100 people arrested in UK’s largest fraud investigation | Fraud

over 100 people were arrested in the largest fraudulent operation in the UK, which resulted in down a website police describe as “one- stop spoofing shop” is used by fraudsters to steal dozens of of millions of pounds sterling from the British via false bank phone calls.

Estimated more more than 200,000 potential victims were referred via iSpoof a scam website that was taken down this week the Scotland Yard cybercrime department with in help of authorities in USA and Ukraine.

AT one stage almost 20 people every minute of day contacted by scammers hiding behind false personalities created using site, and it is assumed that criminals may have stolen around £50 million. Real amount most likely will higher as fraud is often underreported.

One victim was deceived out of 3 million pounds, while the average amount stolen was £10,000. Those who cheat shop made around £3.2m over 20-month period, estimated.

The scammers paid iSpoof, which was set up in December 2020, for a service that allowed them to hide their phone number and pretend they were calling from a trusted organization such as bank or tax office. The scammers used bitcoin to pay for service.

They would then trick people in hand over money or give them access to their bank Accounts. in year by August, there were about 10 million fraudulent calls. made globally via iSpoof, with about 3.5 m of those made in United Kingdom. Of these, 350,000 calls lasted more how one minute and were made up to 200,000 individuals.

Users of service that was shut down this week, thought they were anonymous. However, this was not the case, and more than 100 people were arrested as part of of Operation Elaborate so far predominantly in London.

Suspected mastermind among arrests behind on the website of Tijay Fletcher, who police say lives a “luxurious” lifestyle.

Fletcher, 34 of Western Gateway, East London, has been charged with manufacture or supply articles for use in fraud, involvement in activities of organized crime group and income of crime has the meaning on November 7th. he was taken into custody in guardianship and is next to appear before Southwark Crown Court on December 6.

The Met, which led the operation, launched an investigation into iSpoof in June 2021, working with international law enforcement agencies, including in USA, Netherlands and Ukraine will close down in website.

The investigators entered website – which had 59,000 users – and 70 million rows were discovered of data and bitcoin records, allowing them begin to search for suspects.

How pool of there are so many suspects that the investigation is initially focused on British users and those who spent at least 100 bitcoin to use website.

Det Supt Helen Rance, who leads on cybercrime for The Met said, “Taking down iSpoof we have prevented further offenses and stopped scammers targeting future victims.

“Our appeal to criminals who used it website we have your data and we are working hard to find you, regardless of Where you are.”

The police have list of phone numbers that iSpoof scammers will target and contact potential victims via text on Thursday and Friday. Any message received after November 25 did not come from the police, he warns.

The text message will ask the victims to visit the Met. website give more details about them experience. It will not include a clickable link.

Anyone who The Met does not contact him, but believes he was a victim of number swap scam should report the incident to Action Fraud.

Police force said it plans to use Revenue of Crime law to redress money where possible.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said: “By removing tools and systems that allow fraudsters to defraud the innocent people to scale this operation shows how we are determined to fight the intentions of corrupt individuals on using often vulnerable people”.

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