Mod chips illegal in us ?!?!

[GmRunner]

I was calling local small business and home run computer stores asking could anyone do instals for me. One guy told me that FBI has deemed mod chips for PS2 illegal and that he knows of 2 people that lost their houses due to a 250,000 fine when cought installing them! he then went on to say that fbi is not only going after sellers but USERS! he said the FBI downloads mailing lists of people and goes after them when ordered over the net from out of country sources! IS ANY OF THSI TRUE?! i cannot seem to find a proffessional instal so now i am considering a no solder chip i can do myself but is it safe? hehe