Irish dodgy box users hit with scams, say owners of devices
A recent survey conducted by Sapio Research for the anti-piracy organization BeStreamWise reveals that one in five Irish users of illegal streaming devices, commonly known as “dodgy boxes,” have fallen victim to fraud, scams, or identity theft as a result of their usage. These individuals reportedly suffer financial losses up to six times higher than those who do not engage in illegal streaming. Despite these risks, over 40% of dodgy box users continue to recommend these devices to friends and family. The survey, which polled 500 Irish adults in February, found that half of the respondents admitted to using such devices. Additionally, a Sunday Independent survey from the previous year indicated that approximately 20% of Irish households possess a dodgy box. While the use of these devices is illegal under Irish law, enforcement efforts have primarily targeted commercial distributors rather than individual users. Recent actions include serving legal notices to 13 individuals profiting from illegal streaming operations and the sentencing of a Kildare man to 16 months in prison for operating a dodgy box service that generated €900,000. Authorities continue to focus on disrupting the supply and distribution networks of illegal streaming services.
