Premier League fans warned after illegal IPTV streaming operation used by 900,000 busted

Premier League fans have been issued a stark warning over an illegal IPTV as streaming operation used by 900,000 which has been closed down. The warning comes after a man in Shrewsbury was jailed for producing Amazon Fire Sticks.

BestBuy IPTV had 900,000 customers around the world and broadcast England's top flight football league. Vietnamese authorities have arrested service owner Le Hai Nam and given him a 30-month jail sentence, with the man also ordered to pay fines totalling £21,000.

"The defendant has violated the provisions of the law which protect the copyright and related rights of the Motion Picture Association's members and the English Premier League," said Judge Le Hai Yen of the Hanoi People's Court.

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"[Such crimes are] a danger to society and needed to be strictly enforced and prosecuted. [The case should] serve as a deterrent to others."

The Premier League’s General Counsel, Kevin Plumb, said: “This result should serve as a stark warning to anyone involved in the illegal supply of Premier League streams in Vietnam.”

"Illegal streaming is a huge issue 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," said Detective Chief Inspector Emma Warbey, from the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) at City of London Police.

"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 out a clear message that this will not be tolerated. PIPCU will continue to work with partners across law enforcement and the industry to take action against those who provide illegal streaming services and protect consumers against the risks associated with using them."

Lynette Calder said: “For more serious and organised offending that went to the Crown Court, you are talking up to a maximum of 10 years in prison if the charge is under section 7, or five years for section 6 and 11.

“Why take the risk? If you can’t afford the streaming service for Premier League, then why not find yourself a pub that can.”