Crackdown on Illegal Streaming Rings

In a major international crackdown, 29 individuals were arrested, and nine criminal networks dismantled, following a seven-month operation against illegal streaming services. The operation, named KRATOS 2, was coordinated by Bulgaria and supported by Europol, targeting groups involved in the unauthorized distribution of copyrighted content, including premium sports broadcasts and television channels.

The collaborative effort involved multiple law enforcement authorities from Europe and beyond. This extensive operation, running from September 2025 to April 2026, focused on dismantling the sophisticated technical infrastructure that enabled illegal IPTV services and unauthorized streaming platforms to operate across different jurisdictions. These criminal groups made millions by offering consumers cheap access to premium content, all the while exposing them to significant cybersecurity risks such as malware and data theft.

The operation led to the identification of 86 suspects and the execution of 148 house searches, with 59 cases referred to judicial authorities and 72 criminal investigations ongoing. Authorities also removed over 27,000 illegal streaming URLs and reported 169 domains. The operation was bolstered by significant cooperation from the private sector, which provided essential intelligence that helped pinpoint thousands of domains and IP addresses linked to piracy activities.

Europol played a crucial role in the operational coordination alongside Bulgaria’s General Directorate Combating Organised Crime. The agency facilitated the exchange of intelligence, coordinated cross-border cooperation, and provided operational and technical support to national authorities. This intensive collaboration and strategic approach allowed for a comprehensive crackdown on the digital piracy ecosystem, setting a precedent for future international operations against digital content piracy.