FBI Seizes Multiple Piracy Sites Distributing Pirated Video Games
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has taken a significant step in combating online piracy by seizing multiple websites that were distributing pirated video games. The operation, which involved the Dutch Financial Intelligence and Operational Centre (FIOD), resulted in the dismantling of the infrastructure of these sites, including nsw2u.com, ps4pkg.com, and mgnetu.com.
These websites had been active for over four years, offering early access to popular game titles and logging 3.2 million downloads between February and May 2025. The estimated losses due to piracy on these sites are staggering, with a total of $170 million in revenue lost by the gaming industry.
A Growing Problem
Online piracy has been a persistent problem for the gaming industry, with millions of gamers around the world turning to pirated versions of games. According to recent statistics, roughly 3.3 billion gamers exist globally, and 10% admitted to downloading or playing pirated games in the past three months.
The situation is particularly dire on PC and mobile platforms, where piracy is rampant. A survey by PC Gamer found that 35% of PC gamers have pirated titles, while 95% of Android games are pirated, and 50-60% of iOS games are also affected.
Tangible Consequences
The widespread piracy has tangible consequences for the gaming industry. Besides causing revenue losses, pirated games often contain malware that can infect PCs, with 3.2 million computers infected in 2021 due to downloads from shady sources.
Furthermore, pirated games are often of poor quality, lacking the polish and support that legitimate versions provide. This can lead to a lack of faith in the gaming industry as a whole, with some gamers feeling that they need to resort to piracy simply because they cannot afford or access official releases.
A Message from the FBI
The FBI's Atlanta Field Office announced the seizure of these online criminal marketplaces, stating: "The FBI’s Atlanta Field Office announced today the seizure of several online criminal marketplaces providing pirated versions of popular video games."
In addition to the seizure, the FBI has dismantled the infrastructure of these websites, ensuring that they can no longer operate and distribute pirated content. The website nsw2u was particularly notable for its popularity among gamers searching for pirated games for Nintendo Switch consoles.
A Counterfeit and Piracy Watch List
The website nsw2u was added to the EU's Counterfeit and Piracy Watch List in May 2025, highlighting the need for continued action against online piracy. This year, Italy, the UK, Spain, Portugal, Germany, and France also blocked access to the website, with visitors now seeing FBI seizure notices.
A Call to Action
As the gaming industry continues to grapple with the issue of piracy, it is essential that consumers take action. By supporting official releases and avoiding pirated versions of games, gamers can help ensure that developers continue to create high-quality content that meets our expectations.
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