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In the modern world with increased communication and travel opportunities crime is increasingly an international issue. International crime includes: technology crime (such as money laundering, fraud, confidence tricksters or other internet scams), immigration offences, extradition (either into or out of this country). The Crown Prosecution Service cooperates with international agencies in order to effectively prosecute international crimes.

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Home » News Centre » Press Releases » CPS cybercrime training pays off

CPS cybercrime training pays off

06/05/2005

The Crown Prosecution Service has struck a blow in the fight against computer crime after four men were convicted of an international multi-million pound software fraud. Sentences given today for the four software pirates totalled seven and a half years.

The defendants were part of an internet 'warez' group called DrinkorDie. The group obtained and cracked popular software such as Microsoft Windows before posting it on the net where it was available to be downloaded for free.

The Director of Public Prosecutions, Ken Macdonald QC, said:

"This group saw themselves as internet anarchists who were not motivated by financial gain but their activities caused enormous losses to software companies and their retail outlets around the world.

"This is not a victimless crime. These men thought they were international anarchists but they robbed businesses made up of many people whose livelihoods and families depend on the companies' success.

"Professional organised criminals are resourceful. They are well financed and they are innovative. They are very happy to exploit new opportunities, new markets and new technologies. The CPS and its partners across the world are adapting to the challenge."

To cope with the anticipated growth in cybercrime, the CPS launched its High Tech Crime Strategy in 2002. Over 110 prosecutors and 15 caseworkers have now been trained to deal with hi-tech crime as part of a wider strategy and there are national specialists with the necessary expertise to effectively prosecute cases. During the case this training helped the CPS understand:

  • The methodology used by the criminals
  • The evidence presented for prosecution use and expert evidence
  • How to sift through the vast quantities of computer data that these cases generate to decide which material could remain unused but disclosed to the defence

An experienced CPS lawyer started work on this case in 2001, before the arrests took place and the prosecution team was brought together in August 2003. To help prosecution counsel become familiar with the issues, the CPS even organised a training day.

The DrinkorDie case was investigated by the National High Tech Crime Unit and was a spin off of a US Customs investigation called Operation Buccaneer. Since 2000 the investigation has identified 65 members of this group, five of them in the UK. Others were based in the USA, Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, and Taiwan.

CPS case preparation relied heavily on assistance provided by the US authorities, especially the considerable efforts of the US Dept of Homeland Security. The police and the prosecution team travelled to the US and a number of US witnesses came to the UK to give evidence. The prosecution also relied upon evidence given by way of video link from former members of DrinkorDie who had entered guilty pleas in the US.

In the UK this operation resulted in the prosecution of five individuals. Steven Dowd and Alex Bell were convicted of conspiracy to defraud in March 2005 following a trial that commenced in September 2004. Dowd today received a two-year sentence and Bell two and a half years. Mark Vent pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud last summer and was sentenced to 18 months. Andrew Eardley pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud in May 2004 and was sentenced today to 18 months suspended for two years.

A fifth defendant, Ian Dimmock, who was not a member of DrinkorDie, pleaded guilty to Copyright Act violations in 2002.

For further details contact CPS Press Office on 020 7710 6088.