Police are now trawling through the bank accounts of busted sellers to identify people using illegal streaming devices, a former detective has warned, as part of a UK-wide crackdown.
Rav Wilding, speaking on BBC Morning Live, said police forces across the UK are conducting raids triggered by internet service providers and streaming platforms such as Sky. He said officers are targeting distributors and sellers of so-called 'dodgy Firesticks', then going through their accounts to find customers.
What is a 'dodgy Firestick'?
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.
Police going through sellers' accounts
Mr Wilding said: "We're talking about these streaming devices. It's a little device you plug in the back of the telly and you stream services such as sports or movies. Normally, they are premium subscription service. People are buying them online usually on the black market and then they're getting all these services for free essentially."
He added: "But it's a crime. It's not allowed. Owning the stick itself is not a crime, but using it for this purpose is."
Mr Wilding 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 continued: "They're 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 and also so they're checking their banks, are checking their statements to see who's been paying them and if they've been paying them for these sticks then you know people should possibly expect a conversation or two if the police want to know why they've been paying them money for this."
Fines and custodial sentences
Mr Wilding warned that subscription service providers are also taking action against those using the devices illegally. He said: "Actually, some of the subscription service providers themselves are losing money to this, so they have been reaching out and are taking action against those people using them illegally as well, so I wouldn't say it's something you should do. 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."
The crackdown is being co-ordinated by the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT), an anti-piracy organisation backed by the film and video industry, with police forces throughout the UK taking part. Officers can now impose tougher penalties on those discovered using these unlawful devices.
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."
Television viewers lured into purchasing an illegal stick to save money could, consequently, actually end up considerably out of pocket - and facing the threat of imprisonment. The most severe sentences will be handed down for "supplying and distributing TV fire sticks and concealing bank transfers linked to criminal activity".
