Wanted Megaupload founder Kim Dotcom has launched a new file-sharing website, promising users beefed-up privacy levels in a defiant move against US prosecutors who accuse him of facilitating massive online piracy.

Megaupload’s detained founder denied wrongdoing after US authorities shut down his file-sharing website, as new details emerged of a rock-star life featuring “fast cars” and “hot girls”.

NEW Zealand police raided several homes and businesses linked to the founder of Megaupload.com, a giant file-sharing site shut down by US authorities, and seized guns, millions of dollars, and nearly $5 million (€3.9m) in luxury cars, officials said.

The founder and three employees of the Megaupload file-sharing website have appeared in court in New Zealand after being arrested in police raids.

ONE of the world’s largest file-sharing sites was shut down yesterday and its founder and several company executives were charged with violating piracy laws, federal prosecutors said.