MONTREAL – The RCMP in Quebec said today it had broken up a “major criminal ring specializing in the sale and distribution of satellite signal decoders.”
Yesterday, members of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police Financial Integrity program conducted nine searches and arrested four people for theft of radiocommunication services as part of an investigation led by the Québec Detachment Federal Investigation Section. Charges could also be laid at the conclusion of the investigation.
The investigation, dubbed operation “Connecteur”, resulted in searches being conducted in several places of business and residences in Montréal, Sainte-Thérèse, Granby, Sorel and Shawinigan. The investigators seized many items, including decoders and computers that were allegedly used to develop access codes required to steal satellite signals, says the RCMP release.
Through operation “Connecteur”, the investigators intend to demonstrate that the suspects sold decoders and supplied access codes for the purpose of illegally accessing numerous pay television channels. The alleged fraudsters advertised on the Internet, inviting potential clients to come to their place of residence or business to buy and pick up the equipment for approximately $300.
The arrested suspects could be charged with fraud and possession of device to obtain telecommunication facility or service under the Criminal Code of Canada.
The investigation, that was launched in December 2007, is an effort by the investigators of the RCMP Federal Investigation Section in partnership with the Canadian Motion Picture Distributors Association.
“The RCMP will continue to pursue appropriate action to enforce federal laws pertaining to illegal business practices such as fraud and theft of telecommunication services. The theft of satellite signals accounts for losses estimated at more than 300 million dollars annually for the Canadian economy,” said the press release.
“The RCMP takes this opportunity to promote public awareness of this social evil and to encourage electronic equipment retailers and consumers to refrain from engaging in this illegal trade. The illegal distribution, theft or piracy of satellite signals remain serious crimes in Canada that are punishable under the Radiocommunication Act.”
