MUMBAI: Phoenix Maricopa County sheriff's investigators arrested 21 people Thursday in connection with a scam to steal satellite television services.

Working with DIRECTV officials, investigators lured the suspects to a store in Phoenix and sold them $50 access cards designed to steal programming, Sheriff Joe Arpaio is quoted as saying. They purchased the cards despite being advised that they were illegal.

The suspects are accused of stealing $5,000 per month of programming, say reports.