UK authorities have launched another major crackdown on illegal streaming, with police and fraud investigators turning up on the doorsteps of 30 people suspected of selling “dodgy” Firesticks and illegal IPTV services.
The nationwide raids have already led to one arrest, with a man in Newport finding police at his door – and his collection of modified Amazon Fire TV Sticks being hauled away as evidence.
In a clear sign that authorities are taking illegal streaming more seriously than ever, the two-week operation stretched from London to North Yorkshire, with investigators working alongside local police forces to track down sellers operating from their homes.
Furthermore, recent cases demonstrate that sellers are not the only ones at risk – with users of illegal IPTV services suffering consequences as well.
First Arrest: Newport Raid Sets Tone
The operation has already claimed its first arrest, with South Wales Police taking swift action in Newport.
Officers raided the home of a 42-year-old man suspected of selling modified Firesticks and illegal IPTV subscriptions, in what appears to be just the beginning of this nationwide crackdown.
During the raid, officers seized multiple digital devices – including several Firesticks – which are now undergoing forensic examination.
The suspect remains under investigation and could face criminal charges.
This arrest highlights how what might seem like a small-scale operation run from home can quickly escalate into a serious criminal matter, with police forces across the country now treating illegal streaming operations as a priority.
The Nationwide Sweep
The scale of this operation is particularly noteworthy, covering a vast stretch of the country. FACT investigators and police forces targeted sellers across:
- London and the South East (Kent, Sussex)
- The Midlands (East and West Midlands, Staffordshire, Derbyshire)
- Northern England (Greater Manchester, Merseyside, North Yorkshire)
- Eastern England (Norfolk, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire)
- Wales (Newport)
The operation didn’t stop at physical visits – FACT also launched a digital offensive, issuing multiple takedown requests to social media platforms and online marketplaces where these illegal services were being advertised.
Understanding The Firestick Connection
Amazon’s Fire TV Stick has become wildly popular as a streaming device – and for good reason. These small, affordable gadgets let you transform any TV into a smart streaming hub for services like Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon’s Prime Video.
But alongside their intended uses, Firesticks have also caught the attention of those looking to bypass legitimate streaming services – which is where things get potentially illegal.
While the device itself is completely legal, some sellers modify or “jailbreak” these Firesticks to install unofficial apps that provide unauthorised access to premium content.
This process has become increasingly common, partly because it’s relatively simple to do.
It’s worth noting that “jailbreaking” or “sideloading” unofficial apps onto a Firestick isn’t actually illegal in itself.
In fact, many people use these methods legitimately to install useful apps that aren’t available in Amazon’s official app store.
However, things take an illegal turn when these modified devices are used to access copyrighted content without proper authorization.
These “fully loaded” Firesticks (also known as ‘dodgy sticks / boxes’), as they’re often advertised, typically come pre-installed with apps that promise free (or very-low-cost) access to:
- Premium TV channels
- Live sports events (especially Premier League matches)
- Latest movies still in cinemas
- TV shows from subscription services
- Pay-per-view events
The appeal is obvious – all this content for a one-time payment that’s far less than legitimate subscription services. But there’s a catch (actually, several catches).
First, accessing this content without proper licenses is illegal, as recent court cases have shown.
But beyond the legal risks, these unofficial apps often lack the security measures found in legitimate streaming apps. This means your device (and potentially your home network) could be exposed to malware and other security threats.
Plus, there’s the question of reliability. While official streaming services maintain their servers and regularly update their apps, illegal services can disappear overnight – often taking customers’ money with them and leaving modified Firesticks useless.
Recent High-Profile UK IPTV Cases
This latest crackdown follows several significant convictions across the UK:
The Liverpool Operation (November 2024): Jonathan Edge, 29, received a three-year and four-month prison sentence for running a Firestick modification operation from his home.
What makes this case particularly notable is that Edge received a separate concurrent sentence specifically for watching the illegal streams himself.
When police seized his mobile phone, they also discovered details of over 500 customers who had purchased illegal streaming devices.
The £1 Million Premier League Scheme (October 2023): Steven Mills, 58, from Shrewsbury, was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for operating an illegal streaming service that made £1 million over five years.
His operation used custom apps on Fire TV devices to distribute content to over 30,000 subscribers.
The Mass Crackdown (July 2024): A nationwide operation saw 40 illegal IPTV operators targeted, with authorities conducting raids from Essex to Dundee.
The operation led to three significant arrests and the removal of over 3,000 online adverts for illegal services.
A Warning To Users And Sellers
FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft) CEO Kieron Sharp emphasised the serious nature of these offences:
“Our cease-and-desist measures are not just warnings – they are the first step toward holding offenders accountable. Many who ignored these notices in the past are now facing arrest and criminal charges.”
Sharp also highlighted the risks for users: “These services often expose users to malware, scams, and data theft, with no recourse when things go wrong.”
Protecting Yourself: Red Flags To Watch For
With illegal streaming apps and services becoming so popular, it’s important to look out for red flags when you’re wondering whether to subscribe to a service or buy a device:
- Firesticks advertised as “fully loaded” or “jailbroken”
- Promises of free premium content or unusually low prices
- Devices sold through social media or unofficial channels
- Pre-installed apps claiming to offer free access to paid content
- Sellers requiring payment through non-traditional methods
If you’re in the market for a streaming device, stick to legitimate retailers and official streaming services. If something looks (and is priced) too good to be true – it probably is.
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Personally, I dont know why people want so many streaming services. I find it difficult to keep up with the likes of Tebo, Freevee, ITVX and YouTube. But I guess some people have way too much time on their hands. You pay for this kind of service, you takes your chances.
South Wales police in Newport?
From Google maps: “Newport is a city and county borough in Wales, situated on the River Usk close to its confluence with the Severn Estuary, 12 mi northeast of Cardiff”.