Spanish police have dismantled an illegal streaming service , called TVMucho , which began operating in 2015 and has generated over $5.7 million for its operators.
The investigation into the illegal content began in November 2022, following a complaint filed by the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE). The complaint cited two websites for copyright infringement. These sites hosted the illegal IPTV service “TVMucho”, also known as “Teeveeing”. is said to have had over 4 million visits in 2023.
See also: Authorities seize 50,000 Bitcoin from operator of old pirate site movie2k
During the investigation, police discovered that the owners of these sites were hiding behind an illegal IPTV business, which provided illegal access to 130 international TV channels and thousands of movies and series, to approximately 14,000 subscribers.
“ This international criminal organization used the latest technology and the most advanced technical devices to receive signals transmitted via satellite in many countries ,” the police statement said . “ They later amplified and decrypted the media content they transmitted and then distributed it publicly and illegally .”
Subscribers to the service paid between $11 and $20.50 per month or $97 to $182.50 per year, depending on the subscription they chose. Through these subscriptions, the operators of the illegal streaming service managed to earn $5.7 million.
Spanish police carried out searches in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Madrid, Oviedo and Malaga and arrested eight people believed to be linked to the IPTV. However, it is believed that these were ordinary employees, subordinate to the ringleader, who is believed to be a Dutch national.
See also: Visits to pirate sites have increased significantly in recent years
Police seized computers and hardware, as well as $86,400 from bank accounts. They also shut down servers supporting 16 illegal streaming sites.
Visitors to illegal websites are now automatically redirected to the Spanish police website, where they can see a seizure notice.
Users with active subscriptions are losing their money. However, that may not be their main concern right now. The police have access to servers that hold subscriber. This could potentially lead to fines due to their decision to purchase access to an illegal streaming service.
While Spanish authorities are taking steps to combat piracy, it is a complex issue that requires cooperation from all parties involved. Consumers must understand the consequences of their actions and choose to support legal means of content distribution. Creators and companies must also continue to innovate and adapt in order to make their content easily accessible through legal channels. Only through a collective effort can we effectively combat piracy and protect the integrity of intellectual property.
See also: Microsoft Office: Pirated versions distribute malware
Remember, piracy is not a victimless crime and we can all help stop it. Piracy undermines the hard work of artists, creators and companies that provide quality content. As viewers, we have a responsibility to make ethical choices about how we view media and help create a more just and sustainable world for all.
🔒 Protect your privacy with Proton VPN
Swiss VPN from the creators of Proton Mail — strict no-logs policy, strong encryption, and built-in NetShield that blocks ads, trackers, & malware.
- ✔ No-logs, based in Switzerland (except 14-Eyes)
- ✔ NetShield: blocks ads, trackers & malicious domains
- ✔ Covers all devices — free version available
The link is an affiliate link — SecNews may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. It does not affect the independence of our article writing.
Source: www.bleepingcomputer.com
