Merseyside is one of the areas targeted in a new police operation aimed at cracking down in people who use ‘dodgy’ Amazon Fire TV Sticks for illegal streaming
15:09, 22 Apr 2026Updated 16:38, 22 Apr 2026
Some sport fans had been tempted by the criminal enterprise(Image: Justin Pumfrey via Getty Images)
Millions of households across the UK have been put on notice as police prepare a crackdown targeting users of “dodgy” Amazon Fire TV sticks that provide illegal streaming content.
In addition to the risk of having personal data stolen by criminal gangs operating these illicit streams, offenders could soon find officers on their doorstep.
A nationwide police operation, codenamed Operation Eider, will initially target properties in 17 regions across the country. Payments made to the criminals selling these Fire TV sticks are being traced to bank accounts across the UK, and anyone suspected of purchasing one of the devices could face arrest in the coming weeks.
Online bank Revolut has already been ordered by the Irish High Court to hand over the names and addresses of around 300 suspected illegal Fire TV stick users to Sky Group.
An officer involved in the operation, speaking anonymously to the Daily Mail, said: “We are relentless in our determination to stop illegal streaming and bring offenders to justice.”
Detective Chief Inspector Alethea Fowler, of the Tarian Regional Organised Crime Unit in South Wales, added: “Criminals rarely stop at just one income stream, and by purchasing illicit goods – such as an illegal streaming service fire stick – you are enabling further forms of criminality, often involving exploitation and harm.”
The hacked devices could give criminals access to your stored data(Image: Getty)
The 17 areas being targeted:
- London
- Cheshire
- Kent
- Sussex
- Norfolk
- Northamptonshire
- Lincolnshire
- Derbyshire
- Staffordshire
- East Midlands
- West Midlands
- Greater Manchester
- Merseyside
- Northumbria
- North Yorkshire
- Some addresses in Scotland
- Some addresses in Wales
Potential punishments
Those found in possession of an illegal Fire TV stick could receive a caution, though in certain circumstances offenders may face fines running into thousands of pounds or even imprisonment.
The operation is being carried out in partnership with Federation Against Copyright Theft. The organisation’s chairman, Kieron Sharp, said: “We have a wide range of enforcement options – from issuing cease and desist notices to ‘knock and talk’ visits – through to full criminal prosecutions where appropriate.
“We will take robust action against those involved – not only targeting sellers and distributors, but also those facilitating and profiting from the illegal activity.”
Matt Hibbert, group director of anti-piracy at TV for Sky, dismissed the idea that viewing pirated streams is a “harmless” activity, warning it carries serious risks including theft of bank details and other sensitive personal information.
“People who watch illegal streams should know that it isn’t a victimless crime,” he said. “Recent research by campaigner BeStreamWise suggests that nearly 65% of illegal streamers have faced security scares like malware through these unlawful methods.”
Amazon will be removing the loophole in future versions of the hardware(Image: Getty Images)
A police source added: “The virtual private network provided on the dodgy fire sticks to hide your illegal streaming habits can also be used by criminal networks.
“It includes software that creates an encrypted channel for internet traffic designed to protect online privacy and data. But users do not realise the criminals can also use your network channel for their own use – or to monitor your viewing habits. Your Fire TV stick could be supporting other criminal activity.”
Amazon has also confirmed that the “side loading” function which allowed such modifications is being removed from all its new devices, effectively bringing an end to the “dodgy stick” phenomenon.
