Two arrested over free view boxes

3:56pm Wednesday 26th March 2008

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POLICE are warning people that illegal digital TV set-top boxes are being sold in the Leigh area after over 250 were seized in a joint operation with Virgin Media.

After a man was arrested at a computer fair in Wigan for selling Eurovox Max V set-top boxes that had been modified to receive digital TV subscription channels for free a house on Leighton Drive, Leigh was searched and a woman was also arrested.

A total of 254 boxes were recovered, along with nearly £4000 in cash, three computers and documents.

A 58-year-old woman and 56-year-old man, arrested under the Copyright, Design and Patents Act 1988 have been bailed until August 5.

Neighbourhood Inspector Peter Clarke said: "This result has been a good example of Partnerships working together to target people illegally benefiting from the proceeds of crime.

"I would urge the public to be aware that using set-top boxes that have been illegally modified to receive digital TV subscription channels are committing a criminal offence.

"Anyone receiving channels that ought to be paid for and are making no payment to the respective media companies are at risk of being prosecuted."

Malcolm Davies, Virgin Media's head of fraud and security said: "This should act as a serious warning to others to steer clear of this type of crime. We take this matter extremely seriously and will continue to work closely with all the police forces throughout the UK to prosecute individuals connected with this type of TV fraud."