THREE Blackburn men have been jailed for a total of almost 14 years for their part in a digital TV scam.

Police seized 200 set-top boxes after raiding four houses and two industrial units in Blackburn, along with a house in Preston, in April 2008.

They found that the devices had been illegally modified so they could receive access to paid-for digital TV channels on Virgin Media for free.

Virgin Media said the fraudsters made money by selling the doctored boxes on and that the operation could just be the 'tip of the iceberg' in East Lancashire.

The investigation led to the jailing of Rafiq Dudhwala, Imran Khansia and Dilawer Dudhwala at Preston Crown Court for defrauding the firm.

Rafiq Dudhwala, 27, of Assheton Road, and Khansia, 30, of Livingstone Road, were handed six-year prison terms. Dilawer Dudhwala, 29, also of Assheton Road, was jailed for 18 months.

Salim Zinga, 41, of Duchy Avenue, Preston, who was also part of the scam, received four years.

Sergeant Colin Dassow said: “This was a highly successful operation and Lancashire Constabulary is pleased to have been able to work in partnership with Virgin Media to target people illegally benefiting from the proceeds of crime.

“I would urge the public to be aware that using set-top boxes that have been illegally modified to receive digital TV subscription channels for free are committing a serious criminal offence, and officers are continuing enquiries to speak with those who still continue to do so.

“Anyone receiving channels that should be paid for are at risk of being prosecuted.”

The police probe included raids on two homes in Livingstone Road, Blackburn, two more in Assheton Road, Blackburn, and at another in Duchy Avenue, Preston.

Set-top boxes were also found by officers at industrial units in Hamilton Street and George Street West, both in Blackburn.

Malcolm Davies, head of fraud and security at Virgin Media, said: “This should act as a serious warning to others to steer clear of this type of crime.

“We take this matter extremely seriously and will continue to work closely with all the police forces throughout the UK to prosecute individuals connected with this type of TV fraud.”