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The money accounted for earnings since the company was set up — Ortmann calls it “years of growth and managing our increasing popularity”. But he has no illusions about how much money it was. “That single year was already enough to make us financially independent. It was like €9 million in dividends in 2010 — that’s enough for a lifetime.”

“Then we massively expanded our infrastructure, which increased our cost base. Revenue stayed level. In 2011, our revenue was similar to 2010, but profit was much lower. In 2011, the directors’ payments were much lower. Bram and myself got zero money out of 2011. It is a misconception we were bathing in money until the very end. We only got substantial money after the 2010 dividends.”

There was money to be made, he says, but that’s about how the business is run. If they had limited access, revenue would have climbed. Instead, he says, the business focus was on growth. “We didn’t see this as a time-limited criminal enterprise. We saw this as a very successful business that was in for the long run.”

A time was coming when Megaupload would have to be deconstructed and replaced with new software and new hardware without, hopefully, disturbing its client base. “That cut would have been very painful with a live site. Imagine trying to upgrade a DC-3 to an A-380 in flight,” says Ortmann.

WHEN DOTCOM WAS asked to name the five best experiences which had come with the money he and Megaupload had earned, he demurred. Two memories, he thought, might be acceptable for sharing. That’s where it would have to stop though, he said, smiling. The others were X-rated.

“I’ve always been a playboy. I’ve always had a lot of girls, a lot of fun and I didn’t care too much about having a relationship. I just wanted to have fun,” he says. “When I met Mona, all of that changed.”

The couple met in a club in Manila in November 2007. Mona Verga has been a part of Dotcom’s life since.

“I’ve not betrayed her once and I can’t say that of any other relationship I have had. I would never do it because I really found my

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