A Bangladeshi man has been arrested in New York on charges of running an illegal online streaming service, while authorities are searching for his brother, who is also accused in the case.
Noor Nabi Chowdhury, 56, was taken into custody on Tuesday and presented before the federal court in New York’s Western District. His brother, Mahmudur Rahman, 36, has been declared a fugitive.
According to U.S. Attorney Trini Ross, the two brothers allegedly operated an illegal IPTV and HD TV box service, allowing subscribers to access copyrighted live sports and TV shows for as little as $10 per month. Prosecutors claim they generated $7 million over seven years while causing significant financial losses to copyright holders, estimated at $100 million.
Authorities have also accused the pair of stealing customer data and using fraudulent means to process payments. Their websites and domain names have been seized as part of the investigation.
The indictment alleges that since March 2017, the brothers operated their business using “pirate offices” in London, Canada, and Dhaka, Bangladesh. If convicted, they each face up to 25 years in prison, including sentences for digital transmission violations, fraud, and repeated copyright infringement.
The FBI, along with field offices in New York, Buffalo, Ottawa, The Hague, and London, is continuing its investigation. Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General Brian Boynton stated that the defendants not only violated copyright laws but also defrauded financial institutions to sustain their operation.