Former Old School RuneScape Developer Sentenced For Stealing In-Game Gold From Players
Kotaku · 2026-09-05
A former RuneScape developer, hired by Jagex in 2015, has been sentenced for stealing in-game items from players. The developer, named Lakeman, secretly siphoned items from the player base and laundered them through secondary markets and cryptocurrencies. An internal investigation and sting operation were launched after missing items were flagged starting in 2018, leading to his capture. Lakeman initially denied the thefts but his devices and receipts revealed he gained nearly half a million in his dealings. Texts suggested he even boasted about the scheme to his wife, planning to target high-paying accounts. The case highlights ongoing legal concerns regarding secondary markets and the relationship between in-game goods and real-world currency in popular games like RuneScape, Roblox, and Fortnite.