Police have arrested three men as they crack down on ‘dodgy’ Firesticks used to illegally stream Sky Sports and other subscription-only content for free.
The three were arrested for distributing the devices, after another supplier was jailed for four-and-a-half years last month.
A UK-wide effort to toughen up on Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) rings has been growing in the last year, with broadcasters and sports organisations complaining that they are missing out on increasingly large chunks of revenue.
A 42-year-old from Nottingham, a 51-year-old from Widnes and a 52-year-old from Stockton on Tees were the latest to be caught up in the investigation, with the Widnes local also being held on possession of Class A drugs.
The trio have all been released as investigations continue.
Police have arrested a 42-year-old from Nottingham , a 51-year-old from Widnes and a 52-year-old from Stockton on Tees as they crack down on ‘dodgy’ Firesticks used to illegally stream Sky Sports and other subscription-only content for free
Pictured: An officer from cybercrime specialists Fact-UK visiting the home of an illegal streamer
According to data from cybercrime specialists Fact-UK last year, there has been a significant increase in the number of viewers using their Amazon Firestick to illegally watch subscription TV.
Authorities’ efforts to deter this behaviour have also seen 40 IPTV operators served cease-and-desist notices this month as the pressure on the crime intensifies.
In June, Michael Hornung, 40, was sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison for running a scheme that allowed access to premium Sky and BT channels.
According to FACT, Hornung was originally due to be sentenced in 2022 but he fled the UK for northern Cyprus to evade extradition.
He is said to have pocketed an estimated £350,000 from the scheme which is thought to have been investigated for over a decade.
It is reported that he sold around 2,700 boxes between 2014 and 2017, with broadcasters and right holders losing £2million in revenue due to his actions.
‘Hornung thought fleeing overseas would mean he would never have to face his crimes,’ Tom Dowdall, Deputy Director International from the National Crime Agency (NCA), said.
‘However, the NCA’s international network regularly shares intelligence and works closely with overseas partners to apprehend those on the run.
‘After liaison with law enforcement officers in Cyprus, Hornung has been returned to the UK to serve his sentence.’
Amid this international effort, a Spanish judge ruled in March that legal action could be taken directly against users who illegally download and stream football, whereas rules previously only allowed ‘public establishments’ like restaurants and bars to be prosecuted.
IPTV boxes are legal in the UK, but become illegal when they are modified to include the broadcast of premium subscription content.
‘Hornung’s criminal business provided customers the means to access premium TV without compensating broadcasters or those with intellectual property rights,’ FACT CEO, Kieron Sharp, explained.
‘This conviction underscores our commitment to tackling fraud and piracy at all levels and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.
‘The extradition of Michael Hornung serves as a reminder that no one is beyond the reach of the law.
‘FACT will be relentless in our pursuit of individuals who profit from illegal activities, regardless of where they seek refuge.’
A warning to illegal Firestick users was issued in April, with Emma Warbey, Detective Chief Inspector of the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit, saying: ‘Illegal streaming is a huge issue for the industry and while it may seem like a low-risk, high-reward crime, the proceeds are used to fund other serious forms of criminal activity.
‘By targeting grassroots sellers, we are sending out a clear message that this will not be tolerated.’