Wwyd DS 15 has made alot of money by installing pirated Nintendo switch games

[nickiredcar]

Myself and DH are in disagreement as to what to do.

To put this quickly we've found out that ds has made alot (over 2k) from installing hundreds of pounds of pirated software onto people's Nintendo consoles and charging them for it. Totally illegal and if Nintendo found out they could sue for tens of thousands.

DS has used some of the money to buy new technology to help him in his legitimate projects / buisnesses. But still has lots left.

Wwyd?

Nothing apart from a chat about not doing it again. Not because I’m against pirated games/dvds but purely because he could get in a whole load of trouble being the one distributing them.

I'd talk to him about what getting a conviction would mean to the rest of his life, even the possibility of going to the US etc.

If he said he could never be caught, I'd remind him that you don't know who you can trust and people get jealous.

I'd also want to keep an eye on what he is using the money for, but only in a protective way.

I'd never shop my own child, unless it was for offences against children/and/or sexual offences.

Can he do mine? 😛

Praise him for his ingenuity and business acumen then confiscate the remaining money until he is 18.

One of you don't want to go to the Police, do you?

What mortifiedmama said.

Make him destroy the hard drive he's keeping it on/delete all files on his computer related to that and give the rest of the money to charity of his choice as it isn't really his to earn.
Have a convo about the whole thing, he's clearly got business brains, but Talk about how to do it productively rather then stealing.

I would try and find some examples of the consequences so they are real.
Then I would take the money off him.

I would find a way to get across to him that illegal entrepreneurship isn't clever or to be commended and the consequences of breaking the law. You react the same way you would if he was going into Tesco and shoplifting.

Confiscate all cash and anything bought with the cash and dispose of. Do not allow him to get the good feel factor of picking a charity and definitely don't give him the money from his illegal activities at 18, would you give back something he shoplifted at 18??? Make sure he knows how unhappy you are that he is a thief and has made you get involved in handling his proceeds of crime as it is also illegal.

The outcome got are looking for is for him to stay within the law in the future, so you need to come down hard and make sure he knows there are no grey areas and you will not condone it.

It is very easy for him to think he isn't doing anything too bad you need to make him understand he is.