[Digital Fanatic]

The group were arrested in 2008, when 2,000 illegally modified set-top boxes were found during police raids in the Sparkbrook area of Birmingham. Large quantites of cash and two vehicles were also seized.

The convictions are part of a concerted effort by Virgin Media in recent years to stamp out set-top box and modem fraud. It claims network updates are making it impossible to take internet and TV services for free.

"Later this month, we will introduce a new encryption process in Birmingham, which is already rolling out across other parts of the UK now," said head of fraud and security Malcolm Davies. "This will protect our existing customers and make it impossible for others to take our services unless they pay for them legitimately."