Four people arrested and £750,000 worth of servers seized in major crackdown after 17 areas targeted in raids – full list
Users of so-called ‘dodgy’ fire sticks have been issued a fresh warning as police cracked down on one of the UK’s largest illicit TV streaming operations, serving millions of viewers. In a significant blow to households using these questionable devices to access shows, films and sports, four individuals—including two women aged 21 and 40—were arrested, and 10 servers valued at £750,000 were confiscated.
A 49-year-old man from Bolton is believed to have raked in over £3 million from the operation, according to the City of London Police. A 40-year-old man from Blackpool was also taken into custody on suspicion of conspiracy to distribute copyright-infringing articles and money laundering.
The investigation was sparked by Sky, who tipped off detectives about suspicious activity linked to a large-scale illegal streaming service. The culprits were found to be operating IPTV devices, providing customers with content from major platforms like Sky Sports, Netflix, Amazon Prime, BT and Disney+ without any subscription fees.
During last week’s raid in Manchester, officers shut down the servers on site. Detective Constable Jordan Day, from the force’s intellectual property crime unit, warned: “Criminals continue to provide illegal IPTV streaming services to consumers.”
He stressed that these services are not harmless alternatives but rather organised criminal operations generating millions in unlawful profits. “It is more important than ever that our team works to protect the integrity of broadcasting and the millions of people who rely on it.
“This operation demonstrates the impact we can have when we work closely with partners like Sky to dismantle these illegal networks, sending a clear message to those who profit from piracy that they will be held to account.”
Punters typically fork out around £13.53 monthly, or £162 yearly, for dodgy set-top boxes. Yet experts caution this represents a “false economy” that could eventually cost 15 times more due to scammers.
In London, four out of ten people reported that rather than IPTV gadgets proving more budget-friendly, they endured average financial losses of £1,418 after personal details and banking information were compromised. Some victims even lost control of their home Wi-Fi networks.
One in 10 lost more than £2,500, according to BeStreamWise – a cross-industry initiative. Matt Hibbert, Sky’s group director of anti-piracy, said: “We thank the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit for taking decisive action against a major pirate operation. “We take the protection of our content extremely seriously given the significant investment we make and will continue to work with the police and industry partners to disrupt the criminal networks behind piracy.
“People who watch illegal streams should know that it isn’t a victimless crime: recent research by BeStreamWise advise that nearly 65 per cent of illegal streamers have faced security scares like malware through these unlawful methods. This action will help keep consumers, their devices and their personal data safe. “
Law enforcement bodies, anti-piracy organisations and broadcasting firms have been collaborating to dismantle the illicit firestick trade through financial sanctions and property raids.
17 UK areas targeted in ‘dodgy’ Fire Stick crackdown
- London
- Kent
- Sussex
- Norfolk
- Northamptonshire
- Lincolnshire
- Derbyshire
- Staffordshire
- East and West Midlands
- Greater Manchester
- Cheshire
- Merseyside
- Northumbria
- North Yorkshire
- South Wales
- North East England
- North West England
A National Trading Standards spokesperson stated: “Accessing pirated content through illegal TV fire sticks undermines the UK’s entertainment industry, putting its talented workforce and supply chains at risk by depriving them of fair earnings and revenue.
“It also puts consumers at rise by exposing them to illegal software that can put their data and bank details in jeopardy. An important reminder to all those who buy and sell TV firesticks is that crime does not pay, it breaches copyright law and we encourage people to report suspected cases to the Citizens Advice consumer service.”
Meanwhile, users have reported being prevented from using “dodgy” Fire Sticks with thousands unable to stream complimentary TV programmes. Amazon’s clampdown has finally reached the UK after the tech giant blocked the dodgy devices in other territories last year.
Users have reported that illicit streaming apps installed on their Fire TV Sticks are being prevented from launching. Instead, some users are met with a message stating the app ‘has been disabled because it has been identified as using or providing access to unlicensed content’, according to Cord Busters.
FACT has warned that those distributing and viewing content could face penalties up to £50,000 for using modified Fire Sticks to illegally access Sky and Premier League programming. While those consuming illegal streams may face more lenient sanctions, they could still be hit with fines running into thousands of pounds.