Raid on local fair results in arrest of five games pirates

April 19th, 2006, 17:34 Posted By: wraggster

Five people have been arrested at a computer fair in Wolverhampton for selling pirated games, modified chips and 'chipped' consoles, following a raid by 30 local Police and Trading Standards officers.

The raid took place on the evening of Tuesday 11th April, following successful test purchases by an ELSPA investigator on behalf of Wolverhampton City Council Trading Standards.

The two stalls targeted were offering games and digital media made to order, as well as a chipping service for Xbox and Playstation 2 consoles. Officials found approximately 50 modified chips and wiring diagrams behind one of the stalls. They also uncovered 'downgrader' software for Sony's PSP console and a large number of pirated PSP titles.

The five people arrested were held over night in jail and two of the suspects' homes were searched. Officials discovered two fully operational piracy 'factories' - inside one home and in the garage of the other house - containing four computers, nine burning towers and numerous computer and video game master copies.

ELSPA works closely with local Police and Trading Standards across the country, said Michael Rawlinson, deputy director general of ELSPA. We were pleased to assist the Wolverhampton authorities in this case and would like to thank all involved for their hard work in uncovering these counterfeiting operations.

A financial investigation under the Proceeds of Crime Act is underway. This can lead to serious financial loss for those criminals involved.

That was a press release from elspa

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