September 2, 2024 at 01:51PM
Three men pleaded guilty to running OTP.Agency, an online platform that provided social engineering help to obtain OTPs from customers of U.K. banks. They targeted over 12,500 people and made potential earnings of up to £7.9 million. The trio faces fraud and money laundering charges, with maximum prison sentences of 10 and 14 years, respectively. Hearing is set for November 2.
The meeting notes summarize the involvement of three individuals in running OTP.Agency, an online platform that facilitated the illegal acquisition of one-time passcodes (OTPs) to access individuals’ bank accounts and perform fraudulent activities. The individuals involved are Callum Picari, Vijayasidhurshan Vijayanathan, and Aza Siddeeque. They targeted over 12,500 people between September 2019 and March 2021. The National Crime Agency (NCA) intervened and shut down the OTP.Agency website.
The individuals faced charges of conspiracy to commit fraud and conspiracy to make and supply articles for use in fraud, with Picari also facing money laundering charges. The potential maximum prison sentences for the first two charges are up to 10 years, while money laundering carries a punishment of up to 14 years. The Snaresbrook Crown Court is scheduled to determine the exact sentences during a hearing on November 2. The NCA estimates that the group could have made up to £7.9 million from their illegal activities.
Additionally, the meeting notes mention that the criminal group ran a Telegram group with over 2,200 members to communicate and promote their illegal services.
Overall, the individuals’ actions are tied to serious criminal charges, with potential significant financial gains at the expense of the victims.