#e4mExclusive:  ₹8 cr illegal IPTV racket busted; platform offered Pak, global channels at throwaway rates

An illegal IPTV network with an estimated turnover of nearly ₹8 crore has been busted by the Cyber Crime Police in Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh, exposing a growing nexus of unauthorised streaming platforms offering cheap access to global — including Pakistan — television content.

The police have registered an FIR against unidentified persons and arrested one accused, Padamsingh Chandwar (35), a resident of Nagla in Firozabad, in connection with the operation. The action was initiated by Anti-piracy team of JioStar India Private Limited.  

Low-cost access to global, Pakistan content

Investigators say the racket operated through IPTV services branded as “BOS IPTV” and linked to platforms such as BOSTV, which marketed itself as a low-cost gateway to more than 10,000 live TV channels and 30,000 video-on-demand titles across 125 countries, including Pakistan.

According to the police, the platform offered subscriptions starting at just ₹400 for three months and ₹1,200 annually — significantly undercutting legitimate OTT and DTH services — raising immediate red flags among industry experts.

Complaint by rights holder

The FIR was filed following a complaint by JioStar India Private Limited, which operates JioHotstar and holds exclusive digital and broadcast rights to several premium sporting events.

According to the complaint, the accused were distributing copyrighted television channels and OTT content without authorisation, including live sports broadcasts, via Android apps and APK files. Users were granted access upon payment through UPI.

Payment trail and digital footprint uncovered

Authorities traced multiple mobile numbers, UPI IDs and domains linked to the operation. Payments of around ₹400 per user were collected in exchange for login credentials to access pirated streams.

Investigators used open-source intelligence (OSINT), website analysis and network traffic inspection tools such as Charles Proxy to gather digital evidence.

Domain registration details indicate links to overseas service providers, while hosting infrastructure was routed through global content delivery networks, complicating enforcement.

Organised reseller network

The probe revealed that the operation followed a structured reseller-driven model, commonly seen in illegal IPTV ecosystems. Bulk credit packages — ranging from ₹5,000 to ₹35,000 — were offered to resellers, who could then activate subscriptions, issue trial accounts and manage users via M3U playlists and Xtream codes.

Officials said the backend system enabled large-scale distribution of pirated content through remote servers, while front-end applications functioned as streaming players.

Legal action and wider crackdown

The case has been registered under provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the Information Technology Act and the Copyright Act. Authorities have sought blocking of associated domains, freezing of bank and UPI accounts, and seizure of devices used in the operation.

The investigation, led by Inspector Tejveer Singh, is ongoing, with officials indicating that more arrests are likely as the network’s scale is uncovered.

Rising piracy challenge

The bust highlights the growing challenge of illegal IPTV networks in India’s fast-expanding OTT and sports broadcasting market. Platforms offering international feeds, including Pakistan-based channels, continue to attract users through ultra-low pricing, despite legal risks.

Industry experts warn that both users and resellers may face legal consequences if found accessing or distributing unauthorised content, even as authorities step up efforts to curb digital piracy.