December 23, 2009
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News: UK Shop Owner Uncovers CC Theft Scam
The proprietor of a British music store is responsible for the apprehension of two Nigerian credit card and identity thieves. Moss Hills, owner of the Stagebeat music store in Surrey, U.K. became suspicious of Gboyega Ankinbola when he noticed that his ship to address did not match his credit card details. Taking matters into his own hands, Moss traced Akinbola's email address which revealed evidence of widespread fraud. Moss notified the authorities at the Surrey Police and the Serious Organized Crime Agency (SOCA) who coined the investigation "Operation Prince". The investigation revealed that Akinbola and his accomplice, Oyetunde Oyedeji, had registered as students but were members of an international credit card fraud syndicate.
The illegal computer hacking scam is considered one of the largest cracked cases in UK history. The scam involved credit card theft of over 200,000 cards. Akinbola and Oyedeji purchased over 1,000 stolen credit card numbers and used them to rack up nearly $80,000. The case brought criticism to the banking industry's credit system by Judge Christopher Hardy, the Southwark Crown Court judge who officiated over the trials of Akinbola and Oyedeji. The investigation led to the arrest of the two alleged ringleaders of the extensive computer hacking organization. Both were arrested at their homes; one in Egypt and the other in Vietnam.
The two Nigerians pleaded guilty to credit card fraud. Akinbola was sentenced to 3 ½ years in prison and Oyedeji received a two year sentence. Akinbola will be deported at the end of his sentence, but Oyedeji who is married to a U.K. citizen, will be allowed to remain in the U.K. as a student. Hills, the music store owner, was commended for his "ingenuity" by Judge Hardy and was awarded a modest reward. The U.K. authorities believe the hackers operated worldwide in hacking into the databases of British banks selling British citizens' personal card information across the globe. The extent of the damage is not yet determined and detectives believe it will be some time before it known.