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Police Seize Assets of TestKiller.com


7/10/2002 -- On June 6 San Antonio police seized assets of TestKiller Ltd., the company that runs the practice exam Web site TestKiller.com.

According to a police report filed with the Bexar County, Texas District Court on June 20, the raid was prompted by Microsoft, who alleged that the site was selling Microsoft certification exam questions.

In his affidavit, seizing police officer Daniel Flaharty, a detective in the Special Crimes Unit of the San Antonio Police Department, wrote that he was contacted by a representative from the anti-piracy office of Microsoft. The unnamed representative alleged to Flaharty that TestKiller Ltd. was selling Microsoft "trade secrets" in the form of questions and answers to Microsoft exams.

According to the report, Flaharty began an investigation based on Microsoft's complaint, which led to the June 6 seizure of $408,566.84 in cash as well as several phones, printers, computer equipment, software and other items from at least one location.

No charges have been filed in this investigation. Calls made to the Bexar County district attorney's office to determine whether the investigation was ongoing were not returned as of press time.

Garry L. Neale, one of Testkiller Ltd.'s owners, politely declined CertCities.com's request for an interview, referring all questions to his attorney, who is out of the country this week.

A spokesperson for Microsoft confirmed that the company was aware of the investigation but said he could not comment on it due to the legal nature of the story.

The Testkiller.com Web site has been offline since early June.

Neale is the former owner of Troy Technologies (TroyTec.com), which in December settled a civil copyright and trademark infringement lawsuit brought by certification vendor CompTIA (see "CompTIA v. TroyTec Settled; Company Pulls CompTIA-Related Products from Site, Denies Wrongdoing").

CertCities.com will continue to follow this story and bring you further updates as they develop.  -B.N.



There are 254 CertCities.com user Comments for “Police Seize Assets of TestKiller.com”
Page 1 of 26
7/10/02: AngryAdmin says: Shortly after starting an IT school, I received one of the TroyTec packets from an Administrative person from the school. At the time, I had no clue what it was or where it came from. Granted, I did look over the material, but not before I took the exam. I'm glad that I didn't because it means that I know what Microsoft was looking for and I'm glad that this type of action is being taken by Microsoft and other organizations. I feel that with my MOC program, that I didn't need and do not need any help from these TestKillers. One last thing: Why is it that CertCities advertises for ChinaITCertiyf.com? Isn't this the same thing as TestKiller.com or Cheetsheets.com? Kind of funny, in my opinion.
7/10/02: Anonymous says: And this happened 34 days ago. Nothing like up to the minute, news breaking reporting.
7/10/02: Anonymous says: one down, thousands more to go
7/10/02: Anonymous says: Well, to be honest, this should have happened 2 years ago. TestKiller.com or Troytec.com was around for a long time, and the police should have arrested the owners long time ago. What about all these other "Actual Questions" websites, the police should crack them down, Dont you think ????!!!
7/10/02: Beavis from New York says: First, is it right that we have to spend over $2000 per class and $200 in exams and official study materials for every baby step of the way only to have it change and be worthless three years from now? What a cash cow these vendors have. Second, if the vendors changed questions more often than we change presidents, would these test dumps really be an issue? Third, when I was in college, my profs always gave us samples of previous tests so we would know what is expected of us since everybody has a different view of the materials at hand. Only an idiot memorized these tests and and expected to pass on this alone. Even if they did sqeak through, real life weeded them out anyways. So where is the real evil here? Karma always wins in the end, regardless if you are the test giver or the test taker.
7/10/02: Anonymous says: YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAY!!! About time! Neale and his associates had it coming. Braindumps suck.
7/10/02: Anonymous says: For you purests out there. I work with hardcore Network Admins and I usually lead the pack. I researched the best ways to pass the tests and TestKiller was my choice. The material opened my eyes to obscure things about Windows 2000 and SQL 2000 not found in any books. The quality of person will decide if they research the answers so they understand the material. Same as in real life. No time if you go to Boot Camp. I am stronger for passing the tests and getting on with what I do and have no regrets. Bottom line is how much you know, how fast you respond and how well you handle it. Passing the test means nothing other than you were exposed to the material. My college degree is no better. Passing 9 tests was not easy and I'm proud I did.
7/10/02: Anonymous says: I hope they do the same with the other ones. I reported several sites to Microsoft but they still up and running. Testking.com is one of them and I have seen their ads in this site! This have devalued the certification program.
7/10/02: Anonymous says: It's about time we saw some action against braindumps. I worked very hard for my certifications and cheats devalue the whole process. There was a time when if you had that piece of paper it meant you knew what you were doing. Braindumps allow for paper MCSEs and paper CNEs. I once had a student in one of my classes who had passed all of the Microsoft exams except for the course he was taking (IIS). I don't know how he did it except that I found out he was using braindumps. I'm glad I only had him for the one class as this student couldn't even create a user!!!!
7/10/02: Anonymous says: I agree. The certs get you through the door and that is all. It is what you know and do that counts. Companies won't even give you a chance if you don't have the piece of paper. Get the things however you can. Then get in the door and prove yourself. If you can't hack it, you won't be around long anyway.
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