The FBI's Atlanta Field Office has seized several websites known for distributing pirated video games, ending a long-running operation that caused tens of millions in industry losses. The agency also announced it had dismantled the digital infrastructure supporting the illegal marketplaces.
The seized domains (nsw2u.com, nswdl.com, game-2u.com, bigngame.com, ps4pkg.com, ps4pkg.net, and mgnetu.com) were known for leaking high-profile video games days or even weeks before their official release.
Between late February and the end of May 2025, authorities recorded more than 3.2 million downloads from one popular service alone, contributing to an estimated $170 million in lost revenue for game developers and publishers.
Visitors to the affected sites are now met with a seizure notice indicating the domains have been taken over by federal authorities.
Meantime, in the unrelated case, British authorities sentenced two brothers involved in illegal streaming operations. Stephen Woodward, 36, of Thirsk, North Yorkshire, was jailed for three years and one month after pleading guilty to copyright infringement and multiple counts of money laundering. He ran illegal streaming services including IPTV Hosting, Helix Hosting, and Black and White TV, amassing around £1 million in illicit earnings, which he spent on luxury items and vacations.
His brother, Christopher Woodward, 34, received a suspended 15-month sentence and must complete 240 hours of unpaid community service. Both men were prosecuted following an investigation by the City of London Police's Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU), which also froze assets totaling more than £1.1 million across bank accounts and cryptocurrency wallets.
