Cheet-Sheets.com Owner Pleads Guilty; May Face Jail Time
8/27/2002 -- Oregon resident Robert R. Keppel, owner of the now-defunct braindump Web sites Cheet-Sheets.com and CheetSheets.com, pleaded guilty in federal court Friday to a charge of theft of trade secrets, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 1832(a)(2).
The charge resulted from allegations made by Microsoft that Keppel was selling questions and answers to Microsoft certification exams.
When he's sentenced on November 1, Keppel faces up to 10 years in prison and $250,000 in fines. He also forfeited a Lexus RX300, a 1997 Ferrari Spider and $56,000 in cash as part of a plea agreement. CertCities.com attempted to reach both Keppel and his attorney for comment, but did not receive a response before this story was posted online.
Assistant United States Attorney Annette Hayes, who prosecuted the case, said this is first application of the theft of trade secrets statute to procure a conviction within the realm of IT certification testing. In June, police in Bexar County, Texas seized the assets of TestKiller LTD and its owners citing the same felony charge, but criminal charges have not been filed in that case.
Previously, most "braindump" cases were pursued in civil court, citing copyright and trademark violations. "The [theft of trade secrets] statute is not that old... which is probably why there hasn't been many [criminal cases of this type]. But there's nothing unique about this case," said Hayes. "We picked this statute because it was the one that applied."
According to Microsoft, the case began when the company received allegations from customers that the content of Keen's CheetSheets contained live exam items. Microsoft made a criminal complaint to the Federal Bureau of Investigations during the summer of 2001, which turned the investigation over to its Computer Crimes Division.
In Sept. 2001, the FBI's Computer Crimes Division issued search warrants and seized the cash and cars listed above, as well as papers and other evidence. According to the government, this evidence showed that Keppel began selling the questions some time in 1999. He began buying exam questions from a source in Pakistan in January 2001, which he then incorporated into his test materials. (The government declined CertCities.com's request for the name of the Pakistan source.) Records from a NOVA credit card merchant account, opened by Keppel in July 2000, show that the business earned at least $753,633.03 while that account was active, the government said.
Hayes said that criminal charges were never filed in this case. When her office was given the case in late 2001, they initiated contact with Keppel, and eventually negotiated the guilty plea through Keppel's attorney. The government then filed a Statement of Information with the court on August 8, paving the way for Keppel to enter his plea on Friday.
Hayes told CertCities.com that her office will make sentencing recommendations in late October. According to Hayes, Keppel is currently out on "pre-trial" release.
"I think it's important to note that the government is pursuing these types of cases and we will continue to do so," said Hayes.
Word of the plea spread over the weekend after the Seattle Post-Intelligencer published a short news story online.
"I was ecstatic when I heard the news," said Craig Callaway, president of Self Test Software. "Yes, it's good for [test question] vendors like us, but this is really about the industry as a whole. There's got to be a concerted effort to protect the integrity of certification."
"[This plea] will raise awareness of this problem," said Robert Pedigo, executive director of the Information Technology Certification Security Council, an industry organization that works to preserve the integrity of IT certification exams. "It is probably fair to take this as a shot across the bow of anyone who is attempting to cheat."
Pedigo said that certification vendors are working on improving exam security through a variety of means, including tighter nondisclosure agreements, greater scrutiny of testing centers and legal action, but they are also looking to the certified community for help. "This is an active concern that every single person who holds a certificate should bear in mind. By becoming certified, one is a member of a professional group. And it's important that one defend the integrity of that group."
The owner of one braindump site who wished to remain anonymous told CertCities.com that the plea was not that big a concern. Unlike CheetSheets.com, which commercially packaged live exam items, the source explained that most braindump sites are free collections of thousands of questions submitted by end users. "There's a big difference between looking at 150 screenshots [of actual] questions and poring through a thousand questions -- you can't memorize a thousand questions," the source said. "I think the certification programs realize this."
Even so, the source added that this case may influence his/her site: "I'm thinking of moving away from actual questions and more toward study guides."  - B.N.
