Illegal streaming has experienced a surge in recent years, a trend not unexpected given the ongoing financial challenges faced by many households in the UK. To cope with the cost of living, numerous families have sought more affordable options for accessing premium content, often turning to unofficial platforms that offer complete content at a fraction of the legitimate price.
While the allure of illegal streaming may seem enticing, it remains a focal point of scrutiny. A popular service providing access to content, including Sky channels, has recently been permanently shut down, leaving subscribers who had paid for the service at a loss.
In addition to the closure, the individual responsible for operating the illicit online service has been sentenced to a substantial prison term by UK authorities.
Nishan Silva, a 34-year-old resident of Hitchin, is now serving a three-year jail sentence for his involvement in managing and facilitating an illegal IPTV service. Operating under the aliases Andy UTV and Ultimate TV Service, this platform boasted thousands of followers.
Appearing at Inner London Crown Court on Thursday, October 2, Silva admitted to various offenses, such as distributing copyrighted material and engaging in financial transactions involving criminal proceeds.
Formerly employed as an accountant, Silva played a key role in the operation of the illegal subscription-based platform. This service provided households in the UK with unauthorized access to multiple streaming services and is estimated to have generated hundreds of thousands of pounds in revenue.
Detective Constable Daryl Fryatt of the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit described Silva as a highly intelligent individual who misused his professional skills and position to commit serious crimes. Fryatt emphasized that PIPCU is committed to pursuing individuals profiting from illegal streaming and disrupting their operations.
Matt Hibbert, the Group Director of Anti-Piracy at Sky, expressed gratitude to the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit for their efforts in prosecuting this case. Hibbert highlighted the importance of combating content theft and safeguarding consumers from the dangers associated with illegal streaming.
It is crucial to remember that beyond the closure of illegal streams, engaging in unauthorized streaming poses other risks, including exposure to harmful software and inappropriate content.