In a bold and coordinated strike, police forces across 10 countries have dismantled what is believed to be the worldโs largest piracy network, dealing a major blow to digital piracy. Dubbed Operation Takendown, the massive effort spanned the UK, Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, and Romania.
The network allegedly served pirated content to a staggering 22 million users across Europe, raking in over โฌ250 million in illegal revenue each month.
Law enforcement, supported by the Audiovisual Anti-Piracy Alliance (AAPA), made 11 arrests, seized โฌ1.65 million in cryptocurrency, and launched investigations into 102 additional suspects. The operation also confiscated 29 computer servers and hundreds of IPTV devices used to stream pirated movies, series, and TV channels. Additionally, approximately 100 websites and domains hosting illegal content were shut down.
โThis sophisticated criminal operation posed a massive challenge to our industry,โ said Mark Mulready, co-president of AAPA. โThrough close collaboration with law enforcement, we provided technical training and in-field support to help dismantle this global network.โ
The takedown was the culmination of a two-year Europol investigation involving the surveillance of social media platforms and illegal streaming forums. Beyond copyright violations, authorities uncovered evidence of money laundering and cybercrime, showcasing the broader criminal enterprise behind the piracy network.
The operation sends a clear warning to digital pirates. โThis is a powerful statement of our commitment to dismantling pirate networks across borders and holding their leaders accountable,โ said Matt Hibbert, anti-piracy group director at Sky.
Efforts like this not only disrupt illegal operations but also aim to protect consumers, who often face cybersecurity risks from these services. With Operation Takendown, authorities have made it clear: piracy wonโt be tolerated, and the fight against digital crime is far from over.
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