A man who sold illegal IPTV devices online through the auction site eBay has received a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years.
Fuaad Al-Saegh used two separate accounts to sell the devices that retailed between £150 and £250.
Trading standards officers from Westminster City Council’s Trading Standards team purchased three of the devices that were examined by the anti-piracy organisation FACT.
The devices were found to allow the viewing of beIN Sports content without a legitimate subscription and a large number of films that were made available without permission of the rights holders.
A raid on Al-Saegh home found numerous devices. Investigating officers, working closely with eBay, established he had sold 628 devices for more than £82,000.
Councillor Heather Acton, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Communities, said: “This investigation into illegal IPTV devices was a first for our Trading Standards service and demonstrates the expertise of our officers.
“The proceeds of crimes such as this are often used by organised crime groups to fund more serious criminal activity, so I am pleased that our investigation, with assistance from FACT, resulted in a successful prosecution.”
FACT CEO Kieron Sharp added: “This is an important conviction for Westminster City Council’s Trading Standards team who took on this prosecution against an individual who defrauded the broadcast and film industries for his own gain.”
Al-Saegh’s conviction is the latest in a series of actions conducted by trading standards and FACT.