|
There are 142  user Comments for “Cheet-Sheets.com Owner Pleads Guilty; May Face Jail Time”
|
|
Page 3 of 15
|
| 8/27/02: MCSE/MCDBA/MCT So What says: |
This ridiculous. Everyone is arguing over nonsense. Here's some advise! Get yours while you can and use the market for your own profit while you can. This is whats it's all about people. And if you can really do the job like you tested then you'll possibly make a few more $$, but if your an accountant for 10 years and then get MCSE do you really think you'll have a shot at making more money with the MCSE immediately? Maybe...but it's all a crap shoot anyway people. All this about how valid a CERT is. I've been in IT for 10 years and have worked with several knucklehead "BS Of Science" or "4 Year Wonders" grads who at best built a few servers and created a few accounts in thier college dorm room smokin weed, land jobs at 80k because of the degree, but wouldn't know squat about the 200+ server farm I've worked on. Society is built around College Educations...PERIOD. Certifications & hands on experience also count. But just a Cert that you memorized your ass off in one way or another? I dont think so. But more power to ya...I hope you can take care of your family with it during these times of NO JOBS, FAILING STOCK MARKET, and INCREASED COST OF LIVING. Take take take til the ya can't take anymore. Now I'm going for CCNA until the same thing happens all over again. Or maybe I'll get into selling Real Estate..I heard that test is easy too! LOL LOL LOL!!! |
| 8/27/02: Anonymous says: |
Just to defend Transcender. They are actually very legal. Unlike Braindumps who steal, Transcenders hire writers to write "Microsoft Type" questions. They are not the same questions exactly, but any writer who is really familiar with MS type questions can write their own questions that appear very similar. No, I do not work for Transcender and I haven't even used them as I prefer hands-on experience to memorization, but I thought I would let people know that I have investigated them fully and they are very legal. |
| 8/27/02: OSI big dog from kansas says: |
I am MCSE(2000), MCSA, A, CCNA. Working towards an MCDBA since the knuckleheads can't seem to memorize Transact SQL code, and they don't want to... LOL. The CCNA (640-607)exam isn't as hard as everyone makes it out to be, even with the simulations on it. Maybe that is because I had over a year working with the product first??? IF you have studied hands on with the product you are testing on, you won't have problems with any certification exams. That's how they all should be. Decertifying the folks that used the brain dumps would be a good thing, unless those people ordered them unwittingly. I have a friend who ordered a troytec guide, and got it after he had already taken the exam! Ordered it the day before the test thinking he could download it on the spot. Friends from school told him it was a great study guide... Reported it to Microsoft after he looked it over and realized what was really going on. People like that don't need decertified for being duped into unscrupulous vendors traps... Most IT guys with some skills run circles around the guys with degree in Computer Information Sciences because they actually use modern skills on the job and not some outdated COBOL crap and 35 hours of math.... Good luck on your career, make the right decisions.... |
| 8/27/02: Anonymous says: |
I am glad to see these braindump sites getting shutdown but does anyone think 10 years would be a bit harse. Maybe 2 years and a big fine. |
| 8/27/02: Anonymous from New York City says: |
What distinguishes a cheat sheet from a valid study guide? The word-for-word duplication of exam questions (copyright), the dissemination of trade secrets or the violating of an express agreement between parties not to disclose test questions or solutions? I have purchased study guides including popular test software such as Transcender to prepare for tests. Several of these are of sufficient quality to point out deficiencies and suggest reading materials to assist in the learning process. Who is next? Do I have to worry that since I’ve purchased Transcender tests, Exam Prep, Learnkey training videos and Testking study guides, that I’m going to lose my certifications? My employer and I have paid thousands for in-house and in-class Microsoft CTEC training, Cisco, Sun Solaris, and Novell pursuing MCSE, CNE, CCNP, CCIE and Solaris certifications. Should anyone have to worry that they’ll lose their certification if they bought something other than Microsoft Press, Cisco Press or vendor approved study guides? All you have to do is have a support contract with Microsoft and suddenly technical solutions to Microsoft software bugs and security holes are trade secrets you agree not to publicly disclose. That reminds me…must shred and burn those knowledgebase documents piled high on my desk before they fall into some cyber-terrorists hands or disclose some trade secret. Vendor certifications have created a large market for publishers and training centers as well as unscrupulous cheat sheet publishers. Just look at the prices of vendor authorized materials: According to one CTEC, Checkpoint charges 400 dollars for their approved NG study guide, Citrix supposedly charges about the same, I’ve been quoted between 200 and 250 for Microsoft Official Curriculum materials. At least Solaris was just 75 dollars for their Solaris guides. One Novell authorized center wanted me to pay 400 for an IntraNetware 4.11 to Netware 5.x guide. As well, consider what we are paying for tests, 125 for Microsoft, 150 for Cisco, and 150 dollars for Solaris tests. It is bad enough that Microsoft wastes our time forcing us to take marketing surveys before tests. They should come to the realization that most people give random answers to the marketing questions so that they can get to the test without getting more anxious. If Microsoft complied my survey answers they would come to the erroneous conclusion that I was a transgender-CTO with more than a million employees. Now we have to add to the test taking anxiety the notion that the folks at Redmond will be obtaining customer lists from publishers and book vendors, and de-certify some people, in order to make it appear that they are adding value to their certifications. It may sound ridiculous, but look at how often the public has found out that Microsoft was “accidentally” surreptitiously gathering and analyzing information from peoples’ computers. They’ll never get the cheat sheets and brain dumps under control, but they sure will create a lot of press and marketing data from their efforts. Test software and study guide prices will soar to cover the expected legal costs. The only winners will be the lawyers collecting legal fees. |
| 8/27/02: 2002AD from Canada says: |
