Pirating films has grown steadily since OTT platforms became widely popular. Many viewers unwilling to pay high subscription costs turned to piracy. Others chose illegal access to watch content unavailable in their region.
Despite its popularity, piracy remains illegal. Every year, the government blocks numerous websites to control this practice. Authorities continue to warn users about legal consequences and financial risks linked to illegal streaming services.
Recently, Noida’s Phase-1 Police uncovered a fake international call centre involved in an OTT subscription scam. The operation allegedly targeted foreign nationals with discounted illegal access to multiple streaming platforms.
The racket was run under the name WebBiz Service LLC. It operated from Sector 2, Noida, and functioned under the guise of a legitimate subscription service provider.
According to the Deputy Commissioner of Police, the accused specifically targeted NRIs. They offered cheap subscriptions to Indian, Pakistani, and international OTT platforms, presenting themselves as authorised sellers.
The fraudsters sold plans priced between USD 100 and USD 300. These plans claimed validity periods ranging from 12 to 27 months, which attracted unsuspecting customers living abroad.
Police stated that the group illegally accessed original OTT content. They recorded it using capture-card software and retransmitted it through private servers, later sharing fake subscription links with customers.
Once payments were made, access was frequently discontinued. Victims were then pressured to pay repeated renewal fees to restore services, further deepening the fraud.
During the raid, officers found that the accused used internet calls to contact the US. Spoofed caller IDs were used to hide real phone numbers and mislead victims.
When police confronted them, all six suspects reportedly panicked and stopped operations immediately. The sudden shutdown raised further suspicion about the scale of the scam.
A formal case has been registered, and a detailed investigation is underway. Authorities are examining possible connections to larger cyber-fraud networks operating across regions.
Piracy remains a serious concern in India as OTT subscription prices rise. With audiences shifting online, scammers find new ways to exploit demand for digital content.
Such situations make consumers vulnerable to offers of heavily discounted subscriptions. Staying alert, verifying sources, and reporting suspicious activity remain the best ways to avoid such scams.
UP NEWS : Fake OTT subscription racket exposed in Noida, 6 arrested.
According to DCP Noida Yamuna Prasad, gang was offering year long subscriptions to people by re-routing OTT data without taking any official subscription. pic.twitter.com/DVYGsFmcRH
— News Arena India (@NewsArenaIndia) December 12, 2025
