Police crackdown on illegal Fire TV Sticks as millions warned about the dangers

dailyrecord.co.uk:

UK Fire TV Stick users are being warned about a new risk when streaming Sky for free.Adapted Fire TV Sticks are becoming more popular, with some offering ways to watch premium TV - including Sky Sports and Cinema - without the usual cost.

However criminals are making money from this by selling "fully loaded" Fire TV Sticks for a one-off price or small monthly payment.The police have noticed this big business and have recently targeted sellers in a major crackdown across the UK.

It comes as one person has been arrested and 10 others have been interviewed under caution after an operation was carried out with FACT and the Premier League to stop illegal streaming.While the people using these devices weren't targeted, the police are warning about the dangers of using modified gadgets, reports the Mirror."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.

At the same time, it can expose end users to the risks of data theft, fraud and malware," said Detective Chief Inspector Emma Warbey, from the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) at City of London Police.She added "By targeting grassroots sellers, we are sending out a clear message that this will not be tolerated.