FBI raid Orinda home possibly linked to satellite piracy

ORINDA, Calif. (KGO) -- FBI agents served search warrants Wednesday morning at a home on a quiet Orinda street.

A team of no fewer than eight FBI agents spent about two hours at the home on Moraga Way.

Periodically, they would bring out boxes of electronics, including a computer and what appeared to be hard drives.

Agents at the scene wouldn't say anything about the investigation, but FBI sources tell ABC7 News that this search is related to a broader investigation into theft of satellite signals, also known as satellite piracy.

"Satellite piracy is when a hacker or pirate uses technology to pirate or steal pay TV by creating a fake set top box access card," Jimmy Schaeffler, a satellite expert.

It's not clear what role the occupants of this house play in this investigation, Schaffler says pirating satellite signals requires immense knowledge of engineering and information technology.



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