Individual Suspected of Operating Pirate Site ‘Al Ángulo TV’ Arrested in Argentina Copyright Crackdown
Published
- Streaming pirate arrest: Authorities arrested the operator of a popular pirate streaming site in Argentina and seized the associated goods.
- Sports website: The website contained premium sports content that over 100,000 may have used, considering the number of social media followers.
- Crowdfunding for legal costs: Posts circulating on social media suggest that the family of the accused try to raise money for the trial.
Argentine authorities have apprehended Alejo Leonel Warles, the alleged operator behind the popular pirate streaming site Al Ángulo TV, in a significant copyright infringement case that has garnered international attention. A crowdfunding campaign allegedly started by his family is underway to raise funds to help Warles.
The Al Ángulo TV operator's arrest represents a coordinated enforcement action involving multiple jurisdictions and major sports organizations.
High-Profile Streaming Service Takedown
Warles, operating under the alias "Shishi," managed Al Ángulo TV through various domain names and Android applications, providing unauthorized access to premium sports content across Latin America.
Law enforcement officials seized computers, mobile devices, electronic equipment, and cryptocurrency assets stored in virtual wallets during the residential raid.
The pirate service's primary domain became inaccessible immediately following the arrest, indicating a comprehensive operational shutdown.
The platform garnered substantial popularity, accumulating over 100,000 followers on social media accounts like YouTube and X, and processing more than 3 million monthly visits by July 2025. Warles knew the service was illegal, telling followers that “no one could catch him,” according to a report from Infobae.
The site and its Android app utilized at least 14 mirror domains to replicate live matches and races, generating revenue through suspicious advertising, sources familiar with the case told Infobae. This practice puts users at risk of data theft and malware infections.
The alleged operator had also appeared in press interviews and was active on YouTube under the username W4RLES, TorrentFreak reported.
The arrest operation, executed by San Isidro DDI in Paraná, Argentina, followed a month-long criminal investigation conducted by the Specialized Cybercrime Investigation Unit (UFEIC) supported by international organizations, including the Alliance Against Audiovisual Piracy (ALIANZA) and Spain's LaLiga.
Legal Proceedings and Defense Strategy
Warles faces charges under Argentina's Law 11.723 copyright statute, carrying potential multi-year imprisonment penalties. The defense attorney has filed bail applications, emphasizing Warles' clean criminal record and characterizing the proceedings as a David vs. Goliath legal battle against multinational corporate interests.
The defendant's family has reportedly initiated crowdfunding campaigns to finance legal representation and associated expenses, generating widespread social media support.
Reports say defense counsel argues that powerful entertainment conglomerates, particularly LaLiga, are driving prosecution efforts against an individual from modest economic circumstances.
Industry Implications and Enforcement Precedent
Revenue generation through advertising placements and cryptocurrency donations enabled Al Ángulo TV's operational sustainability, according to Infobae.
The case parallels previous prosecutions involving similar sports streaming platforms, establishing legal precedent for international copyright enforcement coordination. In May, Cloudflare CEO warned that LaLiga piracy overblocking in Spain could impact emergency services.
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