Police are identifying users of so-called 'dodgy firesticks' by going through the bank accounts of sellers who have been caught, according to former detective Rav Wilding. Speaking on BBC Morning Live, he warned that using a modified streaming device to access premium content without paying is a crime that can lead to large fines and even a custodial sentence.
A 'fully loaded' Fire TV Stick is a standard Amazon Fire TV Stick that has been modified, 'jailbroken,' or side-loaded with unauthorised third-party apps, custom media players such as Kodi, and illegal IPTV subscriptions. These devices are typically sold by independent dealers on social media, online marketplaces, or in person for a one-time fee, often between £30 and £100, frequently bundled with a 12-to-24-month subscription to pirate services.
How the crackdown works
Mr Wilding, a former detective, explained that police forces across the UK are carrying out raids prompted by internet service providers and streamers such as Sky. He said: "Police are cracking down on this. It's estimated up to 4 million people or households have got these items at the moment. All of them using them illegally. They're going for the distributors. They're going for the sellers, those that are selling these devices. They are having a lot of success. But actually, once they've got the seller, they're going through their accounts."
He added that officers are "seeing who has been paying the money, who have they been getting money from for these illegal things and actually reaching out further afield to try and find out who's been using these sticks illegally." He noted that police are checking bank statements to see who has been paying sellers, and that buyers "should possibly expect a conversation or two if the police want to know why they've been paying them money for this."
Warnings for users and sellers
Mr Wilding stressed that owning the stick itself is not a crime, but using it for this purpose is. He said: "It is actually a crime and it can have a nasty fine, a huge fine and also a custodial sentence for users and sellers of these things." He also noted that some subscription service providers are losing money to this activity and are taking action against those using the devices illegally.
The crackdown is co-ordinated by the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), an anti-piracy organisation sponsored by the film and video industry, with police forces across the UK getting involved. Kieron Sharp, chairman of FACT, said: "We have a wide range of enforcement options — from issuing cease and desist notices to 'knock and talk' visits — through to full criminal prosecutions where appropriate. We will take robust action against those involved — not only targeting sellers and distributors, but also those facilitating and profiting from the illegal activity."
The biggest sentences will be reserved for supplying and distributing TV fire sticks and concealing bank transfers linked to criminal activity. Viewers tempted to buy an illegal stick because it saves them money could find themselves financially worse off, and threatened with prison.
