Originally posted by Mr Webname On the other hand not everything on the Internet is as it seems and not everyone is who they say they are - it wouldn't surprise me at all if "Nick Masters" never existed and was purely a figment of someone's imagination. I think the excitement and concern is probably misplaced and it has all been either a great joke which came to an end, or the realisation that it was a storyline that could not be continued forever. Remember, the greatest "conmen" are the most plausible, so it should come as no surprise that "he" is seen to be "real".
I am 99% sure Mr. Nick Master was a false name (aka web master - inter-nic). The familly members in the article were also 99% likely made-up names, I think we agree on all that. Plus the facts in the article may have been made-up too.
If my earlier posts about this were incorrect the only other 3 answers to the puzzle are:
(A) It's possible Namepooper was a made-up 2nd indentity of someone at this forum, who's character disappeared after the work was accomplished. Think about that, why would anyone do that?
(B) Without warning NP was arrested by the Police for a serious crime and could not post bail, perhaps an old arrest warrant, and is in jail.
(C) He suddenly passed away.
I still think my earlier posts are by far the most likley scenario but if incorrect then these possibilities are really all that remain.