Fake DVDs fund crime

It is illegal to make, rent, sell or otherwise distribute content that you don’t own the copyright to. This includes films, TV shows, music and games.

Organised crime groups are considered to be heavily involved in the making and selling of fake DVDs in the UK.

The production and distribution of fake DVDs has also been linked to other types of crime including people smuggling and drugs.

If you purchase a fake DVD, game or CD, you are supporting criminals and their illegal activities.

Penalties of making fake DVDs

Between 2006 and 2009 the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) led an investigation into a company that was supplying criminal gangs across London and the South East with the equipment needed to make fake DVDs. Four men were sentenced to a total of 18 years in prison for their role in the operation.

FACT records over 600 criminal convictions a year for counterfeiting and related offences.

Fake DVDs and people smuggling

Film piracy has been linked to people smuggling. Once in the UK, some illegal immigrants agree to sell fake DVDs while others are forced to do so to pay off debts to smugglers.

The organised crime groups supplied equipment by the four men jailed in 2009 used a workforce of largely illegal Chinese immigrants who had been trafficked into the UK for this purpose. They were housed in 'factories' which ranged from industrial units to terraced houses. These factories were generally short term lets where the illegal immigrants worked and lived around the clock in conditions of virtual slavery.

Fake DVDs and drugs

Those involved in making fake DVDs also sometimes have links to drug-related crimes.

In February 2010 Gloucestershire Police and Gloucestershire Trading Standards searched a house in Leonard Stanley following the receipt of intelligence from FACT. A man and woman were arrested following the discovery of computer equipment, DVD burners and hundreds of fake DVDs. A large amount of cannabis was also found.

You can help

If you know who’s dealing in fakes, contact the charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or through our secure online form.

Because the Crimestoppers service is anonymous:

GIVE INFORMATION TO CRIMESTOPPERS FAKE GOODS FUND ORGANISED CRIME FAKE GOODS HARM YOU FAKE GOODS: YOU'RE AT RISK ABOUT CRIMESTOPPERS
Crimestoppers The charity Crimestoppers is urging people to call 0800 555 111 with information about who's making and selling fakes. As well as being illegal in itself, the production of fake DVDs can be linked to other forms of organised crime, including human trafficking and drug crime. Visit www.fakesfundcrime.org.uk for more information.