An illegal streamer who set up his own channel to broadcast Premier League matches has been sentenced to three years and two months in prison. Michael Barrow, the operator of the illicit MB Streams service, pleaded guilty to three Fraud Act offences after showing top-flight football games and was sentenced at Swansea Crown Court.
Operation Details
Barrow's operation involved over 2,000 subscriptions with pre-loaded Firesticks, generating more than £200,000. He took extensive measures to avoid detection, including instructing regular customers to disguise bank transfers as payments for retro football kits.
Legal Consequences
This is one of the most significant sentences imposed on an illegal streaming operation. Barrow was jailed despite previous warnings from authorities. The prosecution was led by the Premier League, with support from FACT and the TARIAN Regional Organised Crime Unit’s Economic Crime Team in southern Wales.
Premier League Director of Legal – Enforcement, Stefan Sergot, stated: “This sentence once again highlights the severe consequences for individuals involved in supplying illegal streaming services. The decision to ignore clear warnings only compounded the seriousness of the offending, and this is reflected in the sentence handed down today.”
He added: “Illegal streaming is often linked to wider criminal activity and can expose fans to serious risks, including fraud, malware and identity theft. Tackling these services is therefore not only about protecting intellectual property, but also about helping to safeguard fans from harm.”
Kieron Sharp, Chairman of FACT, commented: “Barrow was given a clear warning to stop his illegal activity but instead chose to continue supplying devices and services that enabled people to access paid-for content unlawfully. This was a deliberate and sustained criminal operation.”
Sharp emphasised: “Illegal streaming is not a victimless crime. It damages the creative industries, undermines legitimate broadcasters, sports rights holders and service providers, and exposes users to serious risks, including fraud, malware and criminal exploitation.”
The Premier League continues to work with FACT and law enforcement to identify and prosecute illegal operators at all levels. This case sends a clear message that supplying modified devices or illegal IPTV services can lead to serious criminal consequences.
