In a major crackdown on illegal streaming, law enforcement authorities across Europe, supported by Europol and Eurojust, have successfully dismantled one of the largest illegal streaming networks operating both within and outside the EU.
The extensive operation targeted a network of 102 suspects involved in distributing movies, series, and more than 2,500 pirated television channels, including major sports broadcasters, to over 22 million users worldwide without the consent of copyright holders.
Key Achievements of the Operation:
- Identification of 102 suspects
- Arrest of 11 individuals
- Over 112 house searches conducted
- Seizure of at least 29 servers
- Shutdown of 100 domains
- Confiscation of 270 IPTV equipment/devices
- Identification of over 560 resellers
- Seizure of various drugs and weapons
- Confiscation of approximately EUR 1.6 million in cryptocurrency and EUR 40,000 in cash
In addition to copyright infringement, investigators have uncovered indications of further criminal activities, including money laundering and cybercrime, which are currently under investigation.
Europol has been instrumental in this international operation, coordinating efforts since its inception. The agency organized several virtual meetings and hosted an operational meeting at their headquarters in The Hague.
During the investigation, Europol provided crucial intelligence analysis, cross-match reports, and coordination of subsequent steps with Eurojust.On the action day, Europol experts were deployed with mobile offices to Croatia, Italy, and the United Kingdom to provide on-ground forensic support.
The operation saw collaboration between several European countries and agencies, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in combating organized crime.
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Participating Countries and Agencies
- Countries: Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Romania, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.
- Agencies: Europol, Eurojust, and the Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance (AAPA), with support from the @ON Network.
This unprecedented crackdown not only disrupts a significant illegal operation but also sends a strong message about the consequences of intellectual property crime and related offenses.
The ongoing investigations into associated money laundering and cybercrime aspects are expected to uncover further details about the network’s operations.
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