Gardai have confirmed that they seized a significant amount of electronic equipment and documentation in Cork as part of an ongoing investigation into television piracy.
Seven searches, in total, were carried out at premises in Cork on Thursday as Gardai aim to crack down on the distribution of set-top or 'dodgy' boxes, Cork Beo reports.
The prevalence of the kind of boxes in question has skyrocketed in recent years but Gardai attached to the Economic Crime Investigation Unit in Cork City have made one of the most significant steps into cutting out the piracy of television providers' material without legitimate subscription from members.
Involved in Thursday's searches were Gardai from the Cork City division, supported by local detectives, local Computer Crime Investigation Unit, Cork City and representatives from Virgin Media, Sky TV and Nagra.
A statement from the Gardai confirms that: "A significant amount of electronic equipment and documentation of evidential value was seized.
"The fraud being investigated is estimated at up to €20,000,000 annually and involves up to 20,000 people, nationwide, utilising these type of fraudulent ‘set top’ boxes.
"There are no arrests at this time and the investigation is ongoing."
