https://www.lancashire.police.uk/news/2 ... ancashire/

More than 7000 residents, believed to have been using an illegal TV streaming service, are set to receive warning notices this week from Lancashire Police.

Our cyber-crime unit is issuing the warnings to subscribers of a service called IPTV which allows users to illegally stream premium channels at a reduced rate.

Subscribers will receive the Cease and Desist Notices this week, via email, asking them to stop using the service immediately.

The warning states that subscribing to these services is a crime which carries a maximum sentence of up to five years imprisonment and/or a fine, and consequently, a criminal record.

The notice, one of the first of its kind aimed at consumers of illegal streaming services, also makes clear that Lancashire Constabulary will monitor subscribers’ behaviour and an investigation will be launched if the email is ignored.

This action is part of an ongoing investigation designed to crackdown on illegal streaming and those profiting from it.

The list of subscribers to the IPTV service was discovered after officers carried out a warrant at an address in Lytham in June.

A 28-year-old man was arrested in connection with suspected illegal streaming of premium TV channels, fraud and money laundering. Two high value cars, designer clothing, jewellery and handbags were also seized from the address.

The man has since been released under investigation and enquiries continue.

Olivia Dodding from Lancashire Police Cyber Crime Unit said: “People who subscribe to these services might not realise that they are illegal, but the simple fact is that they are.

“What may cost you a relatively small fee, actually results in television producers and sports broadcasters losing millions of pounds which affects their ability to make and show sports events and entertainments series, which many of us enjoy watching.

“Anyone who subscribes to IPTV or any other steaming service should stop now to avoid facing prosecutions themselves.”

Priorities

The real criminals that need stopping eh... the country would be a safer place if they spent 5 years in prison

Is it illegal to subscribe to one of these? Or just using it? I’d imagine it’s almost impossible to prove someone has used it.

Hang 'em. It's the only language they understand.

Yeah.... but it’s a gateway crime. Let them get away with this and they will be running girls on the streets and laundering money before you know it.

Is this REALLY important when we can see what’s happening on our streets week in week out?

Talk about going for the easy targets.

It will no doubt look good in some end of year statistical table but how about prioritising some real crime; knife crime, car crime, burglary to name a few.

Can I assume that all those that seem to have a problem with this are expecting a letter?

I think the police should be able to investigate all manner of crimes, do others not agree? What makes people think that this means they’re not prioritising more serious crimes?

I am guessing that those whose email address is their name, address, post code and phone number @yahoo.com are knackered

The Police and courts are more and more becoming just mouth pieces and debt collectors for corporations. It is easier, quicker and more profitable than keeping people safe.

If people are ripping off corporations they should be dealt with in the small claims court.

Not too many people left with good things to say about our police force, these days sadly.

Dad, why are you going to prison?

Son, I committed a horrendous and utterly despicable crime.

Oh no, dad. What did you do?

I subscribed to an IPTV service.

martin_p wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 14, 2020 1:34 pm

Can I assume that all those that seem to have a problem with this are expecting a letter?

I’ve watched a stream online on my tablet for the Burnley games and some boxing but haven’t a subscribed to anything, only because I can’t be arsed and barely watch tv anyway.

Jail him!

Orf with his head

I'll be serious for a moment. Criminalising people with up to five in prison, for what should be a copyright offence, is utterly OTT. End users of 'illegal' IPTV services should be dealt with under civil law, not the criminal court. The law is protecting the large corps here while also making itself look like an arse. I don't even use IPTV, but I'm very peed off to see the law used in this way. Fair enough, go for those at the top who are probably involved in criminal activity and money laundering, but end-users? It's ridiculous.

No one is going to prison to five years. It's unlikely they'll even follow it up. Just got lucky with the email addresses and did a press release, that's about it.

I'd be surprised if the guy running the IPTV even gets more than a fine.

NottsClaret wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 14, 2020 2:26 pm

No one is going to prison to five years. It's unlikely they'll even follow it up. Just got lucky with the email addresses and did a press release, that's about it.

