Money launderers jailed for £1 million fraud

A group of money launderers who laundered the proceeds of bogus computer service companies that conned victims out of over £1 million have been sentenced.

Five money launderers who laundered the proceeds of bogus computer service companies that conned victims – many of whom were elderly and vulnerable – out of over £1 million have been sentenced to 9 and a half years imprisonment at Leeds Crown Court today (3 June 2024).

The sentences follow an investigation led by the National Trading Standards eCrime Team, based at City of York Council and North Yorkshire Council, supported by officers from West Midlands, Staffordshire and Wiltshire police services.

Between May 2015 and November 2019, Amanda Grigg (66) of Truro, Cornwall, Jose Kuriakose (50) of Deal, Kent, Gena Harrington (39) of Handsworth, Birmingham, Bindu Devasia (49) of Deal, Kent, and Nicholas Alcide (40) of Birmingham, transferred over £1,289,837 to two India-based brothers behind a network of companies* posing as well-known firms (including HP, Microsoft Norton, and Epson) to defraud consumers.

The fake companies posted adverts online to lure victims before leading them to believe there were issues with their computers, when in fact there were not. Victims were told that false problems could be fixed for a fee and were persuaded into allowing remote access to their computers.

The group laundered the money via a series of UK-based firms which only existed to receive payments from consumers, before forwarding it on to the fraudsters in India. They set themselves up as company directors and, in return, kept a percentage of the money for themselves.

One victim paid a total of £4,427.96 to people who he believed worked for HP to resolve a supposed issue with his computer. Someone calling himself Henry, posing as an HP representative, informed him that his computer had been hacked and demanded an immediate payment of £803.98 to fix it. The victim agreed to send a cheque the next day. Despite not noticing any other issues the victim received numerous calls informing him there were further issues with his computer and he was persuaded to make additional payments. The cycle of calls persisted for several months until he grew suspicious and made a report to Trading Standards.

The sentences handed down were as follows:

• Amanda Grigg – 3 years imprisonment, disqualified from being a company director for 6 years.
• Jose Kuriakose – 50 months' imprisonment, disqualified from being a company director for 6 years.
• Gena Harrington – 30 months’ imprisonment, disqualified from being a company director for 6 years.
• Bindu Devasia – 8 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 2 years. Disqualified from being a company director for 6 years and ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.
• Nicholas Alcide – 15 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 2 years. Disqualified from being a company director for 2 years and ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work.

Amanda Grigg, Gena Harrington, Bindu Devasia, Nicholas Alcide and Jose Kuriakose were found guilty of entering into a money laundering arrangement contrary to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

A further defendant will be sentenced later, following a Newton Hearing, and another faces trial separately in 2025.

Lord Michael Bichard, Chair of National Trading Standards, said:

“This group of money launderers had no qualms about enriching themselves off the back of vulnerable and elderly victims – deviously setting up a vast web of companies to hide their criminality.

“I commend the National Trading Standards eCrime team for their unwavering efforts to successfully bring prosecutions and disrupt a sophisticated global scam targeting UK consumers. I hope that the sentences handed down today will serve as a powerful reminder to all money launderers that they risk prosecution - regardless of how well-coordinated their operations may seem.

“If you or someone you know has fallen victim to a fraud like this, you should report it to the Citizens Advice consumer service helpline by calling 0808 223 1133.”

Mike Andrews, the National Coordinator for the National Trading Standards eCrime Team said:

"Whilst the defendants in this case weren’t directly responsible for the fraud, they helped make it happen, and facilitated its wider effect, so more victims suffered than should have done. Many of those victims were deeply affected by what happened and lost money they couldn’t afford. It’s fitting they were given custodial sentences and disqualified from being company directors."

Ruth Andrews, Regional Investigations & eCrime Team Manager at City of York Council, said:

“This case demonstrates that those who assist the main offenders, taking a hands-off approach to the fraud and turning a blind eye - despite their suspicions and multiple warning flags - will still be brought to justice.

“Without these defendants the fraud would not have worked, as their laundering of the proceeds of the offending was an essential element from which they also personally benefitted.

“We hope this sends a message to those of a like mind, who think it is acceptable to profit off the back of the frauds of others, including those targeted against older and vulnerable people.”

Amy Hogan-Burney, General Manager, Cybersecurity Policy & Protection at Microsoft said:

"Microsoft welcomes today's verdict and remains committed to working with governments and across industry to combat tech support fraud and hold perpetrators accountable.

"Importantly, Microsoft will never send unsolicited offers for tech support, and we urge our customers to be vigilant and to report any suspicious contact from someone claiming to be Microsoft or associated with us at microsoft.com/reportascam”.