Absolute response
 

Just received my "official response" from Absolute regarding the "alleged" scam.

I expected to see a copy somewhere in the forum but couldn't find one (maybe I looked in the wrong place).

If it hasn't been posted and anyone's interested I will post the full reply.

Re: Absolute response
 

Just post it, all we will do is flame you if its been posted already.

Edit: is it this http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showfl...e=0&fpart=1 ?

Re: Absolute response
 

This email was sent to me yesterday.

"Absolute Poker takes all allegations of player fraud and collusion extremely seriously. Fair play and security are of paramount importance to us. Our Security and Fraud Department is dedicated to ensuring that everyone on the site has a fair opportunity to win, and that no improper methods, devices, programs and/or other unfair advantages are ever utilized in our games.

We were greatly concerned by a recent thread on the 2+2 forums along with emails and other communications we received, regarding alleged player fraud. We thank the vigilant players who reported this matter to us giving us an opportunity to investigate these serious allegations.
We spent extensive resources thoroughly investigating and analyzing our players’ claims. While our investigation is ongoing, we feel that we have enough information at this point to share with you some of our findings. Please be advised, that we will continue to investigate each and every claim of wrongdoing on an individual basis and we will report any further significant findings that are appropriate for public review. Also, please keep in mind, while we endeavor to provide as much information as possible on a public level, we take our players’ privacy issues very seriously, and will never compromise this.

As a matter of Company policy, Absolute Poker never divulges personal information about our players nor do we make public any hand information that did not go to a showdown, ever. As a result, we are limited in terms of the level of information that we will share for public review.

In response to the allegations, we froze the accounts of the players in question while we performed an extensive investigation. The result of our investigation is that we found no evidence that any of Absolute Poker’s redundant and varying levels of game client security were compromised. In other words, it is impossible for any player or employee to see hole cards as was alleged. There is no part of the technology that allows for a “super user” account, and no way for any person to influence the game software to their advantage.

We base this finding on a thorough security check on a technology level coupled with a thorough investigation of hand histories including those that did not go to a showdown. As a part of our investigation, we also tested the integrity of our certified random number generator (“RNG”.) We determined that our RNG was not compromised either.

Details of the investigation We combed through all hands involving the accounts that were mentioned in the online forum. Please note that only a select number of hands were featured in the thread. Our ongoing investigation continues to show that there were countless instances where a somewhat unorthodox poker strategy resulted in a loss. Allegations that the player accounts at issue “always guessed right” are unfounded. We examined screen shots from Poker Tracker Software that displayed an “infinite” river aggression factor for one of the player accounts at issue. We examined similar screen shots, which showed a lower but still relatively high river aggression factor. We were very concerned by this anomaly. Accordingly, we reviewed each and every hand that this player played during the relevant time and determined that while the play was extremely aggressive, particularly on the river, there were several instances where the player merely called on the river. Thus, the allegation that the player accounts at issue “never called on the river, they either raised or folded” are also without merit.

With respect to the allegation of chip dumping, we have determined that chip dumping by at least one of the accounts at issue, did in fact, take place. We have determined that the chip dumping was made to several seemingly unrelated accounts. We are continuing to investigate this issue.

Conclusion A 'super user' account does not exist in our software. Absolute Poker was created by poker players who value security and fair play. The back-end of the Absolute Poker software prevents the possibility of any such feature. Our game client only receives data regarding an individual’s hand and no other player hole cards are ever visible – by anyone – except in the event of a showdown. Having said that, we will continue this investigation as well as look into any other allegations of wrongdoing. If appropriate, we will freeze funds and reimburse effected players.

Absolute Poker remains a 100% secure place to play. We value all of our players and we will continue to provide our community with a safe, secure, and exciting online poker experience.

The Absolute Poker Management"

Re: Absolute response
 

it's in BBV for some reason. i suspect it will end up in the zoo where it should be.

Re: Absolute response
 

[censored] cheats.

Re: Absolute response
 

They sent that to you YESTERDAY??

please make sure that is correct- and if so notify someone like Adanthar- it's yet another instance of them not having their act together. they've admitted something like 5 days ago they were compromised.

Re: Absolute response
 

isn't this the other press release from like 10/15, word for word?

either an email took 9 days to arrive or somebody copy/pasted the wrong thing. lmao.

