Industry Mar 19, 2026

First U.S. Streaming Fraud Case Sees Guilty Plea

Michael Smith faces up to five years in prison after he admitted to siphoning off royalties with billions of fake streams.

Originally published by Billboard
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First U.S. Streaming Fraud Case Sees Guilty Plea

Michael Smith has pleaded guilty in what is described as the first-ever U.S. streaming fraud case. The scheme involved AI music and generated $8 million in fraudulent royalties through billions of fake streams. Smith faces a potential sentence of up to five years in prison. Originally reported by Billboard.