Fake Police Reports Used to Swipe $1.2 Million in Crypto from Kent Residents

The criminals created fake reports linked to Action Fraud, the UK’s official fraud reporting center, and used them to trick victims into handing over access to their cryptocurrency wallets.

Kent Police issued a warning on March 1, urging people to stay alert to ongoing scams. The police stated, "Personal details were taken from the data leak and used to generate fake Action Fraud reports".

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Once the reports were created, scammers contacted victims and claimed they were under investigation. The victims were told they would soon receive a call from their "crypto wallet host" to discuss the matter.

That second call came from someone posing as a security officer, who pressured victims into sharing their seed phrases. The police warning explained:

With that information, the fraudsters were able to rebuild the wallet, steal the funds and transfer them so that they can’t be recovered.

Detective Sergeant Darryll Paulson cautioned residents not to share personal information over the phone, no matter who is asking. He noted that scammers often create a false sense of urgency, convincing people they need to act immediately to prevent their money from being stolen.

Paulson encouraged others who have been targeted not to feel embarrassed and to report fraud attempts as soon as possible.

On February 28, the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) sentenced 46-year-old entrepreneur Olumide Osunkoya to four years in prison. What happened? Read the full story.