Wow, so they can't even process a withdrawal for someone with a big balance who shows up in person? Sounds scary, like they actually are insolvent.
I'm not saying I think mtgox's actual procedures aren't batshit insane (they are), but trying (and failing) to operate outside of those procedures doesn't really prove anything.
While the attempt to contact the CEO in person does push the issue, it is sort of ridiculous to think that they keep 'cash on hand' at the office to cash people out.
As pointed out there are a bunch of reasons to keep withdrawal processes within process especially with a semi-anonymous currency of this type.
I'm convinced that it's one of 2 things.
a) A criminal investigation + gag order.
b) MtGox really screwed up and/or got hacked. The funds are just plain gone and they're in the process of winding down the company into bankruptcy or something.
Edit: Parent stealth-edited, so I'll rephrase my comment. Original preserved here:
And then, the next one comes and want his bitcoins on the spot. And then someone makes a video of a withdrawal online that fails. The video on youtube does not add anything negative to the current situation: Withdrawals are not possible, in no way.
If you think this video does not negatively impact MtGox's public image or cause people with funds stuck in there to become even more concerned, then I don't agree with you.
I sort of doubt if their public image matters at the moment: They either fix the problem and then can communicate that "yes, it was unfortunate but we could no do any payouts since we needed to fix the bug for all of you, instead of a nutcase that went to japan to pester us." or they can't fix it and go bankrupt at which point the video on youtube won't do any harm either. Nor do the concerns of their users: You can't withdraw funds, not at all, no way, no matter how concerned you are and how often you show up at their office. Be more concerned, go ahead. If I had any money on MtGox I'd be writing it off right now and throw a party when I get it back.
I don't agree with that. If this person got his coins back, people would have gained a little faith that MtGox might actually get back on its feet. So at least that'd be positive PR for them. The fact that this guy did not get his coins back suggests to me that the situation, whatever it is, must be very serious and lowers my faith that MtGox will recover.
I'm not disagreeing with what you're saying. It would show that they at least 'have funds' to pay out, rather than what looks like them not having anything (or enough) to cover the coins. I just think that the realization that you need to fly to Japan would also cause a lot of negative PR for them.