File Photo: Streameast, world’s largest illegal sports streaming network. AP
The United States-based Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment (ACE) said the shutdown was made in collaboration with Egyptian authorities.
On 25 August, Egypt’s Ministry of Interior announced that its General Administration for Works of Art and Intellectual Property Rights Protection, under the Specialised Police Sector, uncovered two individuals residing in Giza who had established and managed 705 unlicensed websites and servers.
The Ministry of Interior stated that the two individuals had used these platforms to illegally broadcast pirated content from various film production companies and media organisations.
Egyptian Authorities seized three laptops and two mobile phones containing digital evidence confirming illegal activities. Investigators also found active e-wallets connected to the confiscated devices, containing funds from the proceeds of their crimes.
Upon questioning, the suspects admitted to engaging in the piracy operations. Legal measures have been taken against them.
According to the New York Times’ Athletic sport website, the two men were arrested on 24 August in El-Sheikh Zaid, Giza Governorate — around 20 miles west of Cairo — on suspicion of large-scale copyright infringement and have since been detained.
Investigators also confiscated cash and multiple credit cards, while uncovering links to a shell company in the UAE reportedly used to launder advertising revenue amounting to £4.9 million ($6.2 million) since 2010. They also confiscated £150,000 ($200,000) in cryptocurrency. Additionally, the investigation led to tracing several real estate properties in Egypt, which the two culprits are believed to have purchased with illicit proceeds.
With its 80 associated domains, Streameast was the largest illicit live sports streaming operation in the world, ACE said.
“Today, ACE scored a resounding victory in its fight to detect, deter, and dismantle criminal perpetrators of digital piracy: by taking down the largest illegal live sports platform anywhere,” ACE chairman Charles Rivkin said in the announcement.
“With this landmark action, we have put more points on the board for sports leagues, entertainment companies, and fans worldwide,” added Rivkin, who is also chairman and CEO of the Motion Picture Association.
Streameast offered users unauthorised access to matches across Europe’s top soccer leagues.
Soccer piracy has skyrocketed over the last two decades, with leagues selling their matches to high-priced pay-per-view and streaming services. Many leagues sell to more than one broadcaster — requiring fans to pay for multiple subscriptions.
“Dismantling Streameast is a major victory for everyone who invests in and relies on the live sports ecosystem,” said Ed McCarthy, chief operating officer of the DAZN streaming group. “This criminal operation was siphoning value from sports at every level and putting fans across the world at risk. We commend the Egyptian authorities and ACE for their action.”
In addition to soccer, Streameast provided access to piracy sites for American sports such as the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL.
Site traffic to the various domains originated primarily from the US, Canada, the UK, the Philippines, and Germany, ACE said.
All Streameast sites now redirect to the ACE “Watch Legally” page.
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