Re: Absolute response
 

Grunt, can you please confirm the date of that email?

(I don't mean the date it arrived, I mean the stated date at the top of the letter.)

Anyone else receives this regurgitated nonsense from AP, please post details.

Re: Absolute response
 

Adanthar- I'm pretty sure without checking it's actually verbatim the one posted in the zoo thread by "absolute support" a couple weeks back.

Did anyone ever IP check that?

I agree it's funny that this statement resurfaces now- but it's also pretty revealing of how Absolute operates.

Not that it shocks anyone any more.

Re: Absolute response
 

[ QUOTE ]
They sent that to you YESTERDAY??

please make sure that is correct- and if so notify someone like Adanthar- it's yet another instance of them not having their act together. they've admitted something like 5 days ago they were compromised.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yes they did !

Please excuse my ignorance but who is Adanthar and why should I contact him ?

Re: Absolute response
 

that email was one of Absolute's 1st attempts at trying to lie their way through this mess.

they have since that time come up with a more accurate description of what happened. it involves a superuser.

google -- A J green scott tom absolute poker

Re: Absolute response
 

[ QUOTE ]
Grunt, can you please confirm the date of that email?

(I don't mean the date it arrived, I mean the stated date at the top of the letter.)

Anyone else receives this regurgitated nonsense from AP, please post details.

[/ QUOTE ]
The only date on the email was the time it was sent to me and that was Wednesday, 24October, 2007. 7:34:35pm.

Re: Absolute response
 

Just received this from Absolute.

AP Official Statement [#8196277]‏
From: support@absolutepoker.com
Sent: Saturday, 27 October 2007 12:47:48 PM
To: gruntasmith@hotmail.com
Dear Valued Customer, I am the former Grand Chief of the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake and the owner of Tokwiro Enterprises ENRG, which holds a 100% interest in Absolute Poker.
As many of our players are aware, there has been a security breach in our system that allowed unlawful access to player information that resulted in unfair play. I am writing to you today to let you know what we know so far in order to set the record straight, and to assure you of AP’s commitment to player security. I am sure that this letter will not address all of the questions and concerns you may have, nor will it extinguish the heated discussion surrounding this issue.
At this point, our intention is to let you know all we can disclose and to assure you of our continued efforts to keep you informed as best we can as the investigations continue. We deeply regret this situation has occurred. A breach in security in online poker is serious and of great concern to players and the industry worldwide, and this particular situation has been the subject of debate within the poker player community and in the media, giving rise to the creation of several websites and hundreds and hundreds of comments, opinions, and theories of what occurred – some of which are accurate, and some that are not.
Like you, I have not been happy that during the initial stage of our investigation, AP has not been more forthcoming in providing a timely or comprehensive explanation on this matter, giving rise to anger, suspicion, and concern on the part of our valued customers. I hope that our customers can appreciate that this remains an incredibly complex and sensitive issue, and I want to give you my strongest possible assurance that we will be as forthcoming as possible on how this breach occurred and what we are doing to remedy the situation.
What We Know and Actions We Have Taken AP was notified by a customer that a possible cheating incident occurred during a recent tournament, and in response forwarded players’ hand logs. This disclosure of the hand logs prompted our customers to determine that a more serious security breach had occurred. We immediately launched an internal investigation and also requested a formal audit by Gaming Associates, an acknowledged world-wide expert in audits, interactive gaming tests, and information security.

Based upon our preliminary findings, it appears that the integrity of our poker system was compromised by a high-ranking trusted consultant employed by AP whose position gave him extraordinary access to certain security systems. A has been speculated i several online forums, this consultant devised a sophisticated scheme t manipulate internal systems t access third-party computers and accounts t view hole cards o other customers during play without their knowledge.
As this consultant was aware o the details o our fraud detection process, the likelihood that the scheme would b uncovered through our normal procedures was minimized. We consider this security breach t be a horrendous and inexcusable offense.
We will pay for all losses suffered by the affected players as soon as our audit is finished and the amounts are determined. Although we are in the process of attempting to recover all the winnings of this consultant, any unrecovered losses of affected players will be paid by Absolute Poker so that all affected persons will be made whole.
Next Steps We are still investigating whether the consultant was acting alone or in concert with others, and it appears at this time that all account holders are innocent of collusion and were unaware of any wrong-doing by the consultant, who was immediately terminated.
We continue to investigate this matter aggressively, and all of these preliminary findings are subject to the audits currently underway. We have recently uncovered additional accounts used by the consultant that have not been publicly reported. So as to not compromise the investigation, we are not releasing the names of these additional accounts at this time, and will contact these affected customers individually.

