Megaupload's Dotcom no flight risk: Lawyer

A multi-millionaire at the centre of an internet "mega conspiracy" couldn't flee New Zealand because of his distinctive appearance, his lawyer says.

Kim Dotcom, 38, the burly co-founder of the world's largest file sharing website, Megaupload, has appeared in North Shore District Court in Auckland on Monday for a bail hearing.

He and three others are facing internet piracy charges after they were arrested on Friday when police raided Dotcom's $30 million rented Auckland mansion.

Their arrests followed a global FBI-led investigation into illegal file sharing.

Prosecutor Anne Toohey maintained on Monday afternoon that Dotcom was an "extreme" flight risk.

Toohey said Dotcom had been previously been deported from Thailand by German authorities.

However, Dotcom's lawyer Paul Davison QC said Dotcom had left Thailand on his own accord after speaking with Thai authorities.

He said Dotcom had only been in Thailand four days which was not long enough to process a deportation request.

Giggling could be heard in the packed courtroom when Davison said Dotcom's "distinctive appearance" meant he could not leave the country without being spotted.

The hearing continues.

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