Ahead of Tyson Fury's highly anticipated heavyweight rematch against Oleksandr Usyk this Saturday, BeStreamWise issues a stark warning to viewers considering watching the fight via illegal streams: doing so could expose you to significant security risks.
As criminal networks increasingly control illegal streaming operations, viewers who turn to these streams can unwittingly put their personal information—and banking information—in the hands of fraudsters. In fact, research reveals that 1 in 3 (32%) individuals in the UK who stream illegally have been a victim of fraud, scam or identity theft as a result.
“Deciding to bypass the official channels to watch the long-awaited Fury vs. Usyk fighting this Saturday is not only risky – it's illegal and can put you in serious danger,” warned Kieron Sharp, CEO of BeStreamWise partner FACT.
“Illegal streaming puts consumers at risk of malware, financial theft and compromise of personal data, such as email, photos and browsing history. During high-viewing events, scammers target unsuspecting viewers.”
“BeStreamWise is dedicated to raising awareness of the significant dangers of illegal streaming, educating them about the facts and ensuring that consumers know where they can safely watch the content they love. Boxing fans should enjoy a fight offered by official service providers, rather than face the risks of being targeted by criminal operations.”
The warning follows the recent conviction of a Liverpool man who was jailed for three years after selling illegal streaming devices, and further crackdowns are planned against the criminal organizations that enable these services.