Craig Anderson, Arran Jassi and Lamar Johnson all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud, after using three online music management companies to upload UK-produced urban music albums and tracks for sale on Apple iTunes and Amazon.com.

The principal organiser, Craig Anderson, then reportedly acquired thousands of compromised US and UK credit cards, which then used by a number of individuals to make over 500,000 online purchases of the music.

Anderson has been sentenced to 4 years 8 months imprisonment. Jassi and Johnson were both given 8 months, but Jassi's sentence has been suspended.

The fraud, which was first identified by Apple in 2009, generated sales equivalent to that of a major recording artist, according to The Police Central e-Crime Unit (PCeU) of the Metropolitan Police. The estimated loss to the victims, Apple and Amazon, is believed to be in the region of £1 million.

The investigation was first launched by the New York Police Department, but was passed to the PCeU when it became apparent that the operation was based in the UK. In total, 11 individuals have been convicted and sentenced to a total of 13 years, four months imprisonment.