Busted! Police nab pirate pay TV ring
February 2nd, 2012
If you’ve paid $50 for 1,000 TV channels, beware.
Yesterday, New South Wales police busted a pay TV piracy ring in Ashfield and have today advised anyone accessing illegal pay TV subscriptions to stop, or “risk legal consequences”.
The large scale and sophisticated operation has been supplying illicit access to copyrighted materials including movies from multiple companies and subscription TV channels, according to a NSW Police statement. Unlicensed packages included $50 for 1,000 channels.
The police suspect the operation is based in China. Yesterday, after the mid-day bust, they arrested a 42-year-old Lane Cove man. The local lackey has been charged with copyright offences.
Police also seized USB devices, computers, documents and cash thought to be related to the illegal trade.
Detective Inspector Enrico Coffen, Ashfield Local Area Command Crime Manager, said persons with illegal pay TV must know that it is a crime and that those involved will be investigated and prosecuted.
“We will be alleging the revenue generated by this illicit operation was about $70 million per year. So it seems there are a lot of people out there who seem to think it is an acceptable thing to do,” Coffen said.
“Persons identified with any involvement in this trade need to realise it is an offence which is punishable by criminal sanctions like large fines or jail. Anyone who is accessing pay TV illegally is advised to immediately cease the subscription or risk legal consequences. It’s the same as stealing.”
The Lane Cove man has been granted conditional bail to appear at Burwood Local Court on 22 February 2012.
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