US seizes more than 1,000 internet domains DOJ says illegally streamed World Cup games

The Department of Justice recently completed Operation Offsides, an effort to shut down over 1,000 internet domains identified for illegally streaming World Cup games. Homeland Security Investigations led the operation, which spanned the duration of the tournament to protect intellectual property rights held by FIFA and authorized media partners.

Officials stated that these illicit platforms pose significant security risks to users. Beyond the theft of copyrighted content, operators of these websites often exploit visitors by deploying malware or harvesting sensitive payment information. The government urges fans to stick to official streaming partners to avoid these hazards.

International coordination played a key role in the success of this crackdown. Agents from Homeland Security Investigations collaborated with law enforcement agencies in Colombia and Europe to dismantle the networks responsible for the broadcasts. This included the arrest of four individuals in Colombia tied to a cybercrime gang involved in streaming pirated material and distributing counterfeit goods.

This action serves as a reminder of the consequences associated with unauthorized content distribution. The National Intellectual Property Rights Coordination Center continues to monitor for similar activities to ensure that copyrighted broadcasts reach audiences through secure channels. Law enforcement maintains that these efforts are necessary to curb the influence of criminal organizations that profit from intellectual property theft.