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Music Gang Busted in iTunes Royalties Scam

Group boostsrankings, bank accounts by buying their own music with stolen cards

By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff

Posted Jun 11, 2009 2:08 AM CDT
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(Newser) – A group of ten British DJs have been arrested for allegedly using stolen credit cards to download their own music from iTunes and Amazon, the Times of London reports. The gang is believed to have made $300,000 in royalties from the $750,000 they spent buying 19 compilations they recorded, which shot up the charts because of the fraudulent purchases.

Police believe the suspects obtained 1500 stolen or cloned cards and painstakingly opened iTunes accounts for each one to make the purchases. The amount of sales is thought to have caught the interest of music company bosses. The group, caught after a joint investigation by the FBI and British police, has been charged with suspicion of conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering.

The group of DJs is believed to have made 40% royalties on each illegal purchase they made through iTunes and Amazon with the stolen cards.
The group of DJs is believed to have made 40% royalties on each illegal purchase they made through iTunes and Amazon with the stolen cards.   (©Peti Deuxmont)
The gang is believed to have spent $750,000 buying their own music from Amazon and iTunes, and collecting a fortune in royalties.
The gang is believed to have spent $750,000 buying their own music from Amazon and iTunes, and collecting a fortune in royalties.   (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)
A gang of DJs is accused of using stolen credit cards to buy huge quantities of their own music from the Internet.
A gang of DJs is accused of using stolen credit cards to buy huge quantities of their own music from the Internet.   (©Blue.Steel)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 4 comments
ack
Jun 14, 2009 12:33 PM CDT
Math is hard. --Barbie
riffran
Jun 11, 2009 7:53 AM CDT
gotta admire those scumbags in a strange sort of way...300g until they busted...wow....I dont condone, but that WAS pretty slick
wwwonderer
Jun 11, 2009 4:22 AM CDT
But look at it this was. $300K over 1500 cards is about $200 per card. You think they could have gotten more of a return on their time and money.

Gang caught after joint operation from FBI, London police
Times (UK)

 
music downloads • iTunes • royalties • scam • Britain • cybercrime

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