Federation Against Copyright Theft

18/03/2026

We're delighted to share this innovative new campaign from Be StreamWise which FACT supports, highlighting the risks of illegal streaming.

29/05/2025

Ahead of the UK’s upcoming ban on disposable v**es from 1 June 2025, Crimestoppers has launched a national campaign to tackle the growing threat posed by illicit v**es. FACT is proud to support this important initiative.

The campaign highlights the serious public health risks and criminal exploitation linked to these unregulated and untested products — which often contain dangerously high levels of ni****ne, as well as toxic substances like lead and nickel.

But it’s not just about health. Criminal gangs are using the illegal v**e trade to fund drug trafficking, human trafficking and money laundering. Even more disturbing, children and young people are being exploited, coerced into buying or selling v**es in exchange for money or favours.

Although the sale of disposable v**es is about to be illegal, unscrupulous vendors are still expected to sell these products in market stalls, barbershops, online platforms and phone shops — often in cash-only transactions.

Crimestoppers is calling on the public to stay alert and report any suspicious activity anonymously.

🔍 Look out for these signs of illegal v**e sales:
• Unusually low prices
• Missing health warnings or manufacturer details
• Sales from unlicensed locations — often cash-only
• Young people being used to buy or sell
• Disposable v**es being sold after 1 June
📞 Report anonymously: 0800 555 111
🌐 Learn more: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/get-involved/campaigns/the-dangers-of-illicit-v**es

Together, we can stop illegal v**es from harming our communities.

13/03/2025

The majority of Brits (53%) see illegal streaming as a victimless crime. Yet new research by our partners Be StreamWise alongside consumer champion Matt Allwright, shows that people who stream illegally lose four times as much money to scams (£5,486) compared to those who don't pirate content (£1,328). What's more, one in four scam victims believe they were targeted as a direct result of online piracy. Matt Allwright has the story👇

26/09/2023

When you use illegal streams, you risk letting criminals in. Illegal streaming services are increasingly operated by sophisticated criminal networks, often involved in other types of crime.

26/09/2023