British police have arrested four people in connection with a sophisticated illegal television streaming operation that investigators say generated more than ₹31 crore (£3 million) in unlawful revenue.
The City of London Police said coordinated raids across Greater Manchester and Lancashire last week led to the seizure of 10 high-capacity servers and advanced technical equipment valued at around ₹7.8 crore (£750,000). Officials described the infrastructure as part of an organised digital piracy network supplying illegal access to premium broadcast content.
Those arrested include a 40-year-old man from Blackpool, a 49-year-old man from Bolton, and two women aged 40 and 21, both from Bolton. All four were detained on suspicion of conspiracy to distribute copyright-infringing material and money laundering. They have since been released under investigation while inquiries continue.
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Police said one of the suspects is believed to have personally earned more than ₹31 crore through the illicit streaming service.
The investigation began after broadcaster Sky alerted authorities to suspicious activity, prompting a technical probe that traced server locations and financial trails linked to the operation.
During the raids, specialist teams shut down the servers powering the illegal platform, cutting off access for thousands of users believed to have been relying on pirated television feeds.
Detective Constable Jordan Day of the City of London Police said the case highlighted how piracy has evolved into a highly profitable form of organised crime.
“These services are not harmless alternatives,” Day said. “They are organised criminal operations generating millions in illegal profits. Protecting the integrity of broadcasting and the public who rely on it is critical. Those who profit from piracy will be held to account.”
Investigators said the seized servers were capable of distributing large volumes of pirated content, including premium sports and entertainment channels, through subscription-based illegal platforms promoted online and via social media.
Sky welcomed the enforcement action, saying it would continue working closely with law enforcement agencies to dismantle criminal networks behind piracy.
Matt Hibbert, Sky’s group director of anti-piracy, said the broadcaster takes content protection seriously given the scale of investment involved.
“We will continue to work with the police and industry partners to disrupt the criminal networks driving piracy,” he said.
Law enforcement sources said forensic teams are now analysing digital logs, customer databases and financial records recovered during the operation to map the full scale of the network. Further arrests have not been ruled out.
Illegal IPTV and streaming operations have emerged as a growing concern across the UK, with organised groups increasingly using encrypted platforms and offshore hosting to evade detection. Authorities say such networks are frequently linked to wider financial crimes, including fraud and money laundering.
Police also issued a warning to consumers, urging them to avoid illegal streaming services. Officials said users often unknowingly expose themselves to malware, data theft and financial scams while supporting organised criminal enterprises.
Senior officers said the case underlines the expanding reach of cyber-enabled crime and the need for closer cooperation between broadcasters, technology companies and law enforcement agencies.
As the investigation progresses, prosecutors are expected to review evidence for potential charges, while digital forensic examinations of the seized equipment continue.
About the author – Ayesha Aayat is a law student and contributor covering cybercrime, online frauds, and digital safety concerns. Her writing aims to raise awareness about evolving cyber threats and legal responses.