I'd be surprised if the guy running the IPTV even gets more than a fine.

Oh I'm fully aware of the unlikelihood of anyone being sent to jail, however, to threaten end-users with up to five years imprisonment is crass.

The Police aren’t threatening 5 years imprisonment. That’s the sentencing guidelines. Not set by the Police.

Did anyone actually read the article?

A 28 year old male has been arrested for fraud and money laundering in relation to this. So by streaming illegally, there is the possibility that you are funding more serious criminality.

I agree it’s very minor, but the Police are impartial. If a crime is being committed, whatever the level, then they are duty bound to investigate. In this instance, they have decided an email will suffice.

If people continue to subscribe and stream illegally, and are caught again further down the line, then it’s on them. Not the Police.

Can understand why the bloke running it is in trouble. It’s money from illegal activity which is into money laundering territory.

Quickenthetempo wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 14, 2020 1:47 pm

If people are ripping off corporations they should be dealt with in the small claims court.

Not too many people left with good things to say about our police force, these days sadly.

It's stealing. Should shoplifters be dealt with in the small claims court too?

they are going to send an email, that's incredibly funny right there

I think they are just bored & also worryingly with far too much time on their hands.

What about folk who don't subscribe to IPTV but might occasionally use a VPN and a dodgy stream to watch a Burnley game?

Asking for a friend..

That's the problem with this country, we're just not soft enough.

Vintage Claret wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 14, 2020 3:20 pm

What about folk who don't subscribe to IPTV but might occasionally use a VPN and a dodgy stream to watch a Burnley game?

Asking for a friend..

you'll be fine

If I’m reading this correctly, they have seized a list of all all IPTV users from one guy and are going to contact them

I’m assuming after arresting this guy, his equipment was also seized meaning the service was stopped, so the people on that list would no longer be watching the IPTV that he provided.

How are the police going to know if those people are still watching?

wilks_bfc wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 14, 2020 3:48 pm

How are the police going to know if those people are still watching?

I'm not!

Tall Paul wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 14, 2020 2:53 pm

It's stealing. Should shoplifters be dealt with in the small claims court too?

When was the last time you seen a shoplifter dealt with? Security guards just watch them walk out. The police won't take action for anything under £200.

lol. People who knowingly use illegal service are furious at being told to stop... who do the police think they are?

Can they prosecute based on an email address? I can use anybody’s email address if I don’t have to verify it. Try bob@sky.com.

Or boris.Johnson@gov.uk

Pardon my ignorance but is IPTV some kind of pervy golden shower site?

Quickenthetempo wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 14, 2020 4:31 pm

When was the last time you seen a shoplifter dealt with? Security guards just watch them walk out. The police won't take action for anything under £200.

Last week at morrisons Skipton. They were all over him like a rash pinned to the floor...respectable looking chap to... technically he hadn't stolen anything as he was in the foyer area within the main exit doors. As he hadn't left the building. Massive overreaction imo.

Volvoclaret wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 14, 2020 6:19 pm

Pardon my ignorance but is IPTV some kind of pervy golden shower site?

You should know








Just getting my own back for ypur crack earlier VC

Rileybobs wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 14, 2020 1:35 pm

I think the police should be able to investigate all manner of crimes, do others not agree? What makes people think that this means they’re not prioritising more serious crimes?

I suppose we are assuming that, because we are continually told how absolutely strapped they are... If they have time to put into this, then we needn't worry about them catching proper naughty criminals...

Of course they should be able to investigate all manner of crimes, but it just seems this is easy compared to some other crimes they could be investigating. Anyone would think they are concerned about hitting targets...

bobinho wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 14, 2020 7:01 pm

I suppose we are assuming that, because we are continually told how absolutely strapped they are... If they have time to put into this, then we needn't worry about them catching proper naughty criminals...

