Well, you need criminals to outsmart criminals.

I'm not sure why you need that trait in software. You're (usually) not trying to beat other programmers. So I suppose the parent comment should have added "except in adversarial situations".

Which means it does apply to cyber security. You need hackers to outsmart hackers. If that's the kind of industry you're applying for, it probably is a good idea to mention this actually.

Many EU startups won't be interested in your academic records but such a project would make them hire you on the spot.

That sounds interesting. Are EU startups known for less interest in uni credentials than US startups?

I'm not sure - but it became a meme in EU because other fields typically require good academical background, whereas IT is seen as done by punkers.

He’s the exception that proved the rule. The FBI never repeated that hiring process on anyone else.

That's different. According to that page, Abagnale served 5 years in prison (6 months in solitary confinement), and had to work for the feds for a while "without pay". Then when he first got legitimate work, he was usually fired.

I'd be willing to hire someone who cheated and was caught and served time, but not someone who cheated without consequence and boasted about it.

The commenter here doesn't sound like they segued that into a career catching academic cheaters. They just used it as a stepping stone to their next personal accomplishment.

> After serving his time

So there was nothing new to admit to, they already knew. Entirely different situation.