Investigation Into Satellite Signal Theft

(Whitby, Ontario, 13-Jul-2007) Three males have been charged and equipment seized after an undercover police investigation into the theft of satellite signals in Durham Region.

Project Orbit took place in June and grew from an earlier investigation in Port Perry where a man and woman were charged with providing access to illegal satellite television signals. That investigation identified several other businesses in Durham Region in which satellite systems were sold and encryption codes provided to illegally access television and audio channels.

Undercover officers attended two businesses to purchase satellite equipment and gain access to encryption codes used to obtain satellite signals for free.

Fernando PEDRA, age 45, manager of UNEEK Electronics on Bloor Street East in Oshawa was charged with:

Theft of Telecommunications
Possession Device that can Steal Telecommunications
Sell Device to Steal Telecommunications

Officers seized $60,000 in satellite receivers, dishes, computer equipment; and $2,000 in cash. The estimated revenue loss from victim agencies (DISH and Bell ExpressVu Networks) is $240,000 annually just for the equipment seized. Four bankers boxes of sales receipts are still being reviewed, which may push the lost revenue to the millions of dollars.

William HUTCHEON, age 32, Owner/Manager of Challenge FTA on Westney Road South in Ajax and an employee, John DESOUZA, age 32 of Ajax have both been charged with:

Theft of Telecommunications
Possession Device that can Steal Telecommunications
Sell device to steal telecommunications

Police seized $20,000 in satellite receivers, dishes, computer equipment; and $2,000 in cash. The estimated revenue loss for victim agencies (DISH and Bell ExpressVu Networks) is $50,000 annually, just for the equipment seized.

A court order was obtained to shut down web sites connected with these businesses that provided users with encryption codes. The DRPS believes this may be the first time in Ontario criminal charges have been laid regarding so-called Free to Air systems.

The possession of “Free to Air” satellite equipment is not illegal, but modifying the equipment to access subscription signals is. The Durham Regional Police Service does not have the resources to investigate the potentially hundreds of end users who might be acquiring encryption codes every month to access free satellite signals. However, this is still theft – a criminal offence – no different than stealing goods from a retail store. Police may conduct further investigations if specific information about end users comes to light.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation who hasn’t already spoken with police is asked to call the 15 Division (North Durham) Criminal Investigations Bureau at 1-888-579-1520 ext. 2674. Anonymous tips can be made to Durham Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).


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