A probe into illegal Sky TV streaming has resulted in two arrests and a customer list being seized.

Officers acting on warrants searched homes in Lanarkshire as well as Essex and Hertfordshire on Tuesday.

This was part of an investigation by the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) into a Telegram channel selling unauthorised access to Sky TV.

These are suspected to have been re-sold to thousands of end users, earning those involved more than £800,000. 

Specialist financial investigators also seized £17,000 in cash, custom streaming devices and several digital devices which were sent for further examination. 

Two men, aged 33 and 35, have been arrested on suspicion of alleged fraud, money laundering, and intellectual property offences. 

Both were taken into custody for further questioning and later bailed, with officers continuing to investigate the alleged incidents.

Detective Inspector Steve Payne, from ERSOU, said: “Yesterday’s arrests form part of an investigation into a sophisticated large-scale criminal operation which has generated significant sums of money through the illicit sale of TV subscription packages. 

“We know from experience that the money generated through illegal means such as this often goes on to fund wider organised criminality, which is why it’s key to apprehend those involved. 

“We have also gained access to the details of those purchasing the streams, and I would remind anyone doing so that they will be breaking the law and could ultimately be subject to criminal proceedings.” 

Matt Hibbert, director of Anti-Piracy, UK and ROI, at Sky, added: “We’re grateful to ERSOU and to the forces involved for taking this action, which will have a significant impact on the illicit sale of Sky TV.

"We’ll continue to support efforts to shut down the organised networks involved in the large-scale theft of our content and to protect consumers from the risks involved in accessing content in this way.

"Anyone concerned about those risks can visit BeStreamWise.com for more information.”