Two men in the United Kingdom have been arrested for their role in operating an unauthorized sale of TV subscription packages. This development was announced by the UK’s Eastern Region Special Operations Unit or ERSOU following simultaneous raids in several locations, including Harlow, Chigwell, Waltham Cross, and Lanarkshire.
The raids led to the confiscation of multiple streaming devices, digital devices, and approximately $21,800 in cash. Images of the confiscated devices, resembling Amazon Firesticks, were shared in the official news release. These devices are popular among IPTV users.
Two individuals, aged 33 and 35, were arrested on suspicion of money laundering, fraud, and intellectual property offenses related to the operation. The investigation into the illicit IPTV service began after the discovery of a Telegram channel offering unauthorized access to Sky TV Packages.
Thousands of individuals reportedly subscribed to the service, resulting in over $1 million in profit for the operators. Detective Inspector Steve Payne of ERSOU’s Regional Organized Crime Unit emphasized the significance of apprehending those involved in large-scale criminal operations like this.
Inspectors believe that the proceeds from illegal activities like this often fund broader organized criminal activities, underscoring the importance of apprehending those responsible to curtail such illicit operations.
Additionally, individuals who were involved in using the illegal service or similar platforms to stream unauthorized content were cautioned by Mr. Payne about the legal implications they could face.
Authorities have acquired information on individuals purchasing these unlicensed streams, notifying them that they are violating the law and could face potential legal consequences.
Past actions from the UK Police have included home visits to unauthorized IPTV subscribers to issue cease and desist letters in a bid to curb the consumption of illegal content. Sky UK likely played a significant role in dismantling this particular operation as it has been involved in similar efforts in the past.
Matt Hibbert, the Director of Anti-Piracy UK & ROI at Sky, expressed gratitude towards ERSOU and other enforcement agencies for their actions in combatting the unauthorized sale of Sky TV subscriptions. He reiterated Sky’s commitment to thwarting organized networks engaged in large-scale piracy.
Past anti-piracy campaigns by BeStreamWise have aimed to discourage the use of illicit streams due to associated risks like visiting insecure websites and encountering malware threats.
You can access the original press release from ERSOU UK on their Official Website. Share your thoughts on the recent arrests of IPTV service operators in the UK and whether you anticipate law enforcement contacting subscribers accessing illegal streams.
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