Criminal network wrote malware that helped them steal personal data and thousands of pounds from members of the public
The National Crime Agency and the Metropolitan Police Service has convicted the UK’s first home-grown financial malware writer of fraud after an investigation into fake online job adverts.
Tyrone Ellis, age 27, was a part of a south London-based criminal network of six, which used malware to record keystrokes of people who applied to bogus job adverts. The gang then used the personal information collected from the keystrokes to steal money from people’s bank accounts.
Mobile phone and online chat records showed the group have stolen more than £300,000. However, the police believe that the actual figure could be more than £1 million.
The criminals posted fake job adverts for companies including Argos and Harrods, on websites such as Gumtree and Blue Arrow.
People who responded to the bogus ads were sent a hyperlink via email asking them to complete an online application form. Those who clicked on the link inadvertently downloaded the computer malware that recorded their keystrokes.
The gang used the personal data to phone banks claiming to have lost their credit or debit cards, and requesting a new pin number and card. They would then wait outside the victim’s address to intercept the postman before he posted these letters.
Furthermore, the criminals used the information to defraud the emergency cash systems of several banks. By providing security passwords, the banks would issue them with a special code so that they could withdraw £60 from ATMs.
Computer World
