Copyright standard
Police are warning Londoners using dodgy Amazon Fire sticks to illegally stream TV shows, films and sports the “false economy” could end up costing 15 times more due to scammers. Viewers pay on average £13.53 a month, or £162 a year, for dodgy set top boxes to watch the likes of Netflix, Amazon Prime, Sky, BT and Disney+. But four in ten viewers in the capital say instead of IPTV devices being cheaper, they have since been targeted by fraudsters. Most suffered average financial losses of £1,418 after their private information and bank details were stolen, and others even lost control over the home Wi-Fi. One in 10 lost more than £2,500, according to BeStreamWise - cross-industry anti-piracy initiative. The findings are stark when compared to the amount London’s illegal streamers estimate they might have saved by not paying for official subscriptions. Detective Chief Inspector Emma Warbey, of the City of London Police’s Intellectual Property Crime Unit, said: “Illegal streaming might look like a quick way to save money, but as this research shows, it’s a false economy that can end up costing people thousands. “This is a crime that diverts funds away from the entertainment industries - money that supports thousands of technical and support staff. “At the same time, it exposes end users to the risks of data theft, cybercrime and fraud. “This research is crucial for helping us understand those dangers and why initiatives like BeStreamWise matter. “They give the public the tools and knowledge to stay safe online and enjoy content legally and securely. “We will continue to work collaboratively to ensure that this activity is disrupted and those involved are held to account.” One customer called David, who asked not to be fully named, said: “I used to think I was just bending the rules a bit by streaming illegally. “But when my bank details were stolen twice and someone even tried to buy a speedboat in my name, it put everything into perspective. It’s not just your money at stake, you’re playing into the hands of real criminals. Once I understood that, I stopped immediately.” Rob Shapland, an ethical hacker with 16 years’ experience in cyber security, said: “It’s easy to assume that you’re saving money by accessing illegal streams, but the reality is that criminals use these as a way of stealing your personal details and passwords. “The primary goal of these criminals is to get access to your credit card details or bank account. “The moment you plug in a modified device to your TV, or download an illegal streaming app on your phone or tablet, you've done all the hard work for them.”
