TL;DR: On October 8, 2026, a 25-year-old man was sentenced at Inner London Crown Court to two and a half years for helping steal almost £200,000 in cryptocurrency from several victims using SIM-swapping. He received over £44,000 of the stolen funds. The offences date from November 2021.

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What happened

City of London Police report that the man pleaded guilty on September 28, 2026 to conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and transferring criminal property. SIM-swapping lets criminals take control of a victim’s phone number to intercept one-time passcodes.

In early November 2021, BT found unauthorised activity in which customer phone numbers were transferred to SIM cards controlled by criminals. Data from BT helped identify suspects, and he was linked to four SIM-swap devices. Four victims lost roughly £40,000, £17,000, £8,000 and £130,000 in the first week of November 2021.

Police say he spent his share of over £44,000 on luxury holidays in Dubai, a high-end apartment and gold-plated teeth grills. He was first arrested in 2021 and re-arrested at Heathrow Airport in October 2023 after further evidence emerged.

Why it works

Once a criminal controls your number, text-message codes arrive on their phone, not yours. That can unlock email, exchange accounts and banking, and the victim may only notice when their phone loses signal.

The police release does not give specific prevention tips, but the method is clear: attackers need your number and enough personal detail to convince a provider or use an insider route.

Background: our explainers on how common SIM swapping is in 2026 and setting up passkeys and an authenticator app. See also 31 Arrests in Crackdown on Online Fraud-as-a-Service Groups and Romance Fraudster Jailed 7 Years After £180,000 Inheritance Lie. For wider numbers, see our data page on breaches loaded into Have I Been Pwned.

Practical steps

If you have already sent money

Contact your bank immediately, using the number on your card or by dialling 159, and ask about stopping the payment and reimbursement, then report it to Report Fraud on 0300 123 2040. Our guides on UK fraud reporting and APP reimbursement rules, UK bank impersonation scams and how to reverse a wire transfer scam explain what to expect, and what to do after a scam, wherever you live covers the first 24 hours. Scammers often start with details taken from past leaks, so run our free digital footprint check to see what of yours is already exposed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a SIM swap?

Criminals take control of a victim’s phone number by moving it to a SIM card they control so they can intercept one-time passcodes, according to City of London Police.

How much was stolen in this case?

Almost £200,000 in cryptocurrency from multiple victims; four victims lost roughly £40,000, £17,000, £8,000 and £130,000 in the first week of November 2021.

What sentence did the man get?

Two and a half years’ imprisonment at Inner London Crown Court, reported on October 8, 2026.

How can I make a SIM swap harder?

Add a PIN to your mobile account, use an authenticator app or passkey instead of text codes, and contact your provider immediately if your phone loses signal.

Sources

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