AMAZON Fire Stick owners have been warned of a new crackdown on illegal streaming after a man was arrested.
The suspect, 42, was from Nottingham and used the device to distribute top shows, films and sport by illegally streaming Sky TV for free.
Police, who subsequently seized the man’s equipment, said the arrest was a clear signal to those watching Sky without permission.
Authorities also threatened that individuals may be surprised as their streams go dark.
The police currently have powers under various laws, including the Proceeds of Crime Act, the Computer Misuse Act and the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act.
The man has since been bailed pending further inquiries, the Mirror reports.
Detective Sergeant David Beach, from Nottinghamshire Police’s Cyber ​​Crime Unit, said: “This action sends a strong message that we are targeting those who knowingly commit or enable copyright infringement online.”
He added: “This particular operation is not only causing huge losses to the entertainment industry, but it is also unfair that millions of people work hard to afford their subscription-only TV services while others cheat the system.
“Some may think that paying for illegal streaming devices and services is a victimless crime, but it’s not.”
Last year, a survey by global research firm YouGov Sport found that 5.1 million adults in England, Scotland and Wales admitted to watching sport via an illegal streaming website or pirated app.
Amazon Prime Video, Sky Sports and TNT Sports share the media rights to live Premier League games in the UK, yet a subscription to all three services would cost fans more than £70 a month.
In addition to the cost of living crisis, more and more people are less inclined to make repayments – especially when they know they can get it for free elsewhere.
However, Sky’s director of anti-piracy, Matt Hibbert, expressed his gratitude to the police following the recent arrest of the man.
He said: “We would like to thank Nottinghamshire Police’s Cyber ​​Crime Team for taking this strong action against illegal streamers.
“We will continue to support law enforcement to protect our content, address illegal streaming and help protect consumers from the risks that illegal streaming can pose.”
Hacked streaming sticks are not only illegal, but they can cause nasty viruses to hack into your software.
Detective Inspector Steve Frame, from Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Illegal streaming is far from a victimless crime and, as well as the impact it has on businesses and content creators, it essentially means that legitimate subscribers pay for those who access such services illegally.
“Illegal streams also increase the risk of users receiving malware, which can put them at increased risk of becoming victims of Computer Misuse Act crimes.”
It comes just days after a man who fled the UK was finally jailed after selling thousands of illegal IPTV boxes with access to premium Sky and BT channels.
Michael Hornung, 40, from Hyde, Greater Manchester, was jailed for four years and six months for running the scheme and stealing an estimated £350,000.
The TV boxes it sold provided access to Sky, BT and Virgin Media subscription services, as well as thousands of on-demand movies and pay-per-view content.
Households using dodgy streaming devices were also recently hit with a “stern warning” after an illegal TV operation was busted.
Two men running illegal streaming ring ‘Titan Streams’ have been caught selling illegal Sky and TNT Sports subscriptions to thousands of people, according to Worcestershire County Council.
Benjamin Yates and Lewis Finch pleaded guilty to illegally providing Internet television (IPTV), which allows free access to paid services.