Fire sticks that have been ‘cracked’ to allow them to show content like live Premier League matches have become hugely popular in the UK, despite being illegal
Users of illegal ‘dodgy’ fire sticks are being warned after police launched another crackdown on the streaming method. Eight areas of the UK are being targeted by the police and copyright experts.
It is estimated that around five million people in the UK use fire sticks that have been modified with software to show paid-for subscription services like Sky, Netflix, Disney+ and TNT Sports. Police say that these devices, which have been ‘cracked’ or ‘jailbroken’, are often linked to organised crime and gangs.
Nevertheless, they have grown in popularity in recent years, with users charged around £50-a-year to access a world of content, including live Premier League football matches, films and TV series.
Police have been working with the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) to try and target suppliers of the devices. Operation Eider has ramped up their work and led to crackdowns in eight areas of the UK.
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They are: London, the South West, North West, North East, Scotland, Wales, Yorkshire and Humber, and the West Midlands. Individuals in those areas suspected of supplying the fire sticks have been issued with cease and desist letters and been visited by officers.
“FACT’s enforcement activities against illegal streaming are ongoing throughout the year,” FACT chairman Kieron Sharp said. “Together with our partners and the police, we constantly review new intelligence and target those areas of the UK and Ireland where the data shows that illegal streaming activity is taking place.
“Our investigations are thorough, and we are relentless in our determination to stop illegal streaming and bring offenders to justice. To avoid jeopardising operations that are in progress, we do not share details publicly until enforcement action has been completed.”
The warning follows a wave of high-profile cases. Jonathan Edge from Liverpool was jailed in November 2024 after using Amazon fire sticks to show Premier League football to customers. He was privately prosecuted by the Premier League and pleaded guilty to three fraud offences, leading to a jail sentence of three years and four months at Liverpool Crown Court.
Detective Sergeant Adam Dagnall of Merseyside Police’s Cybercrime Unit said: “Merseyside Police takes illegal streaming seriously because it often helps fund organised crime and puts users at real risk.
“Not only is it a criminal offence, but the unauthorised streaming services frequently contain malware that can compromise personal devices and lead to the loss of information such as banking details, or be used to commit identity fraud. Legitimate providers have security measures that protect users from these threats. Please don’t be tempted by cheap so-called ‘fully loaded’ or ‘jailbroken’ devices, even as Christmas gifts – you could end up getting more than you bargained for.”
The Premier League said in a statement after he was sentenced: “Edge ignored multiple warnings to stop this activity, which was referenced by the judge and treated as an aggravating factor towards the sentence passed. The judge also recognised that legitimate subscribers are victims of these fraudulent operations and therefore their impact goes beyond that experienced by the broadcast industry.”
In a different case, Stephen Woodward was jailed for three years after making £1.1million from three illegal streaming sites over a seven-year period.
