Man jailed for selling Firesticks as strong warning sent over illegal streaming

A man who sold illegally modified Firesticks has been jailed as a strong warning has been sent.

The increase in the use of Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) technology in recent years has led to a rise in illegal streaming in the UK.

The Premier League has issued repeated warnings to fans to not watch games through such streams.

Now, a man from Halifax has been jailed for two years for selling modified Firestick devices which infringed copyright laws.

Sunny Kanda cheated legitimate providers out of more than £108,000 in an 18-month period between 2020 and 2022, a court heard.

Kanda, 41, sold modified Firesticks on Facebook, knowing they provided unauthorised access to premium content platforms like Sky Sports and TNT Sports.

He was sentenced at York Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty in August to three charges relating to fraud, copyright and concealing bank transfers linked to criminal activity.

A hearing, which will take place on May 7, will decide if financial orders may also be imposed on him.

A man has been jailed for selling illegally modified Firestick devices. Image: Getty

National Trading Standards, Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT) and local government discovered Kanda's illegal activities following a thorough investigation.

An undercover investigator joined Kanda's closed Facebook group and purchased a Firestick.

The gadget had been modified to access live sports, among other content, without a subscription following analysis.

FACT CEO Kieron Sharp issued a strong warning to those who sell illegal Firesticks.

"The outcome serves as both a consequence for those involved in these criminal activities, and as a strong warning to others considering similar action," he said.

"Illegal streaming isn't a victimless crime. It weakens the creative industries, puts consumers at risk of data theft and often funds other serious crimes."