HSI Kansas City leads investigation resulting in federal prison sentence for Florida woman

TAMPA, Fla. - Homeland Security Investigations and the Department of Justice announced the sentencing of Heidi Richards, 52, to 22 months in federal prison and a $50,000 fine following her conviction for conspiring to traffic in illicit Microsoft certificate of authenticity labels.

"HSI is committed to protecting the integrity of the technology marketplace and ensuring that consumers receive genuine products," said HSI Kansas City Acting Special Agent in Charge Rick Sabatini. "This sentencing sends a clear message that those who attempt to exploit software authentication systems for personal gain will be held accountable."

According to court documents and evidence presented at trial, Richards, operating as Trinity Software Distribution, paid co-conspirators millions of dollars for thousands of genuine, standalone Microsoft certificate of authenticity labels at prices significantly lower than the retail price of the associated software. Richards and her employees harvested product key codes from the labels and sold them in bulk to customers. Federal law prohibits trafficking standalone certificate of authenticity labels that are separate from the software programs they are intended to accompany.

These labels authenticate Microsoft software, help customers identify genuine software, and bear security features intended to dissuade counterfeiting. An illicit, secondary market for certificate of authenticity labels exists because they bear product key codes used to activate Microsoft software. The labels hold no independent commercial value.

HSI Kansas City investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Risha Asokan of the Middle District of Florida and trial attorney Jared Hosid of the Justice Department's Computer Crime and Intellectual Property Section prosecuted the case.

You can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866) 347-2423 or completing the online tip form.

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