DStv piracy kingpin nailed in South Africa raid

Multichoice announced the arrest of the alleged content piracy kingpin behind Waka TV.
The group said that it collaborated with Irdeto and the Cybercrime Unit from the Western Cape Provincial Commercial Crime Investigation Unit to identify the key suspect in a raid this past week.
“On the 31 May 2024, a meticulously planned raid was executed, leading to the arrest of a key suspect involved in one of the most extensive pirate operations in Africa, known as Waka TV,” it said.
“This operation represents a major milestone in our relentless commitment to protecting MultiChoice Group’s content and the integrity of our broadcasting services.”
The professional support from the Western Cape Cybercrime Unit led to the apprehending of the main operators behind Waka TV, it said.
The suspect, who is believed to have managed several pirate customers and resellers, was detained. MultiChoice said it is actively working with the police as investigations continue into the thousands of individuals connected to the Waka TV pirate network.
The mentioned pirate operation illegally distributed live TV channels, including several DStv channels, movies, and series.
“Resellers supporting the mentioned pirate operation are also under investigation. This collaborative effort aims to dismantle the entire network and bring all perpetrators to justice,” the group said.
The arrested suspect appeared before court on 3 June 2024 , facing charges of fraud and contravention of sections 2 to 8 of the Cybercrime Act 19 of 2020.
Additional charges are being considered in consultation with the Senior Public Prosecutor.
“The Cybercrime Unit will thoroughly analyze all the equipment seized during the raid. This comprehensive analysis is expected to provide additional insights into the extent of the pirate network, and more arrests are imminent,” it said.
Multichoice said that subscribers of illegal pirate services are also in the crosshairs.
“Subscribing to pirate services can expose individuals to significant legal risks. Users may face fines or legal action for accessing content illegally,” it warned.
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