A man in Olsztyn, northeast Poland, claims his avatar has been robbed of personal effects – including boots, shield and a helmet - worth over 200 euro. Police are investigating the virtual theft.

On Monday, a 27-year-old man reported an unusual theft. He claimed that for over a year he has been playing an internet game in which his avatar travelled the world and fought with other avatars. In order to enhance his avatar’s chances of winning fights, the man equipped him with boots, shield, necklace, bracelets and a helmet worth about 900 zloty (225 euro).

On 17 July, when the user logged on at the game site he noticed that the avatar had been robbed.

The men reported to police that his avatar’s property had been misappropriated.

“The man assessed that the equipment was worth about 900 zloty (225 euro). He spent 300 zloty (75 zloty) on boots, a shield, a necklace and bracelets 150 zloty (37 euro) each,” says Dawid Stefanski from the Olszyn police.

The victim suspects that the equipment was stolen by the brother of a woman who he regularly does battle with. He tried to contact the woman but she did not answer his calls, so after contacting the game host her account was blocked.

Only then did the woman’s brother text the theft victim and promised to return the loot in exchange for unblocking the account.

Despite the promise however the suspect did not return the equipment and, what is more, he started playing the game using the stolen virtual goods, claiming that they belong to his avatar.

At the time of writing a virtual battle is turning into a legal one. According to the Polish penal code, a person who seized someone’s property can face up to three years in prison. (mg/pg)

Source: PAP