Genuine versions of Microsoft software carry an edge to edge hologram as a security feature, which the pirates attempted to imitate. The counterfeit CDs had stickers with holograms imitating the legitimate holograms placed on them. Microsoft’s senior manager of world wide piracy enforcement, Richard LaManga said: “If you can peel it off with your finger, you know it’s not a genuine article”.
The group are alleged to have been selling software such as Microsoft’s Office 2000 for $75. The retail price of the genuine software is $599.