DAD FIRST TO BE JAILED FOR SKY TV SCAM

[Tought You]

DAD FIRST TO BE JAILED FOR SKY TV SCAM

30/08/2009

THE first person in the country to be prosecuted for using hi-tech equipment to illegally access BSkyB channels has been jailed for four months.
Dad-of-four Keith Cairns sold unauthorised decoder boxes and charged his customers a monthly subscription fee. The boxes contained software that enabled the user to access Sky channels illegally.

The plasterer was nabbed when an undercover BSkyB investigator got suspicious after seeing his stall at Bowlers computer market in Trafford Park, Manchester.

Officials from FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft) raided Cairns's home in Croxteth in June last year, Liverpool Crown Court heard.

Sales
They seized four decoder boxes, his computer and customer emails, prosecutor Miles Bennett said.

It was estimated Cairns, 45, made up to £5,000 in sales and subscriptions in six months, but pocketed only hundreds because he wasn't working alone.

Cairns, who has no previous convictions, admitted selling and possessing unauthorised internet satellite receiver boxes.

Source link-below,
http://www.newsoftheworld.co.uk/news/47819...ky-TV-scam.html
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add on,
Liverpool Local News
Liverpool Sky TV Box cheat is jailed in UK first
Aug 29 2009 by Tony Martin, Liverpool Echo

THE first person in the country to be prosecuted for using sophisticated technology to illegally access Sky channels has been jailed for four months.

Keith Cairns, 45, from Croxteth not only sold unauthorised decoder boxes but also charged his customers a monthly subscription fee - and if they did not pay they would be cut off.

Miles Bennett, prosecuting, told Liverpool crown court that Cairns had been selling the unauthorised decoder boxes which contained software enabling the user to access Sky channels without having a decoder card and by using the internet.

The software had been adapted so that the box believed the correct card details had been inserted to decrypt the encrypted signal.

Cairns involvement came to light when an under-cover BSkyB investigator was at a computer market in Manchester.

He saw Cairns running a stall on which thre was a television broadcasting a football match. Cairns explained the signal was being decoded through a server which was part of a card sharing network.

When the investigator expressed interest Cairns said he did not have any with him and arranged for him to go to Cairns' home. At the house Cairns sold him a set-top box and one month's subscription for £165.

He later took out a further two months subscription while investigations continued and on June 18 officials from FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft) raided Cairns' home in Ashwater Road and seized four decoder boxes.

They also seized his computer and emails from his various customers were found.

Cairns charged his customers £15 a month subscription and paid his supplier, Rockyz, £10 a month.

Mr Bennett said it was estimated that over six months Cairns had made up to £5,000 in sales and subscriptions.

Cairns pleaded guilty to two charges involving selling unauthorised internet satellite receiver boxes and possessing four of them.

Peter Killen, defending, said that Cairns was a hard working father of four. He is a plasterer but had always been interested in satellite and computer technology.

Jailing Cairns, who has no previous convictions, Judge William George said, "It is clear this is a considerable operation in which many people have become involved. "

He told Cairns that he accepted he had not been at the top of pyramid but had been retailing the stolen technology and only a custodial sentence was justified.

After the hearing Eddy Levinten, FACT's head of communications, said, "The sentencing reflects the seriousness of the offence and sends a clear signal to those who may intend to act in a similar manner."

source link-below,
http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-n...00252-24559449/

[Bald Bouncer]

As this is the first case it will also now set the benchmark for future cases and will mean this is an instant custodial offence still we can all sleep safer in our beds knowing they have taken a Card sharing salesman off the streets rather than a child molester, mugger or burglar which rarely get custodial sentences on first offence or even second or third.

[maltloaf]

Wow jail seems a bit harsh but he was taking the piss charging a sub !

I suppose it sends out a message and he will be out in 2

[diablos]

I think the guy was being an arse openly selling his wares at bowlers it was only a matter of time before he got caught.

A bit common-sense and he could still be doing what he's doing.

[kronas]

i thought sky has not been hacked ? so does the post basically mean that the box itself thought that a paid sub card was in the box when infact there was nothing ?

