Major Illegal IPTV Network Dismantled by European Law Enforcement
Published on November 28, 2024
- An IPTV streaming network that illegally distributed copyrighted content was taken down by European authorities.
- The network disseminated pirated movies, series, and television channels, including premium sports broadcasts.
- More than 100 suspects were identified, and 11 were arrested on top of seizures of over EUR 1.6 million.
One of the largest illegal IPTV streaming networks operating within and outside the European Union was successfully dismantled on November 27, 2024, by European law enforcement, with support from Europol and Eurojust.
This extensive operation targeted a criminal network of 102 suspects who illegally distributed copyrighted materials, including movies, series, and over 2,500 television channels, to more than 22 million users worldwide.Â
The copyrighted works, including premium sports broadcasts, were shared without authorization from the rights holders.
The coordinated efforts of authorities across 11 countries resulted in the identification of 102 suspects and over 560 resellers, the arrest of 11 individuals, and more than 110 house searches.
The authorities seized 29 servers, took offline 100 domains, and confiscated 270 IPTV-related devices on top of seizures of EUR 1.6 million in cryptocurrency, EUR 40,000 in cash, as well as various drugs and weapons.
The investigation not only uncovered intellectual property (IP) crimes but also suggested links to other illegal activities, including money laundering and cybercrime, which remain under investigation.
Europol played a critical role in this crackdown by providing intelligence analysis, coordinating investigations, and hosting operational meetings at its headquarters in The Hague, Netherlands. Europol experts were deployed to Croatia, Italy, and the United Kingdom during the operation to provide on-the-ground forensic and logistical support.Â
Additionally, Eurojust facilitated the collaboration between judicial authorities, ensuring the seamless execution of actions across borders.
The operation included participation from law enforcement authorities across Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Private organizations like the Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance (AAPA) and @ON Network also contributed, further solidifying coordination between public and private sectors.
In September, Italy announced the introduction of automated fines for pirate IPTV subscribers in the country, enabled by a mix of advanced tracking technologies and conventional methods. Around the same time, LaLiga accused Google of indirectly endorsing piracy by standing idle while illegal IPTV services continued operating.