The sentencing follows investigation and arrest by specialist banking industry sponsored police unit, the Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit (DCPCU).

Between October 2022 and May 2024, Fuad Hussein, 25, ran a sophisticated smishing and social engineering operation, mainly targeting elderly and vulnerable banking customers. Officers discovered a list of over 30,000 phone numbers saved on Hussein’s device, which he had classed as those potentially vulnerable to fraud.

Through the police’s investigation, they discovered Hussein used the online alias ‘Gogetta’ on the messaging platform Telegram, where he conspired with others to commit fraud by sending large volumes of fraudulent SMS text messages to victims claiming to be from their bank.  These messages stated an unknown transaction had taken place on their account, and were directed to phone a number if they didn’t recognise the transaction, which was controlled by Hussein. Officers identified Hussein was running a “call centre” where he would convince victims that their bank had identified an internal staff member committing fraud.

He and his associates kept victims on the phone for hours, manipulating them into transferring funds or handing over their bank cards to couriers under the guise that they would be collected by the Bank of England for examination. Evidence showed Hussein had booked taxis to collect the cards, instructing victims to conceal them in bags padded with clothing. 

Further investigation of Hussein’s Telegram messages revealed that he also made us of technical advice received from other criminals to control victims’ computer screens and carry out fraud. Conversations revealed the fraudster had exchanged several crypto wallet addresses and made transactions to other fraud suspects.

DCPCU officers executed a search warrant at Hussein’s address in May 2024 after finding evidence linking him to the crimes. At the property they seized three phones containing compromised card details and fraud-related material, £3,480 in cash and a Rolex watch valued at around £6,000.

Hussein initially claimed he had made around £15,000 from his criminal activity, later admitting in court that the figure was closer to £30,000, an amount the Judge considered an underestimate. Due to the scale of offending, it is difficult to quantify the total losses to individuals, but it is estimated to be between £100,000 to £500,000. All identified victims were refunded by their banks.

Detective Constable Dan Jordan said:

Hussein cruelly targeted elderly and vulnerable individuals, manipulating them into believing that they were helping their bank and exploiting their trust for his own financial gain.

“Fortunately, we were able to identify this criminal and bring him to justice, putting a stop to his crimes before he could cause more financial and emotional harm.

“This sentence serves as a warning to anyone who tries to gain financially from fraud, that they will be caught and punished.