Amazon Firestick warning is issued as police raid 30 suppliers in crackdown on unlawful streaming TV

Sellers of ‘dodgy’ firesticks that allow people to illegally stream paid-for live sports and the latest films have been receiving an unexpected knock on the door amid a huge police crackdown on the devices across the UK. 

Thirty suppliers of illegal streaming services and devices were visited in person and issued with cease-and-desist warnings by post, instructing them to stop or face potential criminal prosecution, following a joint operation by the police and the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT).   

The clampdown spanned locations across the UK, including London, Cheshire, Kent, Sussex, Norfolk, Northamptonshire, Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire, the East and West Midlands, Greater Manchester, Merseyside, Northumbria, and North Yorkshire.

In South Wales, a 42-year-old man from Newport was arrested on suspicion of involvement in illegal streaming operations, including the sale of illicit Firesticks. He remains under investigation and could face criminal charges. 

FACT and South Wales Police seized several digital devices which are now undergoing forensic examination. 

Additionally, FACT issued a number of takedown requests to social media platforms and online marketplaces, further disrupting the illegal IPTV activity.

Advertising for these services has also been removed from platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X. 

Courts are increasingly imposing severe penalties for illegal streaming operations, as FACT warned there would be consequences for those who continue to sell devices and provide services illegally. 

Sellers of ‘dodgy’ firesticks that allow people to illegally stream paid-for live sports and the latest films have been receiving an unexpected knock on the door amid a huge police crackdown on the devices across the UK

Thirty suppliers of primate streaming services and devices were visited in person and issued with cease-and-desist warnings by post

Last month, a private prosecution undertaken by the Premier League resulted in Jonathan Edge, 29, from Liverpool, being jailed for three years and four months, after pleading guilty to three offences under the Fraud Act.

His prison term included a separate sentence for accessing and viewing the content he supplied.   

An investigation discovered that Edge uploaded the content onto Firesticks and was paid cash in hand at his home.

He was warned on several occasions to stop, but continued to upload the illegal material.

Julian Nutter, defending, argued Edge was somewhat acting as a ‘Robin Hood’ figure by giving people who would struggle to afford a Sky subscription access to the games.

‘Whether or not he made a significant profit is an issue which is raised. The point should be made on his behalf that the people who would buy his products would not be people who are likely to have the money to buy a Sky subscription,’ Mr Nutter said. 

‘They have limited income. The people he would be been dealing with in the Merseyside area would hardly be the same as toffs in London who would have money coming in from the city.

‘He was providing a service to people who would probably not be able to afford it otherwise. There’s an element of a Robin Hood to all that.’

Jonathan Edge, 29, from Liverpool, was jailed for three years and four months for uploading illegal content onto Firesticks following a private prosecution brought by the Premier League

After carrying out the prosecution, Premier League General Counsel, Kevin Plumb, said: ‘We will continue to pursue legal action against those supplying unauthorised access to Premier League football, regardless of the scale or mode of operation. 

‘Ignoring warnings to stop only served to make the consequences worse for the individual.’

In a statement issued by FACT, Kieron Sharp, CEO, warned people who use these devices or services that Illegal streaming can expose their personal data, including banking details and sensitive information. 

Additionally, it can introduce malware onto home devices.

Mr Sharp said: ‘To those using illegal streaming services, the message is that you’re not just committing a crime; you are putting yourself at risk. 

‘These services often expose users to malware, scams, and data theft, with no recourse when things go wrong. 

‘The safest, smartest and only choice is to stick to legitimate providers for your entertainment.’

FACT uses intelligence from Crimestoppers from anonymous reports from the public and works with sports rights holders and broadcast partners, including The Premier League, Sky, TNT Sports and Virgin Media, to investigate and prosecute anyone involved in intellectual property crimes.