients, although he said it was “hard to find real work” because he went to school from the ’80s and ’90s.
“Many companies are looking for younger workers with the latest certifications in technology, so I need to take some online courses to get more updated papers that match my skills,” he said.
Bowser hopes for additional support from GoFundMe. (Delivered)
With that in mind, Bowser admitted that he’s not likely to pay off Nintendo anytime soon.
“I’m barely making ends meet every month, so unless I magically win the lottery or get a book deal or something great happens and I end up getting a high-paying job or making a lot of money… this is just going to lurk for many years to come. rule over me for years,” he said.
But despite the fine hanging over his head, Bowser is somewhat grateful that he was brought to justice.
He explained: “Life is a path of choices. I’ve made the wrong ones, that’s for sure, but in some ways now, after all this has happened, I consider the outcome a blessing.”
Bowser explained that he was in a “downward spiral” when he was arrested, adding, “I drank too much every day in the Dominican Republic and also gained too much weight.”
Bowser doesn’t expect to be able to pay his debt anytime soon. (Andrew Francis Wallace/Toronto Star via Getty Images)
As for the people he had in his life, Bowser said he “quickly found out who [his] were real friends’ after he was arrested.
“My time in prison has helped me take a hard look at my life, resolve some personal issues about why I was drinking on a daily basis, and now that I’m back in Canada, I’ve been able to reconnect with those who really care giving me and loving me as a friend and a human being,” he said.
“That really helped me get my life going again, so I’m now back on track and looking forward to living for many more decades.”
Bowser added, “My health and well-being are now the focus of my life, and I have those who really care close to me. No more stupid things.”
Featured image credits: Getty Images/Philip FONG/AFP/Andrew Francis Wallace/Toronto Star
Topics: Nintendo, crime, American news, gaming, money