# Kim Dotcom

Also known as: Kim Schmitz

Charged, Arrested

Public record reviewed to August 20, 2026

Index entry last updated August 21, 2026

_Alleged_ founder and controlling figure of Megaupload.

Every charge in this entry is an allegation. No conviction is recorded.

- Founder of Megaupload.
- Extradition to the US was contested for years in New Zealand courts.

Everything on this page comes from cited public sources.

This entry records 2 actions across 1 takedown, each traced to a cited source. At least one linked takedown was added in the extended pass and was not independently source verified. Where the record is silent, this page says so rather than filling the gap.

Legal summary

**Associated takedowns:** [Megaupload seizure](https://takedownindex.org/takedowns/megaupload-seizure)

**Recorded role:** Founder and controlling figure of Megaupload

**Group segment:** Core operator

**Charging authority:** United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Virginia

**Charging jurisdiction:** United States

**Case number:** Not published

**Latest recorded action:** Arrested, January 2012

**Nationality:** Germany

**Country of residence:** New Zealand

- [Associated takedowns](https://takedownindex.org/people/kim-dotcom)
- [Legal history](https://takedownindex.org/people/kim-dotcom/legal-history)
- [Charges](https://takedownindex.org/people/kim-dotcom/charges)
- [Sources](https://takedownindex.org/people/kim-dotcom/sources)

## Legal history

Every step recorded in the public legal record for this person, in the order it happened.

These entries describe procedure only. Nothing here establishes guilt, and a charge remains an allegation until a court rules.

1. January 19, 2012

2. January 20, 2012

Record note. Dates follow the earliest official announcement of each step. Where proceedings were subject to reporting restrictions, this entry records only what was published.