Authorities crack down on illegal IPTV boxes after a man who sold them is finally jailed for four-and-a-half years - after he went on the run when convicted over £350,000 scheme

  • Michael Hornung, 40, was reportedly set to be sentenced in 2022 but fled the UK
  • From Manchester, he is said to have been given a four-and-a-half year sentence 
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By Lewis Browning

Published: | Updated:

A man who went on the run from UK officials after selling thousands of illegal IPTV boxes has been jailed, according to reports.

According to copyright protection group FACT, Michael Hornung, 40, had fled the UK having originally been set to receive his sentencing in 2022, and was living in northern Cyprus to evade extradition.

Hornung, who is from Greater Manchester, has been sentenced to four-and-a-half years in prison for running a scheme that allowed access to premium Sky and BT channels.


He is said to have pocketed an estimated £350,000 from the scheme, an investigation is thought to have started over a decade ago.

It is reported that he sold around 2,700 boxes, with broadcasters and right holders losing £2million in revenue due to his actions.

A man who fled the UK after reportedly pocketing £350,000 from selling illegal TV boxes is thought to have been jailed

A man who fled the UK after reportedly pocketing £350,000 from selling illegal TV boxes is thought to have been jailed

It is estimated that Michael Hornung, 40, cost broadcasters £2million with the three-year scheme

It is estimated that Michael Hornung, 40, cost broadcasters £2million with the three-year scheme

It is reported that he sold around 2,700 boxes before fleeing to northern Cyprus to avoid being extradited to the UK

It is reported that he sold around 2,700 boxes before fleeing to northern Cyprus to avoid being extradited to the UK

The project is thought to have been named 'NoHatsNoTrainers', ran between 2014 and 2017 and trading on online platform CS World.

'Hornung thought fleeing overseas would mean he would never have to face his crimes,' Tom Dowdall, Deputy Director International from the National Crime Agency (NCA), said.

'However, the NCA's international network regularly shares intelligence and works closely with overseas partners to apprehend those on the run.

'After liaison with law enforcement officers in Cyprus, Hornung has been returned to the UK to serve his sentence.'

IPTV boxes are legal, but become illegal when they are modified to include the broadcast of premium subscription content.

The news of Hornung's arrest, thought to have been on June 2, is the latest conviction related to accessing the content illegally, with authorities also looking to crack down on the use of illegal firesticks.

The news of Hornung's arrest is the latest conviction related to accessing the content illegally

The news of Hornung's arrest is the latest conviction related to accessing the content illegally

'Hornung's criminal business provided customers the means to access premium TV without compensating broadcasters or those with intellectual property rights,' FACT CEO, Kieron Sharp, said.

'This conviction underscores our commitment to tackling fraud and piracy at all levels and ensuring that those responsible are held accountable.

'The extradition of Michael Hornung serves as a reminder that no one is beyond the reach of the law.

'FACT will be relentless in our pursuit of individuals who profit from illegal activities, regardless of where they seek refuge.'

Sky