A UK gang that posed as police officers and ran a fake police website has been sentenced after stealing $5.4 million worth of cryptocurrency, according to Protos. The group used phone calls to convince crypto holders to move funds into so-called "safe accounts." Three members were sentenced this week: 23-year-old Hamza Bashir received six years and nine months, while 25-year-old Kevin Nwamma and 29-year-old Anthony Ikenwe were each sentenced to 11 years. Police said the stolen funds were spent on luxury goods, including a £60,000 car, holidays to Thailand and Japan, and purchases from Harrods, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, and Rolex. Officers also found £500,000 in cash in a safe and said most of the stolen cryptocurrency had been converted into payment cards. The Metropolitan Police traced the gang after receiving a victim report in January 2025.
A UK gang that posed as police officers and set up a fake police website has been sentenced after stealing $5.4 million worth of cryptocurrency, according to Protos. The group used phone calls to persuade crypto holders to transfer funds into so-called "safe accounts." Sentences were handed down this week.
Three members sentenced
Hamza Bashir, 23, was sentenced to six years and nine months in prison. Kevin Nwamma, 25, and Anthony Ikenwe, 29, each received 11-year prison terms.
Stolen funds spent on luxury purchases
Police said the stolen money was used to buy luxury goods, including a £60,000 car, holidays to Thailand and Japan, and purchases from Harrods, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, and Rolex.
Officers also found £500,000 in cash in a safe and said most of the stolen cryptocurrency had been converted into payment cards.
How police traced the case
Members of the gang also understated their annual income, with one reporting just £444. The Metropolitan Police tracked down the group after receiving a victim report in January 2025.
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