Following several investigations in the areas of Lisbon, Guarda and the north of the country Portuguese police dismantled a card sharing network which provided unauthorised access to TV content. According to information released by the police the network was operated by two individuals and had over 650 customers. Profits of about €5,000 per month were being earned. More than 10 card sharing servers where seized together with some 100 pirate decoders

The police investigation has been carried out with the collaboration of the the European association that fights audiovisual piracy – AEPOC is the “Association Européenne pour la Protection des Œuvres et Services Cryptés” or the “European Association for the Protection of Encrypted Works and Services.

The police have acted in several areas of Lisbon, Guarda and the north Luso.

The network was dismantled by police operated by two people who had more than 650 customers, generating economic benefits in excess of 5,000 euros per month.

In the operation police have seized a dozen servers with the smart card to access the ZON TV Cabo signal along with some 100 decoders.

What is Cardsharing?

Cardsharing is the system used to share a credit card from a pay TV platform to be able to see through an Internet connection and a receiver all the channels that have contracted with the operator in another location and another receiver.

The Cardsharing is an English expression that has recently come to light for its illegal and fraudulent practice that is the distribution over the Internet of pay TV signals without the authorization of its owner in exchange for financial contributions monthly charge users. This offense is punishable by law and there are convictions for the unlawful practice.