Overview
- Authorities confirmed on July 2 that seven people suspected of running HiAnime were identified and detained as part of a long-running investigation.
- Investigators say the network operated more than 100 websites and hosted roughly 26,000 unauthorized films, with reporting attributing about $12.85 million in ad revenue to the operation.
- The arrests grew out of information and coordination from the Alliance for Creativity and Entertainment, U.S. Homeland Security Investigations, and the U.S. Department of Justice working with Vietnam’s C03 and A05 units.
- Four suspects are currently in custody and three are subject to residence bans while Vietnamese authorities continue forensic work and prepare prosecutions.
- The case is part of a wider global push against illegal streaming this year, following large Europol takedowns, and may lead to further disruption of major unauthorised platforms and legal action against their operators.