PRESS RELEASE – The Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate (DIE) investigated a case of ongoing fraud against satellite subscription channel companies and arrested two Greek citizens
The arrested individuals were selling satellite receivers that had been preloaded with illegal software, so that each receiver would connect via the internet to a specific central computer system (server), with the aim of viewing subscription channels by thousands of illegal users, without paying the required monthly subscription fee.
At the same time, the amount of tax evasion from this illegal activity is being investigated, which according to an estimate by one of the companies amounts to 17,000,000 euros
The Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate (DIE) has investigated another important case, which concerns ongoing fraud and violations of the legislation on intellectual property and the protection of subscription services, via the internet, by profession and on a continuing basis. Two (2) Greek nationals, aged 49 and 28, were arrested for the case, and a criminal case was filed against them.
Specifically, the investigation of the case began after digital analysis and utilization of data and information by police officers of the Electronic Crimes Prosecution Directorate (DIE) regarding a criminal group that had satellite receivers-decoders for sale in tourist areas, which were preloaded with illegal software (IP TV).
In this way, each illegal user of this receiver connected via the internet to a specific central system (server), which was located abroad, in order to view a "digital bouquet" of subscription channels from Greece and abroad.
At the same time, relevant lawsuits were filed with the Directorate for the Prosecution of Electronic Crime (DIE) by two subscription satellite channel companies, against all those responsible.
After a thorough analysis of the data and elements of the case, a team of police officers from the Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate went to an area of Halkidiki in the morning hours of 23-07-2015 and conducted a legal investigation in a store run by the 49-year-old arrested person and in which the 28-year-old arrested person worked as a technician.
In the storage area of the 49-year-old's vehicle, two (2) internet satellite receivers were found, which were illegally modified and programmed to enable the viewing of subscription channels via the internet, without paying the legal subscription fee to the companies. Additionally, another internet satellite receiver, illegally modified and programmed, was found in the store.
Also, during the investigations, five (5) external USB storage devices and four (4) computer hard drives were found and seized.
The seized digital evidence will be sent to the Criminal Investigations Directorate for the appropriate laboratory tests and for the investigation of the clientele, which according to information, amounts to 22,000 in Greece and abroad, as well as to make it possible to determine the financial damage to both the subscription companies and the Greek State.
At the same time, the amount of tax evasion from the above illegal activity is also being investigated, which according to an estimate by one of the companies amounts to 17,000,000 euros.
The arrested persons, with the case file filed against them, were taken to the competent Prosecutor.