The time has come for all of us to reflect on how we go forward as an industry of professionals. If we are to be truly respected in the marketplace, by decision-makers and peers alike we need to divorce ourselves from this need to vendor-certify-- instead, we need to industry-certify like our peers in Engineering, Architecture, Accounting, Law, Medicine, etc. Let's claim Informaticians (or "Informatics") as a profession unto ourselves, with varied subgroupings for developers (desktop, web, mobile), administrators (networks, databases, servers) as well as (possibly) managers (at least one techincal area, plus project/people management). Let's create designations recognized not only by subgroupings, but also by education: higher levels for higher learning-- this will reinforce the importance of tertiary education, encouraging more people to pursue Masters and PhDs. Computing Societies are a great idea, but we need to further the point by ratifying industry-level designations. Vendor certs could become an optional foot in the door, as an additional credit where a B.Sc or higher is missing from a given resume. An elected review panel could determine the wheat from the chaff through one or more industry-standardized (ANSI, ISO, etc.) examinations. The benefits of hands-on lab exams scream volumes here, and, in short order cheaters would be rooted out. We can learn a lesson from our peers in Engineering-- plenty of B.Eng students cheating their way through university find themselves rudely awaken when faced with earning their P.Eng designation. We should be no different. If government, educational institutions and private enterprise join forces, we could effectively limit vendor-cert penetration. In this case, everyone wins: businesses & government will tend to experience far more qualified applicants for work, and can establish their own guidelines for pay-scales according to a given designation & level. The educational sector can benefit from an influx of applications. Vendor certifications, cheats and the like, will give way to true professionals, the Informatics. IT Professionals must seriously consider feasible, solid alternatives to vendor certifications, if we are to maintain any dignity in the media, and more importantly, in the workplace. Values such as dilligence, honesty & professionalism can be the hallmarks of our trade, if we open our minds to challenges far greater than easily-cheated vendor certifications. (P.Eng = Professional Engineering license in Ontario, Canada) |
| 8/28/02: Jason Sprague from Portland, OR says: |
Most of the anger towards MS in here is the result of a very important misunderstanding. The MCSE was never designed to help you get your first job or replace a college degree. As is stated on Microsoft's web site: "The Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) credential is the premier certification for professionals who analyze the business requirements and design and implement the infrastructure for business solutions". Does that sound like the job description of a helpdesk employee??? Too many people try to use certs as a shortcut to a better career, but it just doesn't work that way. Tests too expensive? Don't take them. If the questions don't apply to "your real world", then the cert probably isn't for you. The questions are too tricky? Tough! It is Microsoft's cert program and they can do what they wish with it. Nobody has a gun to your head and if you don't like the certification program, why bother. I can't get a job so I need the certs? Judging from some of the posts, all of the certs in the world won't help you. Some of the people that posted are obviously unethical, immoral, lazy, illogical, whiney, have an attitude problem, suffer from "silver spoon" syndrome, etc... That is the reason that you can't get a job.. The Trade Piracy law is stupid? Why don't you create something and then I will steal it and make $750,000 in 2 years off of your work and then let's see how you feel then. Who cares if they are stealing from a large corporation like MS? It is the same crime! These criminals have become without working very hard and I don't understand why that wouldn't piss off those of you that have worked hard. Personally, I think 10 years is a pretty light sentence for these people, mainly because they knowingly repeated the same crime everyday that they woke up and went to work. As for the products themselves, their certainly is a grey area where it is hard to tell if the company is violating any laws. Cheetsheets is a no brainer and there are dozens of others that fall way outside the gray area. MS is not going to decertify those that purchased these materials, but as an individual you should do everything that you can to avoid supporting criminals. If you want to continue justifying the activities of these companies, maybe you should have your mother read these posts and see what she thinks before you post :) |
| 8/28/02: Anonymous from Morroco says: |
They should just let this braindump stuff be as far as I am concerned. What difference will it make anyway stopping dumps. In the first place,the man did not hide himself or did anything under cover fro day one. Microsoft should device a more clever means for setting thier questions. THAT ALL!! |
| 8/28/02: Mike Johnson,MCP from PH,Nigeria says: |
They should just let this braindump stuff be as far as I am concerned. What difference will it make anyway stopping dumps. In the first place,the man did not hide himself or did anything under cover from day one. Microsoft should device a more clever means for setting thier questions. THAT ALL!! |
| 8/28/02: Garry from UK says: |
I worked my butt off for my MCSE NT with no braindumps I have a good job and 7 years experience and a divorce because I was always studying.I haven't sat 2000 exams because my company uses NT. N,aturally I was upset when MSoft were pulling the plug all the exams are now towards enterprise not small companies with a dozen servers I will upgrade when we change I did a one year course with Cisco and am now a CCNA but I didn't need braindumps.I learnt and practiced I recently joined a couple of groups on yahoo and all they talk about is braindumps boring!!what about good old fashioned studying.It all looks pretty on paper but when it comes to the crunch all certs mean nothing without knowledge. Should Keppel be arrested for making a quid hmm.. maybe but that seems to be the American way. Everyone is after a short cut to the big $$ but only brain dead plebs use this type of material, I pity the IT industry, maybe this is why wages are coming down, the world has seen there are a lot of frauds and think we are not worth the money.If people need to cheat they will find a way why fight Microsoft? why not jump on the band wagon and make more $$££ I failed an exam but it made me more determined not to be beaten by MSoft or Cisco but to resort to cheating I think not. |
First Page Previous Page Next Page Last Page
|
|
|
|
