Two Chinese nationals were arrested in Botswana after an investigation which began in December 2011 and which allegedly skimmed and sold the coding from MultiChoice decoder smart cards to people who then get access to an unencoded pay-TV signal through pirate decoders such as Magicbox, Avatar, Hawk, Microbox and Eagle.
The Chinese nationals used a refrigeration sales and repair company as the front for their alleged illegal piracy television business which spanned Southern Africa and reached into countries such as Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia and even South Africa.
The Botswana police confiscated 1 800 Magicbox decoders, computers, a smart card reader and cash.
"The raid was very succesful and sent a firm message that this kind of illegal activity will not be tolerated and that strong action will be taken against those who illegally abuse MultiChoice Africa content," says Frikkie Jonker, senior Africa Piracy manager for MultiChoice Africa.
"As long as their are consumer who are prepared to pay for illegal content, pirates will contrinue to try to hack encryption systems and turn a profit," says Irdeto. "One very effective way of addressing this form of piracy is to use technology to disrupt the pirate offering, thereby upsetting the pirate viewer and destroying the pirate credibility."
"Together with MultiChoice Africa, we will relentlessly fight these illegal businesses on the African continent, using technology and the law to its full extent."
