Four people from Nigeria but currently residing in the United Kingdom have been sentenced to a combined total of 11 years in prison for their involvement in defrauding major UK telecom providers. The group, consisting of three men and one woman, successfully scammed prominent companies such as Vodafone, EE, O2, and the Carphone Warehouse, amassing a staggering £429,304 through their fraudulent activities.
The fraudulent scheme was exposed when a resident of Hampshire reported the discovery of unauthorized mobile phone accounts that had been opened in their name without consent. Prompt action by Hampshire police led to the revelation that the victim’s personal information had been exploited in a series of fraudulent transactions. Consequently, the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary launched Operation Waterspout, an investigation specifically aimed at dismantling the organized crime group responsible for this significant commercial fraud.
The fraudsters leveraged stolen personal details from existing customers across England and Wales to fraudulently acquire new phone contracts and high-value mobile devices, including popular items like Apple Watches and iPads.
The individuals involved in these fraudulent activities have received the following sentences:
Oluwadamilola Bolaji, a 32-year-old resident of Gravesend, Kent, admitted his role in the £145,000 fraud conspiracy and has been sentenced to six years and three months in prison.
Taofeeq Balogun, a 30-year-old resident of Basingstoke, confessed to participating in the £25,000 fraud conspiracy and has been sentenced to three years in prison.
Taiwo Agusto, a 43-year-old resident of Dartford, Kent, admitted his involvement in the £3,000 fraud conspiracy and has been sentenced to one year and nine months in prison.
Carriba Johnson, a 31-year-old resident of Southwark, London, acknowledged her part in the £2,500 fraud conspiracy and has been given a suspended sentence of 24 months imprisonment.
Throughout the investigation, authorities conducted searches at the residences of the fraudsters, leading to the discovery of a significant number of forged documents, including counterfeit passports, bankcards, bank statements, utility bills, and stolen driving licenses. These counterfeit documents played a vital role in facilitating the crimes, enabling the group to acquire mobile phones and conduct transactions among themselves. Fortunately, none of the 176 customers whose details were misused in 602 fraudulent transactions suffered any financial losses.
Detective Constable Owain Davies from the Hampshire Police Economic Crime Team expressed satisfaction with the investigation’s outcome. DC Davies emphasized the meticulous analysis of financial documentation, which played a pivotal role in gathering the necessary evidence to bring the fraudsters to justice. He hopes that these convictions serve as a strong deterrent to potential fraudsters, sending a clear message that such criminal activities will be thoroughly investigated and met with appropriate punishment.
