Two years in jail for illegal TV Firestick seller

A man who sold illegally modified TV Firestick devices which infringed copyright laws has been jailed for two years.

Sunny Kanda, of Creek View, Wheatley, in Halifax, cheated legitimate providers out of more than £108,000 in an 18-month period between 2020 and 2022, a court heard.

The 41-year-old sold the illegal gadgets on Facebook, knowing they provided unauthorised access to premium content platforms like Sky, BT Sport, Disney+ and Netflix.

Kanda was sentenced at York Crown Court on Friday after pleading guilty in August to three charges relating to fraud, copyright and concealing bank transfers linked to criminal activity.

A hearing due to be held on 7 May will decide if financial orders may also be imposed on him.

Kanda's activities were discovered following an investigation by National Trading Standards, local government and intellectual property organisation Fact.

An undercover investigator joined Kanda's closed Facebook group, which had more than 3,900 members, and purchased a Firestick.

Subsequent analysis found the device had been modified to access premium film, television and live sports content without a subscription.

Following Kanda's sentencing, Kieron Sharp, CEO of Fact, said: "The outcome serves as both a consequence for those involved in these criminal activities, and as a strong warning to others considering similar action.

"Illegal streaming isn't a victimless crime. It weakens the creative industries, puts consumers at risk of data theft and often funds other serious crimes."

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