[Nibb]

i thought sky has not been hacked ? so does the post basically mean that the box itself thought that a paid sub card was in the box when infact there was nothing ?

It hasnt been hacked....its card-sharing via an internet network connection using a dreambox or similar.

[beerman]

It doesn't really send out a message to general satellite enthusiasts, it sends out a message to people who think they can sell preconfigured dreamboxes down Bowlers. Sounds like this guy was just reselling a payserver as he was paying his mate "rockyz" £10 a month per customer.

[Soulassassin]

Stealing from the poor wont get you a stiff sentence, more a slap on the wrist. Steal from the rich, or a corporation however, they dont like thatand you can expect a jail term. I went to see Glen Wool a comedian at the Edinburgh festival this year and he hit the nail on the head with his routine about this type of thing I'd well recomend him.

[Bald Bouncer]

To me yet a gain it sends out a message that the courts and justice system see a crime against a multi national business in which no human being is injured or abused is a far worse crime than one in that someone is mugged, beaten or abused.

Crime is crime I am not arguing that people should not face punishment but I do have an issue with the sentences being handed out indicating that the whole legal system considers crime against big business a far greater crime than that against the general public, chances are if you get caught selling pirate films you will get a far greater sentence than if you are caught selling child pornography.

The agencies set up to protect the public are now virtually all being used to protect big business and government revenue interests and these big businesses don't pay they just use these agencies like puppets at the public's expense to do their bidding and you won't see them taking on companies like Ebay who have a legal responsibility for everything sold on their site under UK law.

I see adverts on TV all the time with knock off Nigel but unless I am missing it I have never seen a advert featuring Kiddy Fiddling Phil or Peodo Porn Peter yet I would think if they actually listened to the public and what they wanted these are the people they would like cracked down on and given custodial sentences.

[4me2]

To me yet a gain it sends out a message that the courts and justice system see a crime against a multi national business in which no human being is injured or abused is a far worse crime than one in that someone is mugged, beaten or abused.

Crime is crime I am not arguing that people should not face punishment but I do have an issue with the sentences being handed out indicating that the whole legal system considers crime against big business a far greater crime than that against the general public, chances are if you get caught selling pirate films you will get a far greater sentence than if you are caught selling child pornography.

The agencies set up to protect the public are now virtually all being used to protect big business and government revenue interests and these big businesses don't pay they just use these agencies like puppets at the public's expense to do their bidding and you won't see them taking on companies like Ebay who have a legal responsibility for everything sold on their site under UK law.

I see adverts on TV all the time with knock off Nigel but unless I am missing it I have never seen a advert featuring Kiddy Fiddling Phil or Peodo Porn Peter yet I would think if they actually listened to the public and what they wanted these are the people they would like cracked down on and given custodial sentences.

The reason being the rich don't like being robbed.

Its these rich tossers like Murdoch who have too much power and are in the position to corrupt or ruin any judge or politician through the media that they own.

You only have to look at the release of the Lockerbie bomber (supposed) and compassionate grounds (oil deals more like) and then take a look at Ronnie Biggs. Because he was seen to make a mockery of the rich and powerful ,his release decision was always delayed untill the undertaker had all but finished his coffin and he was reduced to a vegetable state.

[MajorFU]

come on he was basically selling stolen goods and doing it as openly as he did, he deserved jail for being so stupid. It would be harsh is somebody who was watching free tv got jailled but if ur making ur living by doing this then u r playing with fire, simple as.

[Bald Bouncer]

come on he was basically selling stolen goods and doing it as openly as he did, he deserved jail for being so stupid. It would be harsh is somebody who was watching free tv got jailled but if ur making ur living by doing this then u r playing with fire, simple as.

Not normally a custodial sentence on first offence and as Ebay are complicit in many such sales by taking a cut of the profit you think we will see action taken against them?

