MultiChoice nabs another alleged Waka piracy TV reseller in Worcester

by Thinus Ferreira

Irdeto, MultiChoice's security company - together with the Western Cape Provincial Commercial Crime Investigation Unit - have raided and arrested another alleged Waka piracy TV reseller in Worcester.

MultiChoice nabbed a man suspected of allegedly selling smart TV boxes, pre-installed with applications that give unauthorised access to DStv content. 

The police confiscated a Huawei P20 mobile phone, a USB, as well as 12 Smart TV boxes. The man is allegedly a Waka TV reseller.

"Our collaborative approach with law enforcement agencies across the continent is yielding positive results in our ongoing fight against piracy," says Frikkie Jonker, Irdeto broadcasting cybersecurity and anti-piracy director.

"We are not holding back, and we will ensure that we do everything possible to stop piracy and protect intellectual rights of content creators in Africa."

ALSO READ: Pirate Waka TV wacked with another arrest as MultiChoice promises 'more raids on illegal resellers'.

Pirate Waka TV wacked with another arrest as MultiChoice promises 'more raids on illegal resellers'.

by Thinus Ferreira

Another alleged pirate involved with the illegal streaming service Waka TV was arrested on Friday as part of a nationwide crackdown on internet streaming piracy in South Africa by the police and MultiChoice's anti-piracy department.

The person arrested on Friday in connection with the broader Waka TV piracy network, allegedly provided an illegal internet streaming device giving unauthorised access to SuperSport content.

In June MultiChoice and the police did a sting of the illegal Waka TV piracy network that the pay-TV operator said led "to the arrest "of a key suspect involved in one of the most extensive pirate operations in Africa".

Friday's suspect was arrested in Germiston on charges of theft, fraud, money laundering, and violations of South Africa's Cyber Crime Act 19 of 2021.

MultiChoice says the suspect has been identified as an alleged reseller connected to Waka TV, "one of the most notorious piracy rings currently operating across Africa".

"During the operation, the authorities seized various items, including an alleged illicit streaming device, banners advertising unauthorised sales of DStv Premium content, and a mobile phone containing the contact details of several individuals who allegedly paid for the illegal service."

The police also uncovered detailed financial records linking the suspect to another high-profile target. Investigators have now broadened the scope of the investigation, with authorities expecting further arrests related to this network."

The suspect has appeared in court with a bail hearing set for 16 September.

Frikkie Jonker, the director of broadcasting cybersecurity and anti-piracy at the MultiChoice-owned Irdeto, says more raids on resellers and outlets linked to Waka TV are imminent "as law enforcement intensifies efforts to dismantle the sprawling piracy operation".

"Friday's arrest marks another significant step in our ongoing battle against digital piracy in South Africa. We are actively tracking additional targets connected to Waka TV, and the message is clear: Those participating in this illegal network will be brought to justice," Jonker said.

MultiChoice stings Waka TV, investigating 'thousands of individuals' connected to one of Africa's most extensive pirate streaming operations.

by Thinus Ferreira

Following a "meticulously planned raid" on 31 May as part of a sting operation with Western Cape police investigators, MultiChoice and its IT-security subsidiary Irdeto are busy fishing out "thousands of individuals"connected to the Waka TV pirate internet streaming service described as one of the most extensive in Africa.

MultiChoice calls the Waka TV sting operation in South Africa "a significant victory in the fight against internet streaming piracy", noting that Friday's raid netted and led to the arrest "of a key suspect involved in one of the most extensive pirate operations in Africa".

The suspected TV streaming pirate appeared in court on Monday and has been charged with both fraud and of contravening sections 2 to 8 of South Africa's Cybercrimes Act. MultiChoice says more arrests will take place very soon.

"This operation represents a major milestone in our relentless commitment to protecting MultiChoice Group's content and the integrity of our broadcasting services," the Randburg-based pay-TV provider says.

"The suspect, who is believed to have managed several pirate customers and resellers, was detained with Waka TV that illegally distributed live TV channels - including several DStv channels, movies and series. The disruption caused by this raid is a significant blow to the illegal streaming industry in Africa."

"MultiChoice is working actively with the police as investigations continue into the thousands of individuals connected to the Waka TV pirate network. Resellers supporting the pirate operation are also under investigation. This collaborative effort aims to dismantle the entire network and bring all perpetrators to justice."

According to MultiChoice, the police's Cybercrime Unit will analyse all equipment seized during Friday's raid with "The comprehensive analysis expected to provide additional insights into the extent of the pirate network, and more arrests are imminent".

"MultiChoice would like to extend our deepest gratitude to the Cybercrime Unit and the Western Cape provincial commercial crime investigation unit for their outstanding support and professionalism throughout this operation. Their efforts have been crucial in achieving this significant breakthrough".