More than two dozen suppliers of ‘dodgy’ Amazon Fire TV Sticks have been raided by police amid a crackdown on the distribution of the video devices that allow people to watch pirated TV for next to nothing.
Anti-piracy body the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) has launched a sneak attack on those selling the modified TV sticks in collaboration with UK police forces, with more than 30 suppliers targeted during the two-week operation.
Those greeted with an unexpected knock at the door by officers have been ordered stop stop selling the devices with immediate effect or face criminal prosecution. A 42-year-old man from Newport was also arrested on suspicion of involvement in illegal streaming.
Experts have previously warned hacked streaming devices support organised crime and could even be used by bad actors as listening devices – but viewers buy them to circumvent the £100-plus monthly bill associated with TV and web streaming subscriptions.
However, FACT says it is pushing for tougher prosecutions – with one illegal Premier League streamer given a tougher sentence than those given to thugs and sex pests after ignoring repeat warnings from the football league to stop his activities.
As well as doorstepping alleged pirates across the country, FACT has issued takedown requests targeting social media platforms and online marketplaces where the bill-dodging devices are being offered for sale.
Advertising for these services has also been removed from platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and X.
Last month, Jonathan Edge, 29, from Liverpool, was jailed for three years and four months, after pleading guilty to three offences under the Fraud Act.
His prison term, brought about following a private prosecution by the Premier League, included a separate sentence for accessing and viewing the content he supplied.
An investigation discovered that Edge uploaded the content onto Fire Sticks and was paid cash in hand at his home for the devices. He was warned on several occasions to stop, but continued to upload the illegal material.
Julian Nutter, defending, argued Edge was a ‘Robin Hood’ figure who gave football match coverage to those who would struggle to afford subscription packages.
‘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.’
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.’
Kieron Sharp, CEO of FACT, says illegal Fire sticks can also be packed with dodgy malware that could expose personal information and banking details, or even be used by hackers to break into home networks.
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.’
He added: ‘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. We strongly advise anyone involved in these activities to stop immediately.’
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.