Major operation in Argentina hits the illegal TV Boxes market and a large piracy network

Argentine justice authorities carried out a high-impact operation against a structure dedicated to the importation, distribution, and mass sale of modified TV Boxes, loaded with illegal applications used to gain unauthorized access to premium signals, sporting events, movies, series, and streaming platform content through pirate apps such as Magis TV or XuperTV, among others.

The investigation, led by the San Isidro Cybercrime Prosecutor's Office and the No. 4 Court of Guarantees, in collaboration with LALIGA, resulted in the seizure of nearly 10,000 devices and the identification of eight suspects, accused of being responsible for supplying the local market by bringing in material directly from China and Paraguay, the two priority markets of origin for this equipment.

Likewise, authorities are now investigating technical details, as the devices also operate as malware, capable of collecting personal data, compromising connected devices, and affecting users' digital security.

Public-private cooperation against a regional structure

LALIGA, in line with its commitment against illegal retransmission of sports content, was involved from the outset, providing technical intelligence, signal traceability, and critical evidence to advance the case against local distributors.

DirecTV, the Alliance Against Audiovisual Piracy, and ENACOM also took part, with ENACOM actively collaborating during the raids and in the technical verification of the seized devices.

"Audiovisual piracy is neither a minor offense nor an isolated practice: once again, this proves it is organized crime, with international logistics, financing, and the capacity to damage the entire industry. Moreover, these illegal devices and applications put users directly at risk, exposing their data, their devices, and their digital security," said Javier Tebas, president of LALIGA.

The operation also received support from Mercado Libre, which conducted an in-depth analysis of its platform, cross-referencing data from digital-world sellers with information from the physical distribution circuit. That work made it possible to identify more than 500 sellers of illegal devices and provide critical information for this judicial action.

Worth noting is the involvement of the Criminal Organizations Investigation Division of the Buenos Aires City Police and the San Isidro Investigations Directorate (DDI) of the Buenos Aires Provincial Police, who took part in carrying out the measures ordered by the courts.

A blow to the illegal device market

Argentina is a highly significant market for TV Boxes in Latin America. The estimated total flow is around one and a half million units per year, though less than half enters through channels declared to customs. These devices, sold for around 50 dollars per unit, are usually offered preloaded with illegal applications that allow unauthorized access to protected content without the consent of its rights holders.

 

According to information from judicial investigations, these networks account for at least 8 million confirmed paying subscribers, with a potential of up to 20 million users across the region.