Manhunt for fraudster in £60m scam
Scot target of cyber crime unit
POLICE are searching for a Scot alleged to have defrauded business banking c ustomers out of £60million. Feezan Hameed Choudhary is believed to be part of a gang that tricked customers into handing over confidential i nformation on the phone.
Eleven others were arrested earlier this week but police have yet to find the 24-year-old.
Choudhary from Pollokshields, Glasgow, is being sought by the Metropolitan Police Cyber Crime and Fraud Team.
Funds from business accounts were transferred to those controlled by the gang, which then withdrew the money.
The i nvestigation has been described as the ‘largest’ into cyber crime in the UK.
Earlier this week police raided 14 addresses in London and Scotland, recovering evidence i ncluding dongles, SIM cards, mobile phones and laptops.
They also found a large quantity of cash in a number of the properties.
Yesterday the Met put out an appeal urging anyone who may know where Choudhary is to contact them. He is described as being around 6ft 2in, with black hair and brown eyes.
Police said they were also looking into possible links he has in Edinburgh and London.
Detective Chief Inspector Andy Gould, head of the taskforce, said: ‘These fraudsters gain the trust of their victims by appearing to call from an official bank phone line.
‘They sound professional and ask some subtle questions to gain the information they need to access the customer’s bank account.
‘This covert operation demonstrates our ability to dismantle organised criminal networks to keep businesses safe from this type of crime.’
Police Scotland, West Yorkshire Police and Greater Manchester Police have also been helping with the investigation.
The 11 men and women arrested earlier this week are being held in custody. They are accused of conspiracy to defraud and money laundering.
A further ten people were arrested on the same charges earlier this year. They are believed to be part of the same gang as Choudhary.
The investigation is ongoing.