Around 200 digital set-top TV boxes were seized from four homes and two industrial units in Blackburn and a home in Duchy Avenue, Preston.
They will be taken away for examination.

The investigation, involving more than 40 police officers, centred on the illegal modification of the boxes to receive digital TV channels without paying subscription fees.

Five men and a woman were arrested in the Blackburn area. No-one was arrested when the investigation switched to Preston on Monday afternoon.

Officials from Virgin Media and specialist asset recoverers accompanied the police on the raids.

Those arrested were quizzed by detectives on suspicion of committing offences under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988 on Monday and have now been bailed pending further enquiries.

Neighbourhood policing Sgt Colin Dassow, of Lancashire police, said: "This operation demonstrates our commitment to taking firm action against anyone suspected of illegally benefiting from the proceeds of crime and we will continue to work with organisations such as Virgin Media in the future.

"Members of the public should be reminded that using set-top boxes that have been illegally modified to receive digital TV subscription channels are committing a criminal offence.

"Anyone receiving these channels and making no payment to the respective media company is at risk of being prosecuted."

Malcolm Davies, Virgin Media's head of fraud and security, 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."

Anyone with information or concerns about digital TV fraud is urged to contact police on 0845 1 253545 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

Alternatively contact the Virgin media fraud security line on 0800 0967800.

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