Police have launched a fierce new crackdown on illegal Amazon Fire TV sticks across the UK. Eight fresh hotspots are now under surveillance as authorities step up their battle against dodgy streaming devices.
These so-called “fully loaded” Fire Sticks and ‘dodgy boxes’ are rigged with third-party software, letting users stream premium content — like TNT Sports, Sky Sports, and Disney+ — for free. But this isn’t just a cheeky hack; it’s a serious crime.
Action Zones and Operation Eider
The crackdown is part of Operation Eider, led by the Federation Against Copyright Theft (FACT). On November 14, 2025, authorities pinpointed 14 new cases, with 12 individuals hit with cease-and-desist orders. Two-faced direct knock-and-talk enforcement.
Meanwhile, 36-year-old Stephen Woodward was locked up for 3 years, having made a staggering £1.1 million from three illegal streaming sites over seven years. His brother, Christopher, pocketed £126,000 from the operation.
Woodward lavished the proceeds on designer clothes, flashy jewellery, holidays, and a £91,000 Jaguar F-Type V8 coupe. The cash was spread across 15 separate bank accounts.
Police Warn: Illegal Streaming Funds Organised Crime
Merseyside Police’s Detective Sergeant Adam Dagnall said:
“Merseyside Police takes illegal streaming seriously because it often helps fund organised crime and puts users at real risk.
“Not only is it a criminal offence, but the unauthorised streaming services frequently contain malware that can compromise personal devices and lead to the loss of information such as banking details, or be used to commit identity fraud.
“Legitimate providers have security measures that protect users from these threats. Please don’t be tempted by cheap so-called ‘fully loaded’ or ‘jailbroken’ devices, even as Christmas gifts – you could end up getting more than you bargained for.”
Police stress that buying dodgy Fire Sticks can expose users to malware and data theft, risking bank details and personal info falling into the wrong hands.
