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Tuesday, 15 July 2008
Media Release
Two more charged over pay TV piracy scam
Two Sydney men will face the Downing Centre Court today in connection to an
alleged syndicate involved in producing illegal pay television cards.
In April, the Australian Federal Police (AFP) seized hundreds of fake pay
television encryption cards and set-top decoders in Victoria, NSW and
Queensland after a six-month investigation. Two Victorian men were charged
at the time.
The AFP also seized cash in excess of $173,000, computer equipment and
smart cards from a Sydney property.
Following extensive analysis of the seized computers, a 43-year-old Ashfield
man and a 42-year North Ryde man have been charged over the production of
fake smart cards also known as ‘gamma’ cards.
The smart cards allow people to access the Foxtel and Austar pay television
networks without a subscription.
The 43-year-old man has been charged with making and distributing
unauthorised decoders contrary to Section 135 of the Copyright Act 1968, and
with possessing property suspected to be proceeds of crime contrary to
Section 400.9 of the Criminal Code 1995.
The 42-year-old has been charged with distributing unauthorised decoders
contrary to Section 135 of the Copyright Act 1968, and with possessing
property suspected to be proceeds of crime contrary to Section 400.9 of the
Criminal Code 1995.
The maximum penalty for the copyright offences is five years imprisonment
and two years imprisonment for the proceeds of crime offence.
Media enquiries
AFP National Media Team
Phone: (02) 6275 7100
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