Brits are being advised to avoid 'dodgy' Fire TV sticks to evade severe legal repercussions. This warning follows the issuance of cease-and-desist orders to 30 suppliers of illegal streaming services by FACT in collaboration with the police.

FACT has explicitly stated that individuals involved in such services are at risk of prosecution should they not cease their illegal activities. Originally, Fire TV Sticks were created by Amazon for legitimate streaming of services like Prime Video and Netflix.

However, these devices are often tampered with by criminals who sell them to customers, either for a one-time fee or through subscription models, enabling users to access streaming services for free. Kieron Sharp, CEO of FACT, emphasized that utilizing these altered devices could lead to "serious consequences."

Sharp remarked, "Our cease-and-desist measures are not merely warnings; they are the initial steps towards holding offenders accountable. Many who have previously disregarded these notices are now facing arrests and criminal accusations. We strongly urge individuals involved in these activities to halt immediately."

He continued, "If you’re either supplying or using illicit streaming devices or illegal IPTV subscriptions, take this as a clear warning: you are violating the law and exposing yourself to serious risks. We will persist in our collaboration with the police to identify and dismantle these illicit operations."

"The police throughout the UK are unwavering in their efforts to combat this type of criminality, and we are grateful for their support. For those using illegal streaming services, understand that you are not only committing a crime, but also putting yourself in jeopardy."

"These services frequently expose users to malware, scams, and data theft, leaving no options for recourse when issues arise. The safest and smartest choice is to engage with legitimate providers for entertainment."

A two-week enforcement operation initiated by FACT aimed to eradicate piracy activities, concentrating on 15 major areas across the UK. During this operation, a 42-year-old man was arrested in Newport, suspected of participating in illegal IPTV operations and selling illicit Fire Sticks.

The targeted areas in this crackdown include:

• London
• Kent
• Sussex
• Norfolk
• Northamptonshire
• Lincolnshire
• Staffordshire
• East and West Midlands
• Greater Manchester
• Cheshire
• Merseyside
• Northumbria
• North Yorkshire