Quote from: NoBit on June 08, 2016, 03:21:07 PM

Quote from: cjmoles on May 29, 2016, 05:14:39 PM

Quote from: bitdumper on May 29, 2016, 04:55:46 PM

If you found their private key by mathematical computation or guessing, I think it will not be considered illegal. But if you got that by using malware or trojan that may be illegal.
If you hacked Nobody can expect you can claim that wallet is yours.

So,

1) If they hacked into my machine and stole the private key; (illegal)
2) If they sniped the pk while snooping on a public access connection; (illegal)
3) If they brute forced the private key into existence; (not illegal)
4) If they snapped a shot of my private key qr code over my shoulder at an ATM. (not illegal)

What if I claimed an address on the block chain with a signature and 3 or 4 happened? Would I have a case then?

3) Is it illegal to write a check with your bank account and signature on it?
4) Is it illegal to look in the paper trash for cc information? Snap a shot and use it?

4) yes it is illegal. There would be no difference to using an ATM Skimmer setup (very illegal).... as for "look in the paper trash for cc information" ... that's why it is not printed on paper that goes into the trash anymore ... it is used to complete the transaction then securely destroyed. That is IF paper is used at all anymore. Manual Written transactions have gone the way of the Dodo as far as I am aware. The last time I ever saw the carbon paper slips was almost 20 years ago.