Ask a Jerk: Infiltration Alts, Buddy Invites, and API
A blog reader asks:
If you create a 21-day trial with the buddy system, Then activate it with a PLEX (crediting both accounts with the 30days, As I understand it) -- Is there any connection between the accounts that would show up, for instance in the information available through limited API key, if said key was requested by the Corp you wished to join on the (hopefully, anonymous) alt?
First off, last time I did this it didn't credit both accounts automagically as it should. This has something to do with PLEX activations being different from the traditional forms. You may have to petition a GM to get them to credit the account. Explain clearly what you're trying to do and you should have no problems.
To answer your question: In order to get PLEX onto your new account to activate it, you'll have to station trade it, contract it, give money to your alt for it, or drop it in a safe spot for your alt to pick up. All but the last option will leave an entry in your wallet, and will show up on a full API check. Dropping a PLEX in a can is something that is only recently possible with the ability to undock with them, but I haven't tested it. I imagine that no entry will be made in your wallet at all that way, making it look as if you were paying a regular subscription. Can someone test this for me and post in the comments what you find out?
Ignoring PLEX for a moment, there is still no non-suspicious way to seed ISK to your alt unless you want to drop unrefined ore in a can, sell it a little at a time, and claim you were mining. Regardless, none of this will show up in a limited API key check, which should be all you are giving out anyway. In every case where I've been asked for a full API key I've (quite reasonably) refused on privacy grounds, but I can see that there are more and more corps that will not let you in without a full API check, period.
So as far as the buddy system? You're good to go as long as you either refuse to give anything but a limited API key, or go through more trouble to transfer PLEX and pocket money to your alt through untraceable means.
You can't activate an account using a PLEX. They are for existing accounts only. (Well, thats what it says anyway)
Not true. I've created infil accounts using a PLEX.
You can activate a trial account, but they knock a few days off your PLEX gametime to account for the totally rad $5 tax they collect on new players.
Another method i have used to get cash from a trial to full paying is to get a commodity of some sort and sell it for the amount u need.
For example
Main = M
Trial = T
M account setups a Buy order of 15mil isk for a exotic dancer
T goes to the station with the order and sells to buy order.
I have only used this method once and if u find a remote location you maybe able to get away with it looking legit.