A Merseyside man has been sentenced after making hundreds of thousands of pounds selling and supplying illegal television, sport and film streaming subscriptions.

Craig Austin, 38, of Keats Avenue, Whiston, had been offering illegal streaming services, which let customers watch paid-for TV, sport and films without paying the legitimate providers.

Austin sold subscriptions through social media and messaging channels, including services advertised under IPTV and Firestick streaming names. 

Financial enquiries identified hundreds of payments from £40 to £80 across several accounts linked to Austin, and investigators estimate he made more than £200,000 from illegal subscription sales between January 2020 and August 2025, with around 1,116 customers over that period.

As part of the investigation, a Sky UK anti-piracy team reviewed screenshots from the illegal services and confirmed they showed access to premium Sky content, including Sky Sports, football, tennis and golf, without authorisation.

Sky UK Ltd estimated it had lost £3,661,908 in subscription revenue because of the scam.  Warner Bros Discovery, which operates TNT Sports, estimated its losses at more than £830,000.

Senior Crown Prosecutor Andrew Blennerhassett of CPS Mersey-Cheshire said: “This was fraud, plain and simple. Austin was selling access to content he had no right to provide, taking money for subscriptions while avoiding the legitimate companies who invest in making and broadcasting that content. 

"Offending like this comes at a real cost to broadcasters, production companies, artists, presenters, crews and everyone involved in bringing television, sport and film to audiences. It also sells short the law-abiding customers who pay the full price for their subscriptions.

"The Crown Prosecution Service is determined that offenders will be brought to justice."

On 7 August 2025, officers from Merseyside Police executed a warrant at Austin’s home address and arrested him. Several items were seized, including Firesticks, which can be used with unauthorised apps or subscriptions to access paid-for content illegally.

During interview, Austin made a full admission and told officers he had stopped selling the illegal subscriptions in June 2025 after becoming concerned by reports of other people being prosecuted. He said he had become involved to make extra money.    

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) authorised Austin to be charged with three counts of making or supplying an article for use in fraud and one count of acquiring, using or possessing criminal property. 

On 22 July 2026 at Liverpool Magistrates Court, he pleaded guilty to all counts. On 19 August 2026 at Liverpool Crown Court, he was given a 32 month jail term, suspended for three years. He must complete 150 hours of unpaid work and complete 20 days of a rehabilitation activity.