This was posted on another forum that I am on..........thought some may find it interesting.






Drug Kingpin's Own Secret Addiction: Car Forums









Accused International crime-kingpin Alexander Surin's new nickname is "Don Car-leone" after this weekend's arrest included the seizure of millions of dollars in exotic cars. That nickname's different than his secret forum screenname we found flaunting his automotive collecting prowess.

At the time of Surin's arrest in Spain this weekend, authorities seized the following vehicles from Switzerland and the United Kingdom. These vehicles represent what they now believe is only part of his amazing collection:

Bugatti Veyron (x2): $1,680,000 ($3,360,000)
Enzo Ferrari (x2): $613,000 ($1,226,000)
Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé: $491,000
Rolls-Royce Phantom: $421,500
Ferrari 599 GTB: $318,000
Ferrari California: $220,000
Porsche 911 GT3: $125,000
SOME of his cars:














One would expect a lifestyle like Alexander Surin's to stand out. But despite jet-setting around Europe for his "business," which, according to European police, most certainly included organized crime and drug-running, and amassing a collection of some of the most expensive exotic cars in the world, Surin supposedly lived a very quiet public life. Police claim he drove a "humble banger" around England rather than one of his fleet of exotic cars and never flaunted his amazing ill-gotten wealth.

That's because Surin kept his love of exotic cars hidden from the real world. Instead he chose to freely flaunt it in the digital world.
In 2006, Surin created an anonymous account on the Ferrari Chat (membership required) forum, a semi-exclusive online automotive lounge for owners and lovers of the famed Italian marque. It was there where he posted under the name "Icemanbops," a hilarious screen name given "iceman" is a slang term for a cocaine dealer. The "Bops" part is because this Alexander Surin may be Michael Boparan, a trader busted in a major customs sting in 2003 whose conviction was overturned due to a mistake on the part of the prosecution. He previously served time for masterminding an extensive identity theft ring in 1995



There are accounts under the same name on the Pistonheads forum and on Benzworld, where he talks about his SLR Roadster and refers to himself as a "Pharma Manufacturer."
Considering the secrecy with which he lived his life — police say he stashed more than $1.1 million in cash in the cars they found — the details he shared online — photos, and information about his Ferraris and about future Ferrari products — is astonishing.
It's clear in the many posts we examined on FerrariChat that Surin was seeking praise for his generosity (buying cars for his brother and wife) and also the acknowledgment of his amazing collection he couldn't get in the real world.
Quote:
Most of the other forum members gave Surin platitudes:What a life indeed.
in hindsight, some of the comments Surin posted on the forum are extremely appropriate, including an acknowledgment of the best way to do business with a dealer:He was also incredibly well-connected with the Ferrari establishment, sharing information about the Ferrari 599 GTO, which debuted this last week in China, way back in February 2009:Other than the timing he was completely right.
Not everyone took to "Icemanbops," who went by the name "Mike" (possibly in reference to his real name) in private conversations, mostly because there were few who believed someone could own all these cars. At one point another member calls BS on Surin's request for help in locating an Enzo, not realizing who he was dealing with.
An offended Surin responds:No one seems to ask what his business is, and he never tells. When someone presses him later to prove after he buys the Enzo its his he says he'll do whatever it takes to prove the car is his except pose for a picture with it. "I will answer every question and pander to all requests for pics (of the car that is)!" His brother, however, he was okay with showing in pictures.

There's more, but it would've been too long...

To see for yourself, check out:
http://jalopnik.com/5525486/drug-kin...ion-car-forums

 

Jesus, that's pretty crazy. Just shows you never really know who's on a forum with you, or anywhere else on the internet for that matter. Could be someone super famous, someone super deadly, or anywhere in between. Pretty interesting.

-Joe