Man Sentenced to 13 Years for Operating Multi-Million Pound Fraud Operation
Met-led Multi-Agency Investigation Takes Down iSpoof and its Criminal Network
A 35-year-old man has been sentenced to 13 years and 4 months in prison for running iSpoof, a multi-million pound fraud website. Tejay Fletcher, residing in Western Gateway, London, was convicted at Southwark Crown Court on Thursday, 18 May. His sentencing marks the culmination of a comprehensive investigation led by the Metropolitan Police’s Cyber Crime Unit, in collaboration with several national and international law enforcement agencies.
The Fraud Operation:
iSpoof operated as a platform that facilitated fraudulent activities, enabling criminals to impersonate representatives from banks, tax offices, and other official entities. Victims, who lost millions in the scam, were contacted by scammers hiding behind false identities, attempting to defraud them by obtaining personal and security information. The fraudulent calls were made through iSpoof, and unsuspecting individuals were coerced into disclosing sensitive details, such as one-time passcodes, leading to financial losses.
The Investigation:
The Met’s Cyber and Economic Crime Units joined forces with the City of London Police, the National Crime Agency, Europol, Eurojust, Dutch authorities, and the FBI to conduct a large-scale investigation. Their collaborative efforts dismantled the iSpoof website, targeted the fraudsters utilizing its services, and ultimately brought the operator, Tejay Fletcher, to justice.
The Scale of the Operation:
The impact of iSpoof was staggering, with almost 20 people being targeted by scammers every minute of the day. UK victims alone reported losses of £43 million, while global losses were estimated to exceed £100 million. The true extent of the damage caused by iSpoof is believed to be much higher, as fraud cases are often underreported. The investigation revealed that 10 million fraudulent calls were made globally within a year, with 3.5 million of them originating from the UK.
Uncovering the Culprit:
The investigation into iSpoof resulted in the arrest of Tejay Fletcher on 6 November 2022. A subsequent search of his residence uncovered more than 30 mobile phones, numerous SIM cards, luxury watches, and a money counter. Fletcher, who had profited between £1.7-£1.9 million from running iSpoof, lived a lavish lifestyle, owning expensive vehicles and frequently going on extravagant holidays.
Continued Efforts:
As part of the ongoing inquiry, a total of 169 individuals have been arrested in the UK on suspicion of utilizing iSpoof for fraudulent activities. The investigation remains active, with law enforcement agencies determined to bring all involved parties to justice.
Finale:
The takedown of iSpoof represents the largest fraud operation in the history of the United Kingdom. The successful collaboration between multiple law enforcement agencies highlights the commitment to combating fraud and cybercrime. The sentence handed down to Tejay Fletcher serves as a reminder that those involved in fraudulent activities will face severe consequences. Victims are urged to report any incidents of fraud to Action Fraud, and the fight against online fraud continues as law enforcement agencies work tirelessly to protect innocent individuals and hold criminals accountable for their actions.
Tags: Organised Crime, Multi-Million Pound Fraud, United Kingdom
Title picture: Tejay Fletcher (credit: Met Police)
