They distribute cracks (software patches), keygens (key generators), and pre-cracked versions of entire programs.

Maximilien worked previously for Nemesis, Crack Inc, Skid Row and Interpol (his first group as organiser) before finally joining Paradox.

[4] Paradox has been noted to crack challenging dongle protections on many debugging and software development programs.

[12] Nearly all Quartex members in France, including Olivier, Clash and Tagada, were busted in 1991 in the Blue Box affair.

Max 'MAXiMiLiEN' Louarn was arrested in the Nintendo copiers affair in 1993[13] and was held in preventive custody for three weeks before fleeing to Spain.

Less than one year later, in 1994, Secret Service agents caught him while on trip to Washington in a vast calling card fraud affair.