Posted by Or Ways Social Networking is Fucking Shit up for Criminals and Assholes
Stories of internet vigilantism are becoming increasingly common, and with social networking sites enabling information to travel as fast as a speeding bullet and spread as quickly as gonorrhea, it’s easier than ever for people seeking revenge to take the law into their own hands. Though law officials are trying to keep internet justice under control, bad news travels fast and the word is always out before they can put a stop to it. Here are some notable cases of vigilantism, possible because of social networking.
With close to a half-billion users, Facebook has become the go-to website for Internet Vigilanties itching to dispense some good old vigilante justice.
Justice Served
Internet vigilantes named and shamed Kenny Christopher Glenn, a 14 year old cat abuser that posted videos of himself and his brother beating the piss out of their cat. A number of internet communities managed to find out his name, where he lived, his phone number and the school he goes to, getting support from around the globe to make sure these kids don’t get away with their blatant cruelty.
eBay Vigilantes
Unhappy with eBay’s failed attempts at eliminating fraudulent eBay activity, an increasing number of upset eBay users have been taking justice into their own hands and becoming eBay vigilantes. Bidding millions of dollars on items they believe to be a sham, they are warning bidders to stay away from faulty auctions by ensuring that no one wins them. Funny thing is eBay is not at all happy about the vigilantes, claiming they are disrupting legitimate auctions. eBay is actually spending more time cracking down on them than they are eBay scammers.
Facebook Vigilantes
Smokey the Teenage Mom
Rebecca Davey, an 18 year old mother was investigated by police after photographs of her six-month old son with a cigarette in his mouth were posted on Facebook. Rebecca then declared her love for her son, writing: ‘Why Would SomeOne Do That To Me U Ollie No was taking U Yur Mine for lyfee Darlinggg Mummy Loves You 
’
Poor, poor child…
Cat Killers Convected
Back in 2008, four teenage boys/evil horrible shitheads were accused of killing a cat by putting it in a microwave. Facebook vigilantes then decided to name and identity the accused on several Facebook pages.
One person set up a hate group and wrote, “I think people like that should be shot.” Another person, who originally posted the names, wrote: “They will all get their faces smashed in by January 6th.”
The problem is that the act of identifying individuals charged under the Youth Criminal Justice Act is illegal and could lead to criminals getting off on petty technicalities. Moreover, ignorance cannot be used as a defense. Technology is creating new legal scenarios for lawyers and judges — particularly sites like Facebook, which allow users to self-publish. A person convicted could well face a more severe sentence from a judge.
Baby P’s Revenge
Peter Connelly (also known as “Baby P” and “Baby Peter”) was a 2 year old boy who died in London after suffering more than 50 injuries over an eight-month period. Peter’s mother, Tracey Connelly, her boyfriend, Steven Barker, and Jason Owen (revealed to be the brother of Barker) were all convicted of causing or allowing the death of a child. The identities of the convicted were circulating via unofficial news websites and social networking sites. Online vigilantes began a campaign calling for violent retribution.
One Facebook group was entitled “Death is too good for [the mother's name], torture the bitch that killed Baby P”. Another that carried the name said “Baby P killers should be hanged Drawn and Quartered”. Facebook shut down pages carrying threats and abusive comments about the mother after thousands of users subscribed to groups carrying the names of the couple and Jason Owen.
Twisted Fire Starter
Authorities charged Brendan Sokaluk, a 39-year-old who once served as a volunteer fighter of lighting one of Australia’s deadly wildfires that killed a total of more than 180 people in Australia. FB vigilantes revealed the Aussie wildfire starter’s photo and address, threatening his life. At least two Facebook groups have been created to name and shame the alleged arsonist, and thousands of Facebook users have joined them.
Police in Victoria demanded Facebook remove Sokaluk’s details and urged people to let them do their job.
Twitterlantes
26 year old Paul Chambers was arrested after joking about blowing up Doncaster’s Robin Hood Airport after his flight got delayed and decided to write this in a tweet:
“‘Crap! Robin Hood airport is closed. You’ve got a week and a bit to get your shit together, otherwise I’m blowing the airport sky high”
Police were alerted to the Tweets, and Mr. Chambers was arrested. He was held under UK anti-terror laws, and locked up for seven hours. He was eventually released on bail, and will have to appear in court on February 11th. Worst of all (for him), he has been banned for life from Robin Hood airport and has been suspended from his job.
