Skip to content
Search

Latest Stories

Three men sentenced for cyber fraud 

THREE fraudsters who used malware to steal tens of thousands of pounds from victims across the UK have been sentenced on Friday (29).

The Birmingham Crown Court sentenced Usman Khan, Abhay Singh, and Naveed Pasha.


Khan, 32, of Pershore Road, Birmingham, was charged with conspiracy to defraud and two counts of conspiracy to conceal criminal property.

He was jailed for 54 months by the court.

Singh, 33, of Abingdon was jailed for 40 months whereas, Pasha, 56, of Wyndhurst Road, Birmingham, was jailed for 24 months and suspended for 33 months.

Singh and Pasha were charged with conspiracy to conceal, disguise, convert, transfer, and remove criminal property.

The trio admitted to the offence committed by them.

DS Gavin McKay from Central Specialist Crime said: “The impact of this fraud upon individuals and businesses, both small and large, should not be underestimated. This group of criminals stole tens of thousands from individuals, businesses, schools, and other organisations. They showed no regard for the livelihoods of members of the public, or the future of some businesses during the course of their actions.

The case focuses on a long-term cyber fraud and money laundering operation committed by a sophisticated criminal group between 2016 and 2019.

The group used malicious software to infiltrate computers, enabling them to access the bank accounts of individuals and businesses.

The conspirators removed substantial funds from each account, before transferring the money to other 'mule' accounts under their control.

They would then make a final movement of the funds before withdrawing it at banks across the country.

Khan controlled the criminal enterprise through the use of aliases and the support of a trusted group of criminal associates.

He had a leading role in all elements of the conspiracy.

Khan first came to the attention of officers following the arrest and conviction of Vugar Mollachiev, 39, of Berkeley Gardens in 2017.

He was charged with and pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud and money laundering, and was jailed for nine years.

During the search of Mollachiev’s house, a number of significant electronic devices were seized.

It is from detailed analysis of these devices and the 46,700 lines of interaction located on an encrypted message platform that Khan was first identified.

Within the messages, officers discovered evidence dating back to April 2016 of Khan searching for software which he could use to access the bank accounts of members of the public.

His role at that time was to provide and control UK bank accounts and to allow fraudulently obtained money to be transferred through mule accounts.

The money in these accounts would eventually be withdrawn and supplied to a criminal network.

Within the messages discovered on Mollachiev’s device, officers found additional conversations demonstrating Khan’s desire to become further involved in the deployment of malicious software.

Between 2016 and 2017, Khan was involved in thousands of conversations discussing the fraudulent movement of up to £40,000 a day into mule bank accounts from both personal and business victim bank accounts.

More For You

‘All options on the table’ as Britain
prepares for likelihood of US tariffs

Sir Keir Starmer with Jonathan Reynolds

‘All options on the table’ as Britain prepares for likelihood of US tariffs

BRITAIN is likely to be hit by US tariffs despite making “rapid progress” over a trade deal with Washington, prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said on Tuesday (1).

He spoke as US trading partners around the world braced for an expected fresh raft of tariffs from president Donald Trump, in addition to levies already imposed on steel and those set to take effect this week on cars.

Keep ReadingShow less
single-use vapes-iStock

Analysis by Material Focus estimates that 8.2 million vapes are discarded or littered each week in the UK—equivalent to 13 every second. (Representational image: iStock)

iStock

Shops told to clear single-use vapes before ban starts on June 1

SHOPS across the UK have until 1 June 2025 to sell off remaining stocks of single-use vapes before a nationwide ban comes into force.

The legislation, confirmed last year, follows a government consultation that showed strong support for restricting their sale and supply.

Keep ReadingShow less
Primark-London-Getty

During his 15-year tenure, Marchant expanded Primark’s store network to more than 450 locations across 17 countries in Europe and the United States. (Photo: Reuters)

Primark chief Paul Marchant steps down after misconduct probe

PAUL MARCHANT, the head of fashion retailer Primark, has resigned with immediate effect after admitting to an "error of judgment" in his behaviour towards a woman in a social setting.

Associated British Foods (AB Foods), Primark's parent company, announced his resignation on Monday.

Keep ReadingShow less
Jaguar’s bold gamble: Can it woo young, wealthy drivers with a £123k EV?

Jaguar’s bold gamble: Can it woo young, wealthy drivers with a £123k EV?

JAGUAR’S ambition to seduce younger, richer drivers was on full display in Paris with a presentation of its newest prototype, the Type 00, which promises all-electric luxury... at a steep price.

The low-slung, muscular-looking concept car presented to European reporters last Friday (21) prefigures a production model expected mid-2026 at a base cost of €150,000 (£123,472.8).

Keep ReadingShow less
Starmer-Trump-Getty

Trump has suggested the possibility of a 'great' trade deal that could help the UK mitigate the impact of tariffs he has pledged to introduce. (Photo: Getty Images)

Starmer, Trump talk trade deal progress in 'productive' discussion

KEIR STARMER and Donald Trump spoke on Sunday about ongoing UK-US trade negotiations, with Downing Street describing the talks as "productive."

Since leaving the European Union, the UK has been working to secure a trade agreement with the United States. Successive British governments have pursued a deal, but it has remained elusive.

Keep ReadingShow less