Trading Standards officers in Westminster have seized dozens of "dangerous" illegal TV streaming devices.

A 53-year-old man was arrested following a raid earlier this month.

He is being investigated for criminal charges under the Fraud Act and the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act.

The sting, on July 12, was part of a wider operation involving the National Crime Agency, the Government Agency Intelligence Network (GAIN) and FACT.

More than 40 illegal streaming devices were seized.

Trading Standards found the digital boxes to lack UK electrical safety measures.

The operation also discovered the devices, which were being sold online for under £100, were being advertising the ability to watch copyright material for free.

Councillor Antonia Cox, cabinet member for public protection and licensing, said: “Stopping this individual may prevent the distribution of hundreds of these potentially dangerous devices across Westminster and the rest of the country.

"This Westminster Trading Standards led operation would not have been possible without the cooperation of fact and gain, and we will continue to work together to stamp out online piracy in the city.

"These illegal media players may look harmless but they operate outside all the regular safety checks, and could pose a risk of electrocution or fire.

"By buying these gadgets you may be cheating actors out of their earnings, and even worse you could cause an electrical fire in your own home.”

Kieron Sharp CEO of FACT, a UK intellectual property protection organisation, added: “This arrest is another step forward in disrupting the sale of illegal streaming devices.

"You may think there is nothing wrong with having one of these devices and streaming premium pay-for channels for free, such as live sports, however this is illegal and you are breaking the law.

"Don't be fooled by devices that offer you the latest Hollywood films and premium pay-for-view sports for no charge.

"If you want to watch this kind of content we strongly advise you go directly to the official provider to ensure you don’t fall foul of the law.”

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