IPTV Pirates Sentenced to 14 Years in Prison in Major Case

Three individuals were sentenced to a combined 14 years in prison for money laundering connected to a pirate IPTV service.

The case marks Brazil’s most significant criminal convictions related to IPTV streaming services.

The Pirate IPTV Operation and Arrests

The São Paulo Court handed down sentences on June 24 to three defendants involved in operating an illegal IPTV service through the MP 2.0 meuplayer.me app.

The service leader, identified as RMDS, received the harshest penalty with a five-year prison sentence.

RMDS operated the streaming service that was available on Android and Windows desktop platforms. Authorities discovered the operation during a search and seizure at his residence, where they also found firearms, ammunition, electronic devices, and other valuable items.

His sister TMDSB and their mutual friend GFL each received prison sentences as well. The investigation revealed that all three played key roles in laundering money from the illegal streaming operation between January 2017 and January 2021.

Money Laundering Scheme

The court found that more than 5,000 individual depositors sent over R$3.2 million (US$591,000) to bank accounts controlled by the group. RMDS used various online payment platforms and a hosting company called Top Host Soluções to hide the money’s source.

The operation included 99 bank transfers between RMDS and his sister between July 2017 and November 2020. TMDSB received over R$1 million through 7,300 transfers and cash deposits during this period, with around R$134,600 transferred back to RMDS.

RMDS spent lavishly with the illegal profits, purchasing a Porsche Cayenne GTS registered to his company, investing R$579,000 (US$107,000) in São Paulo property, and depositing R$300,000 (US$55,400) into pension funds.

Four-Year Investigation

The anti-piracy group Alianza Contra la Piratería Audiovisual led the investigation over four years. Their efforts included removing the MeuPlayer app from download sites like APKCombo and APKFun after it had been downloaded hundreds of thousands of times.

The defendants attempted to dismiss the case by claiming the court lacked jurisdiction and that evidence was obtained illegally. However, Judge Marcia Mayumi Okoda Oshiro ruled that money laundering stands as an independent crime regardless of direct links to underlying offenses.

This case falls under Brazil’s Operation 404, an anti-piracy initiative managed by the Ministry of Justice and Public Security. The program is known for coordinating with international law enforcement agencies to block illegal streaming apps and services.

Final Thoughts

This landmark case sends a clear message to illegal streaming operators worldwide.

With combined sentences totaling 14 years and substantial financial penalties, Brazilian authorities have shown they will pursue serious consequences for piracy-related crimes.

The case demonstrates that money laundering charges can be just as powerful as direct copyright infringement in prosecuting illegal streaming operations.

For more information on this story refer to the local story from DPL News and the report from TorrentFreak.

We want to know your thoughts. What do you think about this story? Let us know in the comment section below!

Be sure to stay up-to-date with the latest streaming news, reviews, tips, and more by following the TROYPOINT Advisor with updates weekly.