The mastermind behind one of Ecuador’s largest audiovisual piracy networks has been arrested by police in the province of Guayas, located in the southwest of the country. He is accused of the illegal distribution of streaming services, through which he charged thousands of people monthly fees for an illegal service that has now been dismantled. Evidence provided by LALIGA was instrumental in advancing the case.

The individual operated a network selling access to the illegal platform FlujoTV (formerly MagisTV), which continues to face criminal and civil lawsuits across Latin America for the fraudulent distribution of audiovisual content such as sports broadcasts, live streaming TV shows, and movies stolen from their rightful copyright owners.

The investigation began following a complaint filed by LALIGA, Spain’s professional football league, in conjunction with Latin America’s leading sports broadcaster, DIRECTV.

LALIGA President Javier Tebas praised the operation and emphasised the importance of the private sector, which invests in creating sports spectacles and generating jobs worldwide, working closely with government and judicial authorities in Ecuador and the rest of the region to combat the crime of audiovisual piracy.

“This operation has been a success. Dismantling illegal platforms like MagisTV and FlujoTV are significant milestones in protecting intellectual property rights and the hundreds of thousands of jobs the audiovisual industry generates throughout Latin America. We'll continue to work tirelessly to combat this crime. The arrest made in the Guayaquil municipality represents a major blow to the distribution of illegal content. However, we mustn't forget the other intermediaries and collaborators that allow piracy to persist. We will keep fighting to eradicate this scourge at all levels,” stated Javier Tebas.

Recently, a case brought by the Alliance Against Audiovisual Piracy (Alianza), which includes pay TV and streaming operators in the region, with strategic support from LALIGA led to the shutdown of Magis TV in Argentina, putting an end to the country’s largest audiovisual piracy network.

“Having the ability to block websites and applications is essential, but so is prosecuting those responsible for all illegal content distribution networks that steal from organisations and companies that drive economies and contribute enormously to society,” added Tebas.

Jorge Bacaloni, President of Alianza, added that these illegal networks put people who use illegal platforms at risk of fraud and theft of private data. “Over 58% of internet users in Ecuador access content illegally and are exposed to multiple cyber-attacks when they visit pirate websites to watch illegal ‘free football’ broadcasts,” he commented..

A report by Alianza indicates that pirated content is consumed in 1.6 million Ecuadorian households, predominantly involving the illegal streaming of football matches. This accounts for 58.6% of all homes with broadband internet access.

The Guayas Case

Sources from the General Directorate of Investigation of the National Cybercrime Unit stated that the detained individual was accused of the crime of “unauthorised access to a computer, telematic, or telecommunications system,” through which he illegally commercialised content.

After an extensive investigation, it was determined that the detainee distributed FlujoTV services nationwide through a website, making him responsible for offering, distributing, and commercialising an illegal streaming service that violates intellectual property rights.

The individual (initials JELC, 51 years old) used his personal accounts on instant messaging platforms and various social networks to receive payment for the offered content and monthly subscriptions, utilising bank accounts from different financial institutions.

Furthermore, the detainee fraudulently provided APK files, which contain the necessary configuration for installation on Android operating systems, TV boxes, smart TVs, among others, with the aim of granting access to protected content..

Investigators explained that these APK files allowed unauthorised viewing of audiovisual content offered and exclusively owned by companies like DIRECTV and LALIGA, which provide subscription-based satellite television and streaming services.