AS I sit and scroll through my phone, I’m being bombarded with shady adverts on Facebook offering dodgy devices with 80,000 premium channels and movies.
And it didn’t take long for Facebook crooks to reach out to me offering their illicit services – but this time, the criminals are going one terrifying step further.
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In the message, they not only offered “24,000 channels” including Sky Sports as well as movies and series in “HD quality” – they also offered to deliver to my address and install.
It might seem like great customer service, but it could put you at risk of “physical harm”, experts warned me, with unscrupulous characters turning up at your door.
Not only that, Brits in possession of an illegal Fire Stick could receive a £1,000 fine, while those caught selling Firesticks could face jail time.
Some dodgy dealers have already been locked up for operating criminal streaming sites as part of a global crackdown, but it’s the offer to come to your home address and help install the Fire Stick that’d worrying experts.
Kieron Sharp, chairman at the anti-piracy organisation FACT, told The Sun: “It’s alarming that criminals can openly advertise illegal streaming services and turn up at people’s homes to install them.
“Letting them in puts you at risk — not just physically, but digitally too.”
Fire Stick maker Amazon has faced criticism for not doing enough to tackle illegal streaming on its devices.
The gadget’s open tech is meant to give people more freedom to download apps outside Amazon’s own app store, but it’s also susceptible to abuse by illegal streaming operators.
An Amazon spokesperson said: “Piracy is illegal, and customers should not buy these devices.”
It’s become a major problem for broadcasters and sports bodies, estimated to cost them billions every year, and they’re increasingly frustrated about the lack of action from tech companies.
Matt Hibbert, Group Director Anti-Piracy at Sky, said firms want to see faster action from big tech platforms.
“We know they have the technology and the capability, now we need to see action,” he told The Sun.
‘I will deliver’
I was approached by an account on Facebook called “Firestick updating”, which randomly added me with an open profile and very clear intentions.
“SALE SALE SALE SALE SALE!!!” a post on their page unashamedly reads, alongside a photo of boxes and boxes of Fire Sticks.
Another image shows a rip-off of the Sky Glass interface.
It continues: “£60 for year subscription.
“£80 for loaded stick no shipping charges.”
Within minutes of accepting their friend request, I received a private message.
They bragged: “I’ve worldwide 24,000 channels with all sports channels 80,000 daily basis updated movies and series in HD quality.
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“You’ll have everything Netflix, Amazon Prime, Apple T,V Disney+, full Sky package all sports channels ppv events all Irish UK USA TV channels, movies and series on demand.
When I asked if it was traceable, they responded, “No mate, not at all”.
What shocked me even more was that the person offered to come to my house and install it there and then.
Although I didn’t share my address, just my rough location, I felt quite intimidated by the offer.
They wrote: “I will deliver it and set it up for you.”
Curiously, researching the matter on Facebook seemed to make Meta’s algorithm think I was interested in illegal streaming, and loads of very obvious ads started to appear.
While it may seem like a low-risk, high-reward crime, the proceeds are used to fund other serious forms of criminal activity
Detective Chief Inspector Emma Warbey
Illegal streaming operations usually have ties to gangs, and the money they get from it funds other serious forms of criminal activity.
So the idea of having a stranger who might have dodgy links turning up at my front door was quite scary, and more so considering vulnerable people who might allow them into their homes.
Jake Moore, from security firm ESET, said: “Devices sounding too good to be true and sold by someone you don’t know coming to your house should be the first alarm bell, but these devices have been known to ship with viruses and other dodgy programs onboard.”
STRANGER DANGER
The risks of illegal streaming to your online life can also be pretty devastating.
Fraud is the biggest consequence.
We’ve heard from users who chanced it and had their bank account instantly accessed.
A 46-year-old Brit – who has asked to remain anonymous – was referred to a cheap streaming site which gives users access to premium channels including Sky Sports.
But shortly after entering his bank details a surge of transactions were attempted on his account totalling several thousand pounds.
“A couple of friends had already done it and they had no issues,” he revealed to The Sun.
“It all seemed quite secure, so I didn’t even think at the time.
“After that, the payment was taken but there were all sorts of transactions on my bank account for quite a large amount of money which were on various times and various dates for different amounts.
“It’s scary really, they attempted thousands.”
Meta’s website says the company removes “millions of violating posts and accounts every day on Facebook and Instagram”, which can range from serious crime like terrorism, to sexual content not allowed on the platforms.
“Most of this happens automatically, with technology working behind the scenes to remove violating content – often before anyone sees it,” the company claims.
When reaching out to Meta about the influx of illegal streaming ads on my Facebook profile, the examples I showed were quickly taken down.
But many more blatantly illegal streaming services have simply replaced them, many featuring Meta’s new WhatsApp button so you can chat to sellers immediately.
Meta told The Sun that reviewing ads from millions of advertisers globally against its advertising standards is essential, but not without challenges.
These devices can expose your Wi-Fi network, steal personal data, spread scams, and infect your devices with malware and viruses. We urge consumers to think twice
Kieron Sharp
The company emphasised that it doesn’t allow fraudulent activity and works closely with law enforcement to support investigations and keep scammers off its platforms.
Detective Chief Inspector Emma Warbey, from the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) at City of London Police, told us: “Illegal streaming is a significant challenge for the industry and while it may seem like a low-risk, high-reward crime, the proceeds are used to fund other serious forms of criminal activity. At the same time, it can expose consumers to the risks of data theft, fraud and malware.
“The Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit works with partners across law enforcement and the industry to take action against these criminal operations by utilising our full suite of enforcement options, including pursuing criminal prosecutions and serving ‘cease and desist’ notices to offenders.”
While it might seem like a tempting offer, Brits be warned – criminals behind the computer screens are not just looking to infiltrate your digital life but your home life too.
WHAT’S AMAZON DOING ABOUT IT?
Amazon has previously been criticised by Sky for not doing enough to tackle piracy.
The tech giant told The Sun that bad actors are abusing and misusing the developer features that are part of the open-source operating system running on Fire TV devices.
Though manufactured by Amazon, these devices are jailbroken which not only violates the company’s policies on intellectual property rights, but also compromises the security of customers, it added.
A spokesperson said: “Piracy is illegal, and customers should not buy these devices. Individuals and criminal groups have been convicted in connection with the resale of devices preloaded with piracy-enabling apps, and we will continue to work with authorities and industry partners to stop these sales.”
Image credit: AP
