A man who profited from selling illegally modified TV Firestick devices that provided unauthorised access to premium subscription services has been jailed for two years.
Sunny Kanda, 41, of Creek View, Wheatley, was sentenced at York Crown Court on Friday, January 3, after admitting to fraud, copyright infringement, and concealing bank transfers linked to his criminal activity.
£108,000 Fraudulent Profits
Kanda sold the illegal devices via Facebook, allowing buyers to access premium content from platforms such as Sky, BT Sport, Disney+, and Netflix without paying legitimate subscription fees.
The court heard that his illicit business cheated content providers out of more than £108,000 over an 18-month period between 2020 and 2022.
Court Ruling and Future Proceedings
After pleading guilty in August, Kanda was handed a two-year prison sentence. A further financial hearing is scheduled for May 7, where the court will determine if additional financial recovery orders will be imposed against him.
Crackdown on Illegal Streaming Devices
Authorities have warned that illegally modified streaming devices are not only a breach of copyright laws but also pose cybersecurity risks to users.
A spokesperson for the prosecution said:
“This case serves as a strong warning to those involved in the sale of illicit streaming devices. Legitimate content providers suffer huge financial losses, and offenders will face serious legal consequences.”
Public Response
The conviction has been welcomed by copyright enforcement agencies and content providers, who continue to combat illegal streaming services that undermine the entertainment industry.
Authorities are urging anyone with information on pirated streaming services to report it to Crimestoppers or their local authorities.
