Menu
01/11/2011
Criminal Network Jailed Over 'E-Crime'
The ring leaders of a major organised criminal network which siphoned nearly £3 million from the bank accounts of the public have been jailed on Monday.
Ukrainian nationals Yuriy Konovalenko aka Pavel Klikov, 29, and Yevhen Kulibaba, 33, both of 9 Nevada Heights, Chingford Mount Road, Chingford, were each jailed for four years and eight months at Croydon Crown Court after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud.
Both men were arrested after an investigation by the Met's Police Central E-Crime Unit (PCeU).
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the convictions were the culmination of a "complex and protracted" investigation by detectives from the Met's Police Central e-Crime Unit, which has seen 13 people jailed for their part in a sophisticated international online fraud that attacked the heart of the UK banking industry.
The investigation, codenamed Operation Lath, focussed on the activities of a group responsible for conducting a systematic and highly sophisticated banking fraud which attacked the banking accounts of hundreds of online customers.
The fraud was perpetrated through the use of banking 'Trojans' to infect the personal computers of bank account holders and subsequently secure funds from them. The malicious software programme was able to capture confidential information, such as usernames, passwords and account numbers.
These details were then used to access those accounts without the knowledge of the owners. Funds were then transferred to a large number of receiving accounts controlled by the group.
Detective Inspector Colin Wetherill, from the Metropolitan Police Central eCrime Unit said: "These defendants were part of an organised network of computer criminals operating a state-of-the art international online banking fraud, through which they stole many millions of pounds from individuals and businesses in the UK and United States.
"The investigation involved unprecedented levels of cooperation between the Metropolitan Police, the UK banks, the FBI and other UK and international law enforcement agencies. We are working hard to reduce the harm caused by these activities, to put fear into the minds of those contemplating these conspiracies and to bring such offenders to justice."
The total amount stolen through the operation of the fraud has not been definitively established; however the UK prosecution looked at the activities of the 13 defendants between September 2009 and March 2010 and during this period the proved loss was at least £2,884,590. The total amount which the conspirators attempted to remove was at least £4,286,559.
(DW/GK)
Ukrainian nationals Yuriy Konovalenko aka Pavel Klikov, 29, and Yevhen Kulibaba, 33, both of 9 Nevada Heights, Chingford Mount Road, Chingford, were each jailed for four years and eight months at Croydon Crown Court after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud.
Both men were arrested after an investigation by the Met's Police Central E-Crime Unit (PCeU).
A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the convictions were the culmination of a "complex and protracted" investigation by detectives from the Met's Police Central e-Crime Unit, which has seen 13 people jailed for their part in a sophisticated international online fraud that attacked the heart of the UK banking industry.
The investigation, codenamed Operation Lath, focussed on the activities of a group responsible for conducting a systematic and highly sophisticated banking fraud which attacked the banking accounts of hundreds of online customers.
The fraud was perpetrated through the use of banking 'Trojans' to infect the personal computers of bank account holders and subsequently secure funds from them. The malicious software programme was able to capture confidential information, such as usernames, passwords and account numbers.
These details were then used to access those accounts without the knowledge of the owners. Funds were then transferred to a large number of receiving accounts controlled by the group.
Detective Inspector Colin Wetherill, from the Metropolitan Police Central eCrime Unit said: "These defendants were part of an organised network of computer criminals operating a state-of-the art international online banking fraud, through which they stole many millions of pounds from individuals and businesses in the UK and United States.
"The investigation involved unprecedented levels of cooperation between the Metropolitan Police, the UK banks, the FBI and other UK and international law enforcement agencies. We are working hard to reduce the harm caused by these activities, to put fear into the minds of those contemplating these conspiracies and to bring such offenders to justice."
The total amount stolen through the operation of the fraud has not been definitively established; however the UK prosecution looked at the activities of the 13 defendants between September 2009 and March 2010 and during this period the proved loss was at least £2,884,590. The total amount which the conspirators attempted to remove was at least £4,286,559.
(DW/GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
04 February 2011
HMRC Warns Against ‘Phishy’ Email Scam
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is warning taxpayers to be vigilant following a surge of fake ‘phishing’ emails sent out by fraudsters, following the 31 January Self Assessment tax return filing deadline. The email informs the recipient they are due a tax rebate, and provides a click-through link to a replica of the HMRC website.
HMRC Warns Against ‘Phishy’ Email Scam
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is warning taxpayers to be vigilant following a surge of fake ‘phishing’ emails sent out by fraudsters, following the 31 January Self Assessment tax return filing deadline. The email informs the recipient they are due a tax rebate, and provides a click-through link to a replica of the HMRC website.
12 August 2010
Beware 'Tax' Scammers, Says Revenue
Taxpayers are being urged to be vigilant following reports that thieves are making phone calls pretending to be the taxman. The fraudsters inform taxpayers they are due a tax rebate, and ask for their bankcard details over the phone. They then attempt to take money from the account using the details provided.
Beware 'Tax' Scammers, Says Revenue
Taxpayers are being urged to be vigilant following reports that thieves are making phone calls pretending to be the taxman. The fraudsters inform taxpayers they are due a tax rebate, and ask for their bankcard details over the phone. They then attempt to take money from the account using the details provided.
23 October 2013
Couple Jailed For 18 Years For Trafficking And Rape Of Deaf Girl
A husband and wife have been jailed for a total of 18 years for the rape of a girl that they trafficked into the UK and kept as a servant in the basement of their home. A trial heard that 83-year-old Ilyas Ashar and his 68-year-old wife Tallat brought the victim, who is both deaf and mute, from Pakistan to the UK in 2000, when she was 10 years old.
Couple Jailed For 18 Years For Trafficking And Rape Of Deaf Girl
A husband and wife have been jailed for a total of 18 years for the rape of a girl that they trafficked into the UK and kept as a servant in the basement of their home. A trial heard that 83-year-old Ilyas Ashar and his 68-year-old wife Tallat brought the victim, who is both deaf and mute, from Pakistan to the UK in 2000, when she was 10 years old.
02 February 2011
Charity Fraudster Jailed
A businessman who defrauded a charity providing housing to vulnerable people has been jailed. Paul Campayne, 47, from Coulsdon in Surrey was sentenced to two and a half years in prison at Isleworth Crown Court.
Charity Fraudster Jailed
A businessman who defrauded a charity providing housing to vulnerable people has been jailed. Paul Campayne, 47, from Coulsdon in Surrey was sentenced to two and a half years in prison at Isleworth Crown Court.
23 November 2010
Man Sentenced For Money Laundering
A man has been sentenced to three years in prison at Southwark Crown Court having pleaded guilty to defrauding the Department for Work and Pensions; Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs and Enfield Borough Council to the sum of £113,000. The investigation was carried out by the Metropolitan Police Service's 'Operation Golf' team.
Man Sentenced For Money Laundering
A man has been sentenced to three years in prison at Southwark Crown Court having pleaded guilty to defrauding the Department for Work and Pensions; Her Majesty's Revenue and Customs and Enfield Borough Council to the sum of £113,000. The investigation was carried out by the Metropolitan Police Service's 'Operation Golf' team.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