Of course they should be able to investigate all manner of crimes, but it just seems this is easy compared to some other crimes they could be investigating. Anyone would think they are concerned about hitting targets...

Doesn’t seem like a particularly easy way to hit targets to me.

Rileybobs wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 14, 2020 7:05 pm

Doesn’t seem like a particularly easy way to hit targets to me.

Hitting targets... are you advocating Police Brutality

TsarBomba wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 14, 2020 2:42 pm

The Police aren’t threatening 5 years imprisonment. That’s the sentencing guidelines. Not set by the Police.

Did anyone actually read the article?

A 28 year old male has been arrested for fraud and money laundering in relation to this. So by streaming illegally, there is the possibility that you are funding more serious criminality.

I agree it’s very minor, but the Police are impartial. If a crime is being committed, whatever the level, then they are duty bound to investigate. In this instance, they have decided an email will suffice.

If people continue to subscribe and stream illegally, and are caught again further down the line, then it’s on them. Not the Police.

Just like I'm potentially funding more serious criminality by owning a car that a local scrote would want to break into to nick the contents to sell for drugs? (happened last year... bang to rights with quality facial CCTV footage but not followed up)

I'm linked to a bloody cartel and I didn't even know!

Bosscat wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 14, 2020 7:08 pm

Hitting targets... are you advocating Police Brutality

Time and a place for everything.... if someone deserves it, fair enough to me.

This is why you use a VPN.

bobinho wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 14, 2020 7:01 pm

I suppose we are assuming that, because we are continually told how absolutely strapped they are... If they have time to put into this, then we needn't worry about them catching proper naughty criminals...

Of course they should be able to investigate all manner of crimes, but it just seems this is easy compared to some other crimes they could be investigating. Anyone would think they are concerned about hitting targets...

This kind of crime is far more complex than you'd think and certainly a more protracted Investigation than the assaults/burglaries/thefts etc

Quickenthetempo wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 14, 2020 4:31 pm

When was the last time you seen a shoplifter dealt with? Security guards just watch them walk out. The police won't take action for anything under £200.

Untrue

They not catching many motorists breaking speed limits by 2mph these days?

Giftonsnoidea wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 14, 2020 9:30 pm

They not catching many motorists breaking speed limits by 2mph these days?

Yep, they did it with me earlier this year...as one of them snuck down a side road with a camera catching me at 7:50am on the first weekend of lockdown (when everyone went crazy over buying bogroll) yet every evening round my way it's like Le Mans but alas....no plod to be seen

As for IPTV - surely it's not illegal to subscribe to one. I don't, but if I did I would be arguing that I'm entitled to subscribe to what I like and as long as I were to watch the free to air channels or ones which are already paid for in a separate room, then where is the offence. If you stream services which you haven't' paid for then maybe that's a different story. I'd like to see them challenge that is the case.

My mate who has had 3 or 4 different I pee tee vee suppliers, says emails have never been taken for any of them.

Belial wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 14, 2020 10:41 pm

Yep, they did it with me earlier this year...as one of them snuck down a side road with a camera catching me at 7:50am on the first weekend of lockdown (when everyone went crazy over buying bogroll) yet every evening round my way it's like Le Mans but alas....no plod to be seen

As for IPTV - surely it's not illegal to subscribe to one. I don't, but if I did I would be arguing that I'm entitled to subscribe to what I like and as long as I were to watch the free to air channels or ones which are already paid for in a separate room, then where is the offence. If you stream services which you haven't' paid for then maybe that's a different story. I'd like to see them challenge that is the case.

If it's illegal to stream services that you have stolen yourself, then it's just as illegal to stream services that you have paid someone else to steal for you. You can't get round the morality of it that way.

Quickenthetempo wrote: ↑

Mon Dec 14, 2020 11:23 pm

My mate who has had 3 or 4 different I pee tee vee suppliers, says emails have never been taken for any of them.

Your mate eh? Expect a knock

I'm surprised it's only 7000 in the whole of Lancashire.