Kuwait raids lead to arrests for content piracy

Three men have been arrested after equipment alleged to be part of an illegal cable TV network was discovered during raids in Salmiya by Kuwait’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID).

Detectives found dozens of illegal Dish TV India satellite set-top boxes (STBs) and pirated OSN hardware that were allegedly being used to illegally distribute content to 10,000 people over a 15 kilometre area, according to a statement from Middle East pay-TV operator OSN.

The raids followed a six-month police investigation, prompted by a complaint to the Kuwait Ministry of Interior, CID and Ministry of Communications from OSN’s content protection team.

OSN chief legal officer, Sophie Moloney, said: “I congratulate the Kuwaiti authorities for this successful operation against content piracy. We are very grateful they have put a stop to this huge illegal cable network, that was costing us millions of dollars in lost revenue.”

Kuwait CID estimates those operating the illegal network were earning approximately KWD70,000 (US$235,000) per month from the clandestine operation.

The arrested men now face charges of money laundering and misuse of Kuwait’s telecommunications infrastructure.

As part of its concerted efforts against content theft, OSN is urging members of the public not to be duped by illegal operators and to support the fight against content piracy.