Companies are intensifying efforts to combat IPTV fraud, driven by a surge in piracy, particularly in France’s football broadcasting. Forward Global’s Leakid division employs open-source investigations to track down illegal content distributors, collaborating with major media entities. Despite facing challenges due to strong digital privacy measures, the team leverages social media and other resources to identify and shut down illicit services. The ongoing battle highlights the risks users face when engaging with unregulated streaming options.
The Hunt for IPTV Fraudsters
For several years, companies distributing paid content have been on the lookout for an elusive individual behind an IPTV service. The channel that raised the alarm has pinpointed the suspect, yet their whereabouts remain a mystery. To tackle this challenge, Forward Global, led by Alexis Pinon, was enlisted. This firm specializes in open-source investigations (Osint) but initially faced hurdles, as the target maintained “very strong digital hygiene.”
However, about a year ago, the team discovered a breakthrough: the Instagram account of the suspect’s partner, a yoga and Pilates instructor known for her numerous selfies. By analyzing these images, the experts were able to reconstruct the surrounding environment and pinpointed the suspect’s residence “deep in Asia.” “We dispatched an agent to the location to issue a summons; subsequently, the illegal service was shut down,” Alexis Pinon stated. Mission accomplished.
The Ongoing Battle Against Online Piracy
Welcome to the discreet realm of companies dedicated to tracing individuals who profit from the distribution of illegal online content. This issue has gained prominence in 2024, especially amidst the turmoil in French football, now being broadcast by DAZN and BeIN Sports. With new pricing deemed exorbitant, piracy has skyrocketed in France this year.
A recent survey revealed that 37% of participants who watched the championship did so through illegal means. While rights holders aim to denounce piracy, they tread carefully, not wanting to exacerbate the situation by drawing excessive attention to it.
At Forward Global, formerly known as the Avisa Partners group, the division tackling piracy is branded Leakid. According to data from Google’s transparency reports, this organization collaborates with notable entities like Canal+, France Télévision, and the Professional Football League.
Leakid’s efforts involve targeting dubious websites that claim to offer “the latest trends in IPTV streaming and tips to help users select the best options.” These sites often rely on advertising revenue. During a recent review, one such site prominently displayed ads for a well-known VPN service.
Once a problematic page is identified, Leakid submits requests for its removal from Google. They handle a staggering volume of these requests, reporting around 700 million suspicious URLs annually to the search engine. The team then attempts to reach out to site administrators, often through generic email addresses or contact forms. “The response rate is quite low, but some larger sites may choose to cooperate to continue their operations,” Julien Jacquemin notes.
Upon contacting the site administrator, the next step is to report the issue to the hosting provider, identified through tools like Whois, which reveals the site’s IP address. It’s essential to demonstrate that a violation has occurred and that the offending site is ignoring the requests. “Even with less cooperative hosts, we can achieve content removals within 24 to 48 hours,” Julien Jacquemin remarks. In France, this process is governed by the law for trust in the digital economy (LCEN) and the more recent Digital Service Act (DSA). However, these sensitive requests can sometimes spark controversy.
This method of addressing piracy has its limitations, particularly with devices that allow users to stream fraudulent content directly to their TVs. While it does help reduce advertising for these illegal services, the advertisements on popular commerce sites “are not always explicit,” Alexis Pinon acknowledges. Additionally, streams shared on platforms like Telegram can only be taken down with the respective platform’s cooperation.
As a result, more thorough investigations may be necessary to trace those responsible for these pirate services. These investigations utilize open-source resources, neighborhood inquiries, and code analysis to locate a developer’s signature. Initial leads may arise from accredited providers operating in stores that sell these services under the radar. “We also monitor social media platforms for site promotions,” adds Alexis Pinon. The flow of money from subscriptions, typically paid via PayPal, bank transfers, or prepaid cards, can also provide valuable insights.
Ultimately, the objective is to establish an identity and an address, allowing rights holders to initiate legal proceedings if needed. The approach varies based on the fraudster’s profile; a private individual supplementing their income through illicit sales can often be deterred with a mere legal threat. However, investigations can sometimes hit dead ends, particularly in areas lacking Google Street View imagery. In certain countries, broadcasting such streams may not even be regarded as illegal.
The costs involved in these investigations can range from a few thousand to tens of thousands of euros for the most complicated cases, often with no guarantees of success. These networks handle substantial amounts of money, presenting significant challenges for investigators. This is underscored by a recent Europol operation that led to seizures totaling 1.6 million euros in cryptocurrencies.
It is essential to consider these significant amounts alongside the evolving landscape of illicit offerings. “Eight years ago, the services available were not as user-friendly,” notes Alexis Pinon. “However, they have become more sophisticated, now offering interfaces akin to Netflix.” Despite occasional glitches, consumers are drawn in by prices that are significantly lower than those of legal services.
Nevertheless, engaging with such streams comes with risks for the end user, warns Vincent Helluy, a former member of Canal+’s anti-piracy unit now focused on combating illicit markets at Forward Global. Companies selling these illegal offerings are unregulated, making it precarious to share personal information, banking details, or grant them access to your device for streaming. Are you truly comfortable allowing a stranger from across the globe access to your computer? This concern is what broadcasters leverage to encourage a return to lawful viewing options.