Kim Dotcom, also known as Kim Schmitz the 20-stone founder of file sharing website Megaupload, has been denied bail, despite being pestered by lovestruck inmates.
In a New Zealand courtroom to appeal a bail denial, Dotcom said he has received unwanted letters from female prisoners and a phone call from a man posing as a prosecutor.
A government lawyer said during the hearing that a known forger tried to visit Dotcom.
Dotcom stands accused of masterminding a scheme that made more than $175million in a few short years by copying and distributing music, movies and other copyrighted content without authorisation.
US authorities are trying to extradite Dotcom and three colleagues on racketeering charges.
They maintain the company simply offered online storage.
Dotcom was denied bail last month when Prosecutor Anne Toohey argued at the bail hearing that Dotcom, also known as Kim Schmitz, had access to funds, so was at risk of fleeing.
In his appeal hearing, Dotcom, nicknamed ‘Dr Evil’, told the court he had no intention of fleeing his native Germany, where he would be safe from extradition.
“I will not run away. I want to fight these allegations on a level playing field. I have three little children. My wife is pregnant with twins. I just want to be with them,” he said in court.
At his bail hearing last month, his defence lawyer, Paul Davison, said it would be difficult for the former hacker, who is reportedly 6ft 6in tall and weighs more than 20 stone (285lbs), to escape unnoticed.
Dotcom lived a flamboyant lifestyle
He owned a £3million collection of 25 cars with number plates such as ‘STONED’, ‘HACKER’ and ‘GUILTY’.
Although music stars such as Kanye West and Alicia Keys have supported MegaUpload, film and record companies say the seven-year-old file-sharing site is making a fortune off their work without paying them a penny.
