Illegal streamers warned as man jailed for 6 years

Illegal TV Fire Sticks and/or ‘dodgy boxes’ are streaming devices that have third-party software installed in them.

The software allows users to watch premium content from providers such as Sky, TNT Sport, Disney+ and Netflix for free.

The use of these devices is a “serious crime”, and police forces across the UK and Ireland, as well as organisations including Crimestoppers and the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), have been attempting to stamp them out.

Man jailed for 6 years for sale of illegal streaming service

Milan Ibrahim, 68, of Chorley, was sentenced to six and a half years in prison on Thursday, August 27, after being found guilty of conspiracy to defraud at Preston Crown Court.

He made nearly £1 million (£980,812) over three years by selling illegal IPTV services that gave customers unauthorised access to premium television content.

His business, which operated from 80 servers, redistributed broadcasts from major rights holders, including:

• BBC
• ITV
• Sky
• Premier League
• Motion Pictures Association

The content was converted into IPTV-friendly formats and sold as subscriptions to customers in the UK and abroad.

Investigation officer at the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) at the City of London Police, Emma Slater, said: “It is important that PIPCU pursues criminals who seek to profit from the supply of illegal IPTV services.

“These offenders show complete disregard for rights holders and the actors, creative artists, technical specialists, and support staff involved in producing the content they unlawfully distribute.”

Ms Slater said illegal IPTV is not a victimless crime and that the financial harm caused by these services impacts the entire creative industry.

She said: “PIPCU will continue to pursue those involved in the provision of illegal IPTV services, both in the UK and internationally.

“We work closely with industry partners and law enforcement agencies around the world to identify, disrupt, and prosecute offenders.”

All 80 servers were seized and shut down during enforcement action, disrupting the illegal service.

Ibrahim will now face proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act to recover his criminal earnings.

Director of Legal- Enforcement at the Premier League, Stefan Sergot, said: “This is a significant outcome against one of the UK’s most prominent and long-standing suppliers of pirate services.

“Milan Ibrahim repeatedly sold content belonging to the Premier League and other rights holders for his own financial gain.

“His sentence reflects the seriousness of his offending and sends a clear message that those who profit from piracy will ultimately be held accountable.”

Users of illegal streaming devices warned they face “serious consequences”

The Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) has warned others using or supplying illegal streaming devices/service that they face “serious consequences”.

Investigations manager at FACT, Nick Sumner, said: “Illegal streaming services undermine the broadcasters and rights holders that invest in creating and distributing that content.

“This outcome sends a clear message: running an illegal streaming service is a criminal offence with serious consequences.”

Sky issues new warning on illegal streaming devices as Premier League season begins https://t.co/t1jGBkJkat

— Irvine Times (@irvinetimes) August 26, 2026

Head of business and legal affairs, IP protection at BBC Studios, Diane Hamer, said piracy has real-world impacts.

She explained: “Piracy is not a victimless crime.

“Those responsible contribute nothing to the creation or broadcast of television programmes.

“Their actions not only deprive the UK’s creative industries of vital revenue, impacting creators, businesses, and professionals who rely on the protection of intellectual property rights, but also impacts licence fee payers.

“This conviction sends a clear message that such activity has real consequences.”

The dangers of using illegal streaming devices

“Illegal streaming services are increasingly operated by sophisticated criminal networks, often involved in other types of crime,” BeStreamWise explained.

Meaning those who use illegal streaming devices run the risk of “letting criminals in”, resulting in:

• Viruses and malware
• ID theft, scams, and fraud
• Inappropriate content

Around 39% of illegal streamers in the UK have suffered financial losses due to cybercrime linked to piracy, according to BeStreamWise.

The average amount stolen through illegal streaming is £1,680, while one in ten have lost more than £5,000.

What is the penalty if caught with a ‘dodgy’ Fire TV Stick?

Not only can the use of illegal streaming devices leave users open to ID theft, fraud, and viruses, but it can also result in fines and jail time.

Those caught using or selling a ‘dodgy’ fire stick/box and streaming premium content without paying are in breach of Section 11 of the Fraud Act 2006.

It says a person will be in breach if they obtain services “without any payment having been made for or in respect of them or without payment having been made in full”.

A person found guilty of this kind of offence could be fined or face a jail sentence of around five years.

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