Five people have been arrested in the Laurentian Region of Quebec, accused of running a satellite television piracy operation that had 15,000 customers.

They stand accused of selling technology that allows clients to steal satellite signals.

The RCMP seized about $330,000 worth of equipment, breaking up a ring that brought in an estimated $1.37 million in the past 22 months.

The equipment was sold online in both Canada and the U.S. through a company called La Boite Principale, located in Piedmont.

"They have a list of about 15,000 customers whose name came through, and the police say that they could technically be charged," said CTV Montreal's Stephane Giroux.

"Right now they're still investigating to see what they'll do with them. It's 15,000 people who right now have this illegal equipment and who might be very nervous."

Sgt. Claude Piedalue of the RCMP dismissed the suggestion that satellite piracy is a victimless crime.

"I don't agree with this," Piedalue said.

"The broadcasters are victims, they lose revenue because of this. The artists lose revenue from their copyright, and the two levels of government lose tax revenues and, of course, the general public. If the government is touched by that type of crime, the general public will suffer as well."

Police say the theft of satellite signals accounts for $100 million in lost revenue for the Canadian economy each year.

The investigation was a joint initiative between the RMCP, Canada Post and Industry Canada.

Investigators launched the probe after Canada Post investigators identified a large number of suspicious transactions for the maximum allowed money order amount of $999.99.

They believe that between $10,000 and $15,000 was sent weekly to the accused through such money orders.

The "cyberundercover" investigation later revealed the money orders were being used to pay for cards used to pirate satellite signals.

Purchases made online by RCMP and Industry Canada investigators showed that the various illegal electronic components were sold for $25 to $170 a piece.

The following people are charged:

• Martin Gauthier, 38, of Saint-Sauveur
• Allan Bruce MacDowell, 46, of Saint-Sauveur
• Pierre Leboeuf, 41, of Bois-des-Filion
• Dimas Manuel Veiga, 41, of Saint-Sauveur
• Richard Belair, 51, Sainte-Adele