By Aline Nassif

aline.nassif@essnmedia.co.uk

A PROLIFIC computer games counterfeiter whose offences are believed to have earned him more than £800,000 has disappeared to avoid a prison sentence.

Franz Chung was sentenced to a year in jail at Croydon Crown Court on May 25 in his absence.

The case, which was brought to court by Croydon Council's Trading Standards department, was concluded after an investigation dating back to 2007.

Chung was identified and apprehended by Trading Standards officers after he was found to be dealing in fake computer games and offering to modify games consoles to allow them to play the unlicensed software.

Before going on the run he had pleaded guilty to 18 different offences.

During his crime spree, he made thousands of pounds selling unauthorised copies of computer games and modified computer games consoles at computer fairs at Ashburton Community School.

It is believed that, despite having had both his British and Chinese passports confiscated, Chung, 32, may have managed to flee the country.

As part of the sentencing the court confirmed the forfeiture of all goods and property seized during the investigation, including computers, Xboxes and counterfeit games.

Although more than £800,000 appears to have gone into Chung's bank accounts, only £169,000 can now be traced.

Steve O'Connell, the council's cabinet member for community safety, said: "I want to praise the officers whose dedication should have seen justice served, but I share the disappointment of the court in learning that this criminal may have fled to avoid a prison sentence."