[Lou_smorals]

Hi
Seems he was a satdudez member and quite a needy one (described on there asa leecher) and bannd from a few others - think maybe a few guys be worried about his MSN history!!
LS

[MajorFU]

Not normally a custodial sentence on first offence and as Ebay are complicit in many such sales by taking a cut of the profit you think we will see action taken against them?

ebay might be classed as an accessory to a crime if its proved they are not policing their service this guy was clearly stealing from the rich and selling it to the poor to service his own lifestyle...you are comparing chalk and cheese

when you consider the action sky have taken against pubs for showing games on euro channels instead of sky its absolutely no surprise they have done this...other than its taken this long

[Bald Bouncer]

ebay might be classed as an accessory to a crime if its proved they are not policing their service this guy was clearly stealing from the rich and selling it to the poor to service his own lifestyle...you are comparing chalk and cheese

when you consider the action sky have taken against pubs for showing games on euro channels instead of sky its absolutely no surprise they have done this...other than its taken this long

You are totally missing my point and it has nothing to do with what he does or does not deserve, it has everything to do with comparing crimes and seeing how our justice system hands out far stiffer punishments to crimes against multi national multi billion dollar profit making organisations than it does to people beating and robbing other people on the street, trading in child pornography, breaking into peoples homes and robbing them making them not even feel safe in their own homes.

Forget what you think he does or does not deserve and look at the sentences handed down for other crimes then look which crime you consider worse, how it serves to protect the public by taking offenders off the street in regards to the danger they present to the public because in the end laws exist with a primary purpose of protecting the public.

Pirate DVD seller 1st offence = Jail
Cable box chipping 1st offence = Jail
Mugger 1st offence = community service
Possession of child pornography 1st offence = community service, rehabilitation
House breaking 1st offence = community service

Just a few examples and I would accept the argument that he deserves what he got and the other crimes sentences should be increased but there does not seem to be anyone with money, power and influence lobbying for that although the sentences for Piracy and Cable box chipping both got increased to a maximum of 10 years prison from 2 years prison although I never saw any public outcry or campaign asking for this so who did all the lobbying to get this through.

[4me2]

Pirate DVD seller 1st offence = Jail
Who would stand to lose anything in this ? = rich film industry and Murdoch and Branson through pay tv.
Cable box chipping 1st offence = Jail
Who would stand to lose anything in this ? = rich film industry and Murdoch and Branson through pay tv.
Mugger 1st offence = community service
Who would stand to lose anything in this ? = only the victim
Possession of child pornography 1st offence = community service, rehabilitation
Who would stand to lose anything in this ? = only the victims
House breaking 1st offence = community service
Who would stand to lose anything in this ? = only the victims

In short unless any rich bastard is losing money through it they don't give a shit.

Who pays donations to Political parties ?

Yes those same rich bastards who own the companies and media .

Do they donate for a reason ?

Yes to soften the MP's to create laws that benefit their companies and profits and ultimately power.

[B.I.G.]

the sentences for Piracy and Cable box chipping both got increased to a maximum of 10 years prison from 2 years prison although I never saw any public outcry or campaign asking for this so who did all the lobbying to get this through.

A fucking cracking point.

[4me2]

I think my post covers BB's point.

[MajorFU]

I don't disagree the whole thing stinks and that violent crimes and crimes against the small guy are not as heavily policed these days, my point is that if ur gonna be as stupid as this guy, don't cry about it when u get dragged over the coals in public so the big boys can prove a point and scare the masses away from piracy.

Trust me I have been watchin free TV for as many years as I been on this forum, not dumb enough to try make a fookin living off it though. Ehem well not any more

As for big companies softening the govts its been happening as long as there have been big boys and govts and looking after the regular jo has been an after thought since the beginning of history...thats life guys I just get over it and get on with it.

Cant beat the system, just go with the flow

[Thrush]

I'm sorry but the Possession of Child pornography is more than community service.

Your painting a picture with one colour and it is far more complex than you’re making out.

Anyone and everyone who profits from Piracy goes to prison.
Everyone else well, they get let off and a trip to Butlins.

Luckily are judicial system works on a case by case basis.

Psxgunman didn't go to prison did he?

Where as Vanessa George won’t be walking the streets any time soon.