Premier League arms itself with crack teams as officials vow to HUNT DOWN streaming fraudsters

We’re coming to get you! The Premier League is arming with crack teams – including tech experts and digital forensics specialists – as top officials vow to REMOVE more streaming fraudsters in the UK

The Premier League has armed itself with crack teams of tech experts and digital forensic specialists as it ramps up its fight against piracy.

Following the largest-ever prosecution in which five illegal stream chefs were jailed for more than 30 years, top officials have vowed to hunt down more fraudsters in the UK and beyond.

They have deployed an anti-piracy enforcement team that has received heavy funding to identify and bring to justice those profiting from the sale of firesticks – devices that allow bettors to watch matches and transfer subscription fees to broadcast partners such as Sky and BT Sport .

Every game day, agents scour the internet for illegal streams. They then try to follow the digital footprint of those responsible together with external agencies.

The ultimate goal, in what has been described as “a fast-moving cat-and-mouse game,” is to formulate an “intelligence package,” which is then delivered to law enforcement agencies before they kick down doors.

The Premier League has armed itself with crack teams as it ramps up its fight against piracy

Experts estimate that around 4 million sporting events were illegally watched in the UK last year

Experts estimate that around 4 million sporting events were illegally watched in the UK last year

While experts estimate around 4 million sporting events were illegally watched in the UK last year, the Premier League says its work has resulted in match consumption falling steadily and is currently at its “lowest level ever” thanks to its high tech. extensive suppression.

Around 600,000 streams were blocked this season – almost double the 2019/20 campaign.

The competition also focuses on the Asia-Pacific region, with employees also working from an office in Singapore, which opened in 2019.

The crackdown comes amid the sentencing of the ringleaders of a staggering criminal operation at a court in Chesterfield, which was attended by Mail Sport.

Five fraudsters were imprisoned there after making millions from one of the UK’s largest illegal streaming services. They sold TV sticks to over 50,000.

Meanwhile, a Mail Sport report on Thursday reveals widespread use of the sticks across the country, including at a cricket club where the local EFL side are shown every time they are away from home.

It also details the story of a bus driver who finances a champagne lifestyle on the back of a side company that sells the illegal sticks.

Five men have been convicted after the Premier League launched a historic private prosecution to crack down on illegal piracy and match streaming

Five men have been convicted after the Premier League launched a historic private prosecution to crack down on illegal piracy and match streaming

Measures taken

Mark Gould – 11 years in prison, two counts of conspiracy to commit fraud and contempt of court

Steven Gordon – Five years nine months, two counts of conspiracy to defraud and contempt of court

Peter Jolley – Five years, two months – two counts of conspiracy to defraud and money laundering

Christopher Felvus – Three years, 11 months, two counts of conspiracy to defraud

William Brown – Four years, nine months, two counts of conspiracy to defraud

Zak Smith – warrant issued