Phishers netted by Met police

THE UK POLICE have obtained convictions of three men for their roles in phishing attacks.

In a statement the Metropolitan Police revealed that the men have been sentenced to prison for thirteen and a half years for their roles in what was described as "a sophisticated and concerted attack on the UK and international banking system".

Ayodeji John Kareem, 38, Vincent Alonge, 31, and Babatunde Fafore, 41, were picked up by the Met Police central e-crime unit (PCeU) and sentenced last Friday at Snaresbrook Crown Court. All three pleaded guilty to the offences at earlier hearings.

According to the PCeU the sentencing follows a very involved investigation, which it dubbed 'Operation Dynamophone', and were the first cases of the kind to have involved a lot of detailed evidence. Which is perhaps not as reassuring as it sounds.

In this case the three phishkateers took large quantities of personal information, including online banking passwords and logins and then did the usual thing of stealing money from them and credit card providers. According to the statement the phishers managed to haul in just under £600,000 during their operation, something the Met Police e-crime officers frowned upon.

"In collaboration with law enforcement colleagues and industry partners both in the UK and overseas we are working to identify and bring to justice those committing serious and organised offences of this nature online, and to reduce the harm they cause to innocent individuals and to the economy. These convictions represent a significant step forward," said Detective inspector, Colin Wetherill of the Met Police central e-crime unit.

"However, we all have a role to play in the protection of our private information and we would urge the public to exercise great care when supplying their personal details online, and to take the advice given at www.getsafeonline.org". µ