Swoop on homes over fake games racket

A suspected fake computer games racket was targeted in Sandwell today as investigators swooped on two homes and an industrial unit in the borough.

Hundreds of counterfeit computer games and equipment used to modify computer games consoles so that they can play them were seized.

Houses in Elm Terrace, Tividale, and Grange Road, Cradley Heath, as well as a unit on the Doulton Trading Estate in Rowley Regis were searched.

A car and caravan outside the property in Elm Terrace were also searched.

The raid targeted owners of websites who, it is believed, modify computer games consoles by altering security codes allowing them to play counterfeit games.

Officers today seized 800 copied games, 300 copied films and four specially adapted computers which allow fraudsters to alter consoles, as well as copying equipment.

Two men were helping police with inquiries, and investigations are ongoing.

The computer equipment is used to modify the Xbox360 and Wii consoles. It will now be taken for forensic analysis.

Sandwell Council trading standards officer Bob Charnley said the investigation centres on an operation that is believed to have defrauded the computer industry of about £500,000.

He said: "We will take the computers away and they will be handed over to UK Interactive Entertainment who will carry out forensic analysis of the recovered PCs, and that will give us all the evidence to enable us to prosecute, including how many consoles have been modified, who the customers are and who they are in contact with.

"With computer games costing in the region of £30 to £40 and fake games being sold at around £5, this operation would have cost the computer industry in the region of £500,000."

Trading standards officers believe customers would pay £40 to £50 to get consoles modified.