Commentator Anh Tho is one of 38 individuals recently indicted by Hung Yen Provincial Police in a case related to the Xoi Lac TV system. These 38 people are being investigated for one of the following acts: copyright and related rights infringement, organizing gambling, gambling, and disseminating obscene materials.
Anh Tho stated he loved football and aspired to become a professional commentator, leading him to seek opportunities on online platforms. About 10 years ago, when Xoi Lac TV advertised for collaborators, he registered to become a football commentator.
Anh Tho admitted he was aware that matches broadcast on Xoi Lac's website were unlicensed. However, he accepted the commentary job because he wanted to pursue his passion and felt he lacked the ability to work for mainstream television stations.
For each match he commentated, Anh Tho received 300,000 dong. He participated in about 25-30 matches per month, earning an equivalent of 7,5-9 million dong monthly.
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Anh Tho's commentary workspace. Photo: A05 |
His commentary room featured soundproof walls, microphones, a system of screens displaying matches, and other equipment. The commentary booth, designed like a television studio, included professional-grade microphones. Due to the continuous schedule of international football tournaments, often held at night, commentators like Anh Tho had to work around the clock. Food, drinks, and bedding were prepared for the commentators.
According to the Cybersecurity and High-Tech Crime Prevention Department (A05, Ministry of Public Security), Xoi Lac TV is a collective name for numerous links leading to pirated streaming websites, sourced from many countries. The dismantled Xoi Lac TV pirated web network was one of the largest systems authorities have encountered.
The Xoi Lac TV system primarily generated revenue by embedding advertisements for football betting and obscene materials. Its staff were young, proficient in information technology, and mostly held university or master's degrees. Among those arrested, about 20 were renowned commentators on the Xoi Lac channel, with nicknames such as: Anh Tho, Nguoi Rom (Scarecrow), Nguoi Doi (Bat-Man), Batman.
Xoi Lac TV, a site specializing in pirated broadcasts of international sports events on the Internet since 2016, was developed by an anonymous group. In videos, the channel's commentators repeatedly stated they lived abroad. Its domain names were registered through GoDaddy and pointed to servers with IP addresses in the US.
A05 advised people not to access or share links to copyrighted sports programs or movies. When accessing these websites, users risk malware installation to steal personal information, bank accounts, and being drawn into gambling.
