By: Engineer Bakht Said Yousafzai – Pen of Truth (engr.bakht@gmail.com)
(Bradford, England)
A former accountant has been sentenced to three years in prison for running an illegal streaming service that gave hundreds of users cheap access to premium TV channels and on-demand content. Nishan Silva, 34, of Hitchin, was convicted for managing and facilitating the illicit IPTV platforms known as Andy UTV and Ultimate TV Service.
Silva, who previously worked in the financial sector, pleaded guilty to distributing copyright-infringing material and two counts of acquiring or using criminal property. His sentencing at Inner London Crown Court on Thursday, 2 October, marks the end of a high-profile case highlighting the growing battle against online content piracy in the UK.
The investigation began after Sky, the broadcaster whose channels were being illegally shared, referred concerns to police. Officers discovered that Silva’s service had amassed around 2,600 subscribers, each paying a fraction of the normal subscription cost. Customers had access to live sports, international channels, and a wide range of premium content—without paying the legitimate providers. Transactions were conducted through online payment systems, with Silva reportedly using fake identities to conceal the source and destination of funds.
Financial investigators revealed the scale of Silva’s operation. One account linked to the service received over £256,000, of which more than £125,000 was withdrawn. £20,100 went directly to Silva, while the remainder was used to maintain the servers and keep the service running. Authorities also discovered two additional bank accounts connected to the scheme, both opened with fraudulently obtained identity documents.
Prosecutors emphasized the serious nature of Silva’s crimes. Beyond copyright infringement, the case involved sophisticated financial deception, including laundering criminally obtained funds. The court noted that Silva’s actions not only harmed broadcasters like Sky but also undermined the entire entertainment industry, which relies on legal subscriptions to fund programming and services.
“This case sends a clear warning to anyone thinking of profiting from illegal streaming,” said the judge during sentencing. “You cannot hide behind technology or anonymity when committing financial and copyright crimes of this nature.”
The case also illustrates the increasingly collaborative approach between broadcasters and law enforcement. Sky’s early referral allowed authorities to identify and dismantle the illegal service, protecting legitimate content providers and subscribers. Investigators continue to emphasize the risks of participating in or facilitating illegal streaming operations, both financially and legally.
Silva’s conviction is expected to have further ramifications. Authorities are pursuing action under the Proceeds of Crime Act to recover the money he earned through his illicit activities. This serves as a stark reminder that online crime carries not only custodial sentences but also severe financial consequences.
Illegal IPTV services, like the one Silva ran, exploit the growing demand for streaming content, often targeting sports fans and international viewers with cheap but unauthorized access. These operations, while appearing low-risk, can involve extensive criminal planning, identity fraud, and financial deception. Silva’s case demonstrates that the courts are taking such crimes seriously, and law enforcement agencies are equipped to trace and prosecute offenders, no matter how sophisticated the operation.
As streaming becomes central to entertainment worldwide, Silva’s imprisonment reinforces the message that intellectual property theft will not be tolerated. It also highlights the vital role of broadcasters in safeguarding content, working closely with police to protect the public and the industry from criminal exploitation.
The three-year prison sentence for Nishan Silva is a significant victory in the ongoing fight against illegal streaming, emphasizing that technology cannot shield criminals from justice and that the legal consequences of digital piracy remain severe.
