European authorities bust major illegal IPTV Network, arrest 11

European authorities, in collaboration with Europol and Eurojust, have dismantled one of the largest illegal IPTV networks operating across Europe and beyond. The operation targeted 102 individuals, 11 of whom were detained, for distributing pirated content, including films, TV shows, and over 2,500 television channels like sports broadcasters, to more than 22 million users worldwide without authorization. In addition to copyright violations, the investigation also uncovered possible links to money laundering and cybercrime, which are still being examined.

Key outcomes of the operation include:

• 102 suspects identified
• 11 arrests made
• More than 112 homes searched
• At least 29 servers confiscated
• 100 websites shut down
• 270 IPTV devices seized
• 560 resellers identified
• Various drugs and weapons seized
• Approximately EUR 1.6 million in cryptocurrency and EUR 40,000 in cash confiscated

Europol played a central role in supporting the investigation from the beginning, organizing virtual meetings and an operational session at its headquarters in The Hague. The agency analyzed intelligence, coordinated actions with Eurojust, and provided field experts to assist in the operation, with teams deployed in Croatia, Italy, and the UK for forensic support.

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