Amazon Fire Stick users issued warnings against owners after raids

Police have questioned a dozen people who sold illegal access to premium TV content in Britain.

One person was arrested and 11 others were questioned as police swarmed areas from Portsmouth to Manchester, Leeds and Wales.

Anyone using modified Amazon Fire Sticks to illegally stream content such as Premier League football has been warned following the raids.

Fire Sticks give users instant access to TV shows from a range of paid streaming apps, such as Prime Video, Netflix and Disney+.

However, people often get versions with unofficial apps on them that provide free or cheap access to premium channels.

A spokesperson for FACT, the British digital forensics company, has said the country is cracking down on digital piracy.

He said: “Implementing these measures has sent a strong message: piracy is a criminal act that must be treated with the utmost seriousness and decisive action will be taken against providers of illegal services, regardless of their size or scale.

“We remain vigilant in monitoring platforms including modified firesticks that promote and distribute illegal streams, and take decisive action against those selling illegal access to premium TV content.

“FACT and its partners are committed to disrupting these criminal operations and non-compliance will result in further law enforcement action.”

In the recent raids, he credited the PIPCU (Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit) for a successful operation.

Detective Chief Inspector Emma Warbey from PIPCU added that illegal streaming is an issue that police are starting to take very seriously.

She said: “Illegal streaming is a major problem for the industry and while it may seem like a low-risk, high-reward crime, the proceeds are used to fund other serious forms of criminal activity.

“At the same time, it can expose end users to the risks of data theft, fraud and malware.”

‘By targeting grassroots sellers we are sending a clear message that this will not be tolerated.

“PIPCU will continue to work with law enforcement and industry partners to take action against those offering illegal streaming services and protect consumers from the risks associated with their use.”

All 12 people police spoke to were given warnings, meaning they all now have criminal records.

If they do not comply with the rules in the warning, they can appear in court.

It was recently revealed that around 19 percent of people streamed content illegally over a three-month period.

Police raided homes and made two arrests in January after finding pirated Fire TV devices were being sold with full unauthorized access to premium Sky packages.

And an investigation led to the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) discovering a Telegram channel selling the illegal Fire Sticks, netting those involved more than £800,000.

Detective Inspector Steve Payne, from ERSOU’s regional organized crime unit, is concerned that this money will be used to fund other crimes.

He said: “We know from experience that the money generated in this way is often used to fund wider organized crime, which is why it is vital to arrest those involved.

“We have also accessed the data of those purchasing the streams, and I would like to remind anyone who does so that they are breaking the law and could ultimately be subject to criminal charges.”