ROGUE traders dealing in counterfeit computer games have been targeted in West Yorkshire.
A joint operation between West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service and West Yorkshire Police on Sunday resulted in approximately 12,000 counterfeit software discs and over 150 devices used for chipping being seized.
Chipping is the process that enables copied games to be played on consoles such as the Nintendo Wii, Microsoft Xbox 360 and the Sony PlayStation.
The operation was carried out at a computer fair held at Richard Dunn Sports Centre in Bradford and resulted in two individuals being arrested for selling copied computer software and copied computer games.Š
Further seizures were also made of software and other chipping devices at a number of stalls at the fair.
Following the arrests, officers from trading standards and the Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) carried out a house search in Leeds which uncovered approximately 5,000 counterfeit software, films and music discs.
Further investigations following this operation are being carried out by West Yorkshire Trading Standards Service and West Yorkshire Police.
Trading standards officials estimate the retail value of the items seized to be in excess of £100,000.ŠThe equivalent value of original products is in excess of £1m.
