Nishan Silva, 32 from Hitchin, set up an illegal streaming service selling subscriptions for access to stolen content like live football matches and international broadcasters’ content, and operated the business for 19 months until he was arrested.

The trainee accountant set up a company selling customers access to live sports, films and TV through a cheap online subscription service via his website.

The investigation began after Sky reported Silva’s website to the police for illegally sharing their live sports games to people for a cheap price, compared with the usual Sky Sport subscription cost of £264 a year.

Now the trainee accountant has been jailed for three years at Inner London Court following an investigation by City of London Police.

The police discovered that one bank account linked to Silva’s website had £256,000 from selling subscription fees.

Bank records showed that £125,000 worth of cash had been withdrawn from the account, including £20,100 transferred directly to Silva’s personal bank account.

Before setting up the illegal streaming service, Silva, an accounting graduate, worked as a management accountant at machinery wholesaler, IMV Europe Ltd in Hitchen, and also spent time at global  PR agency Edelman. He had 10 years of accounting experience, and on LinkedIn, wrote that he had ‘a view to complete’ his accountancy exams by 2026.

A spokesperson from ACCA told Business & Accountancy Daily that Nishan Silva is a student, they said: 'It is ACCA’s standard procedure for criminal investigations/proceedings to take precedence over a disciplinary investigation into the same or connected conduct.  

'We uphold the highest ethical standards and all members and students are required to observe proper standards of professional conduct. In instances where they do not, we will investigate and, where appropriate, take disciplinary action. 

 'We cannot comment further at this time.'

Silva quit his accounting job to run the illegal streaming service for 19 months before being caught.

Hiding his identity, Silva used fake IDs to open bank accounts, two of which the police found were linked to the website and had been opened using fraudulently obtained IDs.

Detective constable Daryl Fryatt in the police intellectual property crime unit (PIPCU), City of London Police, said: ‘Silva was a highly intelligent accountant who abused both his expertise and trusted position to commit serious criminality.

‘This activity should serve as a reminder that PIPCU will pursue criminals who seek to profit from illegal streaming and disrupt their operations.

‘This is a crime that diverts funds away from the entertainment industries, money that supports thousands of technical and support staff. At the same time, it exposes end users to the risks of data theft, fraud, and malware.

‘We will continue to work with partners including Sky to ensure that this activity is disrupted and those involved are held to account.’

A report from Bournemouth University estimated that UK broadcasters lost £169m in revenue due to illegal streaming services in 2022.

Matt Hibbert, group director of anti-piracy at Sky said: ‘We’re grateful to the police intellectual property crime unit for pursuing this case. It demonstrates the seriousness with which the courts treat these crimes.’

Silva pleaded guilty to counts of acquiring or using criminal property, and infringing copyright, and was jailed for three years at Inner London Crown Court on 2 October.

The police will use the Proceeds of Crime Act powers to recover the stolen funds.

IMV Europe Ltd have been approached for comment.