‘Dodgy firestick’ seller is caught after undercover cop joined Facebook group – as ringleader is jailed for two years
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A "DODGY firestick" seller has been caught after an undercover cop joined a Facebook group he was selling on. Sunny Kanda from Halifax unknowingly sold an illegally modified TV Firestick to an undercover investigator and has since been sentenced for two years.
![[When purchased legally, Fire TV Sticks can offer a range of premium content which usually requires paying a subscription]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/amazon-fire-stick-tv-remote-891049928.jpg?strip=all&w=960)
The 41-year-old from Sunny Kanda, of Creek View, Wheatley, sold gadgets which provided unauthorised access to premium content. Platforms available included Sky, BT Sport, Disney+ and Netflix. He offered the devices to a Facebook group of more than 3,900 members.
![[Sunny Kanda, of Creek View, Wheatley, in Halifax, was jailed for two years after selling devices which infringed copyright]](https://www.thesun.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/2022-court-heard-41-year-961664732.jpg?strip=all&w=463)
However, this all came to an end when an undercover investigator joined the page. After purchasing the Firestick, analysis on the device showed modifications that made premium content available. Using applications called The Vodfather XC and Plex, users could watch a selection of film, television and live sports content without a subscription.
After suspicions were raised, an investigation by National Trading Standards, local government and intellectual property organisation Fact started investigating Kanda. A court heard how Kanda pocketed £108,000 that should have been directed to legitimate providers in an 18-month period between 2020 and 2022.
Last year, Kanda pleaded guilty to three charges relating to fraud, copyright and concealing bank transfers linked to criminal activity. He was subsequently sentenced on Friday at York Crown Court and jailed for two years. A hearing set for May 7 will decide if financial orders should also be imposed.
