A group of fraudsters have been convicted for stealing thousands of pounds from job seekers using fake online adverts that tricked victims into installing malware.
The criminals targeted innocent people looking for employment on websites such as Gumtree and Blue Arrow by posting bogus job adverts for companies including Harrods and Argos.
Victims who responded to the fake adverts were sent a hyperlink via email asking them to complete an online application form. Those who clicked on the link, downloaded malware onto their computer which recorded their keystrokes, capturing their private financial and personal data that was transmitted back to the criminal gang.
The group were also involved with postal theft and used the personal information to phone banks claiming to have lost their credit/debit card. They would request a new pin number and credit card, and wait outside the victim’s address where they would intercept the postman before the letters were posted.
Police believe fraud may total over £1million
The south London-based gang - Adjibola Akinlabi (aged 26), Damilare Oduwole (26), Michael Awosile (27), Tyrone Ellis (27), Nadine Windley (26) and Temitope Araoye (29) – all pleaded guilty and were convicted for conspiracy to defraud after an investigation launched by the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS) and concluded by the National Crime Agency (NCA). They will all be sentenced later this month.
The gang also defrauded the emergency cash systems of several banks by contacting them and providing illegally obtained security passwords. The bank would then issue them with a special code so they could withdraw £60 from cashpoint machines.
Mobile phone and online chat records showed the group had made more than £300,000 from their fraud, but police believe this figure in reality could be around £1million.
The NCA’s lead cyber officer on this case, Frank Tutty, said: “This is an excellent example of the private sector working together with law enforcement to prosecute those who seek to use sophisticated means to perpetrate major financial and identity fraud”
For further information please visit the NCA website.
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To report a fraud and receive a police crime reference number, call Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040 or use our online fraud reporting tool.
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