Sunny Kanda, a 41-year-old from Halifax, was sentenced to two years in prison for selling illegally modified TV Firesticks that provided unauthorized access to premium content like Sky, BT Sport, Disney+, and Netflix.
Kanda sold the devices through a Facebook group with over 3,900 members. Analysis of one of the devices revealed modifications allowing users to watch films, TV shows, and live sports without subscriptions. Kanda earned £108,000 from this illegal activity between 2020 and 2022.
An investigation by National Trading Standards, local government, and the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) uncovered Kanda's illegal operations. He pleaded guilty to three charges related to fraud, copyright infringement, and concealing bank transfers. Kanda was sentenced at York Crown Court, and a hearing in May will determine if financial orders should be imposed.
FACT's CEO Kieron Sharp emphasized that illegal streaming harms the creative industries, exposes consumers to data theft, and often supports other crimes.
The National Trading Standards also warned that using pirated content through such devices undermines the entertainment industry and jeopardizes consumer security, urging people to report illegal activity.
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