Users of Microsoft’s Xbox live are at the centre of scam that allowed certain users to exploit the system and make away with a virtual heist of Xbox points that can be used to buy digital content.
Early reports this week suggested that as much as 1.2 million dollars worth of points had been stolen with no way of Microsoft knowing who has taken part in the scam.
Users could stockpile points just be clicking refresh over and over again. One unnamed scallywag claimed to have snagged $150 worth of points in just 20 minutes.
Microsoft quickly caught on and put a stop to all the fun, but not before pirates had apparently netted more than a millions of points.
But crime never pays, right? Wrong. Due to the way the exploit worked, it seems that there is no way for the platform holder to track down any of the perpetrators.
Microsoft has since issued a statement with regards to the exploit, and has outlines plans for routing out the offenders and in most cases suspending their accounts due violations of the agreement made with their users.
“We are aware of the situation and have taken steps to invalidate the codes obtained illegitimately,” it read.
“We take safety and security very seriously and require that Xbox Live members use the service in compliance with applicable laws and specifically prohibit people from engaging in illegal activity as a part of our Terms of Use and Code of Conduct.
“Our Policy and Enforcement team is evaluating whether or not certain individuals have violated the Terms of Use for Xbox Live and will take the appropriate enforcement on an individual basis. Codes obtained legitimately by users will not be impacted.”
Microsoft also insisted that the $1.2 million dollar figure that early reports claim the scam had cost the platform holder was well wide of the mark.
“We can’t share specific numbers, but the figure is nowhere near the amount that has been reported,” explained a spokesperson.
