Private-sector employees and a pensioner behind the “piracy” ring – the “price list” and how they were caught

At least since 2017, the seven individuals arrested in the “pirated” subscription television network dismantled by the Organised Crime Unit of Crete had developed a highly structured infrastructure for the illegal retransmission of subscription audiovisual content via the internet (IPTV), which operated continuously for years and served a large number of users both in Greece and abroad.

The members of the organisation illegally obtained access to protected audiovisual content that is legally distributed by subscription television platforms and streaming service providers.

Using specialised technological equipment, software, and appropriately configured decoding systems, they collected this content and retransmitted it illegally via the internet to their “subscribers”, providing access to thousands of television channels, sports events, films, series, and other digital content at a price far lower than that of legal subscriptions.

The price list of the services provided

The subscription catalogue was set at amounts of €10, €15, €30, €45, €60, €90, €100, €120, and €125 depending on the duration of the subscription (monthly / quarterly / semi-annual / annual), the identity of the subscriber, the number of illegal accesses, the duration of service provision, etc.

For the purchase of a decoding device (SmartOne/Smart STB), they charged €130, while for installing the application on a smart TV they charged €25.

Bank accounts in 12 countries

The profits were substantial, along with the systematic transfer of funds to their bank accounts abroad. They channelled money into more than 58 bank accounts/payment cards held in the names of members of the criminal organisation abroad, specifically in 12 countries (Lithuania, Bulgaria, Malta, the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Germany, Estonia, the United Kingdom, Luxembourg, Switzerland, North Macedonia).

They used alternative payment methods such as instant money transfer services, prepaid instruments, digital wallets, cryptocurrencies, and other electronic payment systems, and collected funds directly from customers in cash.

The luxurious lifestyle

The members of the network, who were private-sector employees and a pensioner, could not justify their purchases and the luxurious lifestyle they maintained through their legal income. They spent money derived from their illegal activity on private luxury expenses such as long holidays, hotel bookings, etc.

They also purchased luxury vehicles and real estate (two apartments in the regions of Attica and Agrinio, initially through financing loans which they repaid immediately with funds derived from their illegal activity), thereby engaging in money laundering.

The identified database shows more than 86,000 customers – end users. Based on the findings, the total financial benefit of the criminal organisation from its illegal activity is estimated at at least €7,000,000, while the total damage to legal providers from its activity is estimated to exceed €50,000,000 overall.

They had also invested more than €280,000 in payments for international technical infrastructure in order to achieve all this.

The police officer who posed as a customer

In order to dismantle the criminal organisation, authorisation was granted for a specially designated police officer of the Organised Crime Division to act undercover as a prospective subscriber and gain access to the illegally provided subscription television services in exchange for payment, an act which confirmed precisely the organisation’s method of operation.

The supervising prosecutor of the DAOE issued seven orders for the freezing of assets and prohibition of disposal of real estate assets belonging to the arrested individuals, who were brought before the prosecutor in Heraklion and were given time to prepare their defence until Saturday morning.

The case file formed against them concerns, depending on the case, offences of criminal organisation operating professionally and repeatedly, violation of intellectual property legislation, protection of subscription services, and aggravated money laundering from criminal activity.

To dismantle the organisation, a police operation was carried out in the regions of Heraklion, Attica, Agrinio, Corfu, and Samos, during which seven members of the network were arrested. In addition, five accomplices, members of the organisation, and 71 end users – subscribers of the illegal service – are also being charged.