Police Raid IPTV Operation: 2 Arrested and Viewers Investigated!

By iptv.legal , in News , at December 14, 2023

Police have raided another IPTV operation, and this time two individuals were arrested while viewers are being investigated.

Last week we reported on an IPTV raid in Greece that led to the arrest of nine individuals. These IPTV raids seem to be happening more frequently.

But this time authorities are also investigating the viewers of pirate IPTV services.

The UK’s Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) has recently undertaken a significant operation against digital piracy.

In a series of coordinated raids conducted on a Tuesday, ERSOU targeted a sophisticated pirate IPTV operation across Essex, Hertfordshire, and Lanarkshire in Scotland.

This marks a notable escalation in Europe’s fight against digital content piracy.

Scope of the Pirate IPTV Operation

ERSOU executed warrants at residential addresses, leading to the apprehension of two men aged 33 and 35 on suspicions of fraud, money laundering, and intellectual property offenses.

This operation, likely supported by Sky investigators, focused on a Telegram channel selling illegal subscription packages for Sky TV, indicating a lucrative, large-scale criminal enterprise.

Seizures and Arrests: The Impact of IPTV Raids

The investigation revealed that the operation generated over £800,000 (approximately US $1.01 million) from thousands of users.

During the raids, police seized around £17,000 in cash, various digital devices, and several ‘custom’ streaming devices, likely including modified Amazon Firesticks.

Police Seized Modified Amazon Firesticks

Additional Arrests and Firearms Seizure

An unexpected turn in the operation was the seizure of two shotguns at the Harlow address, resulting in an additional arrest for firearms license breaches.

This finding highlights the potential connections between digital piracy and other forms of criminal activities.

We have always warned our visitors about the tie between unverified IPTV operators and organized crime.

Legal Implications and Consumer Warnings

ERSOU Detective Inspector Steve Payne described the arrests as part of an investigation into a sophisticated criminal operation.

He emphasized the involvement of ordinary people seeking cheaper TV access and warned that purchasers of these illegal streams are breaking the law and could face prosecution.

Matt Hibbert, Sky’s Director of Anti-Piracy, expressed support for ERSOU’s actions.

The corporate sector views these enforcement actions as vital in combating content theft and protecting consumers from risks associated with illegal content access.

Final Thoughts

The recent raids in the UK are part of an increasing trend across Europe, where actions against pirate IPTV services are intensifying.

As law enforcement agencies increase their efforts, the landscape of digital content consumption continues to evolve with a focus on legality and security.

More more information on this story, refer to the official ERSOU press release.

Legal Streaming Options

IPTV Wire can’t determine whether third-party IPTV services, apps, websites, or add-ons hold the proper licensing.

If and when a streaming website is deemed illegal, we notify our users immediately and update reports on our website like this one to reflect that information.

In conclusion, the end-user is responsible for all content accessed through free streaming sites, apps, and paid services.

See our detailed guide below for more information on the legality of IPTV and everything you need to know before streaming.

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