Sending a box of live cockroaches, a mask of a bloody pig, or a funeral wreath: in the United States, six former eBay employees are prosecuted for having carried out a campaign of harassment against 'a couple, announced the American justice Monday. The facts date back to August 2019. These employees of the online business platform acted in retaliation for a critical article, written by the editor and publisher of a newsletter, which dealt with a dispute involving eBay.
The employees, who have since been laid off, have been charged with cyber harassment and witness subordination, Massachusetts attorney Andrew Lelling said in a statement. These charges can each be punished by sentences of up to 5 years in prison.
Disturbing parcels and messages on Twitter
"Several of the accused ordered the delivery of very disturbing anonymous packages to the victims' homes, including a pig fetus, a Halloween mask representing a bloody pig, a funeral wreath, a book on how to survive the loss of a wife , and pornography, the latter packages being addressed to the name of the editor of the newsletter but sent to his neighbors, "explained the prosecutor, adding that the pig's fetus was never sent.
The defendants also posted messages on Twitter against the alleged victims, and public tweets criticizing their newsletter. They are also accused of having watched the couple, in particular by trying to install a GPS on their car, or by going to their home several times.
Two senior officials involved
This harassment campaign started after two eBay executives sent or forwarded messages stating that it was time to "sink" the publisher of the newsletter. After the police alerted the victims, the accused tried to block the investigation by lying to law enforcement officials and falsifying documents. Among them are the former eBay security director and another senior official.
In a statement, eBay said it ended the contracts of all defendants in September 2019, after an internal investigation. "EBay apologizes to those affected and is sorry that they had to endure this," added the group.
High-Tech
Tesla: Components Sold On eBay Still Contain Data From Former Customers
World
United Kingdom: He buys a photo of Jesse James on eBay for 8 euros ... and discovers that it is worth millions
- United States
- World
- Bullying
- Justice
- Ebay