The specific allegations of unlawful activity are being investigated both by AP and by the authorized authorities, including the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. We will continue to actively cooperate with these authorities in full compliance with the Regulations Concerning Interactive Gaming.

In addition to our own investigation and the audit by Gaming Associates, we have also submitted to an audit by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission. Please be assured that we have corrected the problem that allowed the system to be unfairly manipulated. We are working furiously to increase the safeguards within our systems. While we are satisfied that our systems are secured, we realize that our security systems must be continuously monitored and enhanced. Without question, this incident has been unfortunate for all concerned, and we will emerge as a stronger company.

I realize it will take some time and much more information for AP to re-earn the trust and confidence of our customers who are in doubt of our commitment to the highest levels of security, privacy and integrity.
As we move to address and correct this situation, our valued customers have played a vital role in uncovering this scheme through various online forums and have become an active part of the solution. With my full sincerity, I thank you, and I promise to keep you updated as we bring this situation to a close.
Sincerely, Joe Norton

Re: Absolute response
 

[ QUOTE ]
Just received this from Absolute.

AP Official Statement [#8196277]‏
From: support@absolutepoker.com
Sent: Saturday, 27 October 2007 12:47:48 PM

[/ QUOTE ]

[x] email from the future

Re: Absolute response
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Just received this from Absolute.

AP Official Statement [#8196277]‏
From: support@absolutepoker.com
Sent: Saturday, 27 October 2007 12:47:48 PM

[/ QUOTE ]

[x] email from the future

[/ QUOTE ]

[ ] email from the future
[X] email from a different time zone

Re: Absolute response
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Just received this from Absolute.

AP Official Statement [#8196277]‏
From: support@absolutepoker.com
Sent: Saturday, 27 October 2007 12:47:48 PM

[/ QUOTE ]

[x] email from the future

[/ QUOTE ]

[ ] email from the future
[X] email from a different time zone

[/ QUOTE ]
haha

Re: Absolute response
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Just received this from Absolute.

AP Official Statement [#8196277]‏
From: support@absolutepoker.com
Sent: Saturday, 27 October 2007 12:47:48 PM

[/ QUOTE ]

[x] email from the future

[/ QUOTE ]
LOL Yes us Aussies are always 14 hours ahead of you yanks !

Re: Absolute response
 

grunta- that email now is Absolute Poker's statement from last Sunday.

They seem to be catching up with themselves- albeit slowly.

I mentioned contacting Adanthar because he is one of the lead players in the uncovering of what we know now to be true about Absolute Poker and the superuser cheating scandal.
Also because it is apparent that despite their official interim position now being that cheating did occur, they hadn't stopped telling some people it hadn't. That's all.

It is obvious from the thread he is now aware of the date and time of the email, but I wanted to make sure he had up to date examples of how it was or wasn't being resolved by Absolute Poker.

Please keep us informed as you get emails.


Also- does anything interesting happen tomorrow so I know whether I should get up or not?

Re: Absolute response
 

[ QUOTE ]
grunta- that email now is Absolute Poker's statement from last Sunday.

They seem to be catching up with themselves- albeit slowly.

I mentioned contacting Adanthar because he is one of the lead players in the uncovering of what we know now to be true about Absolute Poker and the superuser cheating scandal.
Also because it is apparent that despite their official interim position now being that cheating did occur, they hadn't stopped telling some people it hadn't. That's all.

It is obvious from the thread he is now aware of the date and time of the email, but I wanted to make sure he had up to date examples of how it was or wasn't being resolved by Absolute Poker.

Please keep us informed as you get emails.


Also- does anything interesting happen tomorrow so I know whether I should get up or not?

[/ QUOTE ]
OK thanks mate !
As I said before, I'm new here so please excuse my ignorance. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]