Three UK Men Sentenced to Up to 11 Years for $5.4M Cryptocurrency Theft via Fake Police Impersonation

According to the UK Metropolitan Police, three men were recently sentenced in connection with a $5.4 million cryptocurrency theft scheme in which they impersonated police officers and created fake police websites to deceive victims. Hamza Bashir, 23, received a sentence of six years and nine months, while Kevin Nwamma, 25, and Anthony Ikenwe, 29, were each sentenced to eleven years in prison.

The gang posed as officers over the phone, warning victims that their funds were at risk and directing them to transfer cryptocurrency into wallet addresses presented as secure police accounts. Police recovered £500,000 in cash from a safety deposit box linked to the group and found evidence of luxury spending, including a £60,000 car and purchases from Harrods, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, and Rolex, as well as international travel.