Fraudsters stole thousands by hacking accounts with malware
Gang jailed for sophisticated scam to infiltrate online banking and businesses
TWO men from Birmingham are among three fraudsters sentenced after they used malware to steal tens of thousands of pounds from victims across the UK.
The sophisticated criminal group used malicious software to infiltrate computers, enabling them to access the bank accounts of individuals and businesses between January 2016 and January 2019.
Usman Khan, 32, of Pershore Road, Birmingham, admitted conspiracy to defraud and two counts of conspiracy to conceal, disguise, convert, transfer or remove criminal property. He was jailed for four years and six months.
Naveed Pasha, 56, of Wyndhurst Road, Birmingham, admitted conspiracy to conceal, disguise, convert, transfer or remove criminal property. He was jailed for two years, suspended for one year and nine months.
Abhay Singh, 33, of Crown Mews, Abingdon, Oxfordshire, admitted conspiracy to conceal, disguise, convert, transfer or remove criminal property. He was jailed for three years and four months.
The conspirators removed substantial funds from each account before transferring the money to other “mule” accounts under their control.
They would then make a final movement of the funds before withdrawing it at banks across the country.
Khan controlled the criminal enterprise through the use of aliases and the support of a trusted group of criminal associates.
He had a leading role of the conspiracy.
Khan first came to the attention of officers following the arrest and conviction of Vugar Mollachiev, 39, of
in
all elements
Berkeley Gardens, north London, in March 2017. He was charged with and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud and money laundering, and was jailed for nine years.
During the search of Mollachiev’s house, a number of significant electronic devices were seized.
It is from detailed analysis of these devices and the 46,700 lines of interaction located on an encrypted message platform that Khan was first identified.
Within the messages officers discovered evidence dating back to April 2016 of Khan searching for software which he could use to access the bank accounts of members of the public. His role at that time was to provide and control UK bank accounts to allow fraudulently obtained money to be transferred through - known as mule accounts.
The money in these accounts would eventually be withdrawn and supplied to a criminal network.
Within the messages discovered on Mollachiev’s device, officers found additional conversations demonstrating Khan’s desire to become further involved in the deployment of malicious software.
Det Sgt Gavin McKay, from Central Specialist Crime, said: “The impact of this fraud upon individuals and businesses both small and large should not be underestimated. This group of criminals stole tens of thousands from individuals, businesses, schools and other organisations.
“They showed no regard for the livelihoods of members of the public, or the future of some businesses during the course of their actions.
“I am pleased with the sentence these individuals have received. It should send a clear message to anyone considering carrying out such crimes that we have the ability and expertise to track you down and bring you to justice. This has been a lengthy and highly complex investigation, and I am incredibly proud of my colleagues’ endeavours in bringing these three men before the courts.
“Fraud is often highly difficult to investigate and prosecute, but I want to reassure the public that we will do all we can to identify and arrest those responsible for such crimes.
“I would also like to thank the National Crime Agency for their assistance in this investigation.”
Phil Larratt from the NCA’s National Cyber Crime Unit said: “Cyber criminals rely heavily on money launderers like Khan and his associates who, in this case, ensured a criminal network were able to access thousands of pounds they stole from victims.
“We are committed to supporting and working with our partners, both nationally and internationally, to target those involved in cyber crime and prevent further people in the UK being defrauded.
“This was a highly complex investigation that dismantled a cyber crime and money laundering organised crime group.
“The result demonstrates the benefit of collaborative working across Team Cyber UK.”