Europol Cracks Down on Massive Illegal IPTV Network, Arrests 11 Suspects

Europol and European law enforcement have dismantled one of the largest illegal IPTV streaming networks, arresting 11 individuals accused of distributing pirated TV content to over 22 million users.

The operation, led by Italian authorities, uncovered a network pirating over 2,500 channels, including premium sports content, and generating €250 million monthly. Raids across 10 countries seized 270 IPTV devices, 29 servers, and €1.7 million in cash and cryptocurrency.

Authorities estimate €10 billion in annual damages to legitimate platforms like Sky, DAZN, and Netflix. The suspects allegedly used encrypted apps and fake identities to avoid detection.

Described as Italy’s largest anti-piracy effort, the takedown highlights Europol’s growing focus on cybercrime, coinciding with Interpol’s Operation HAECHI, which recently targeted global online scams, resulting in over 5,500 arrests.