In the early hours of Thursday, 29 June, police executed warrants in relation to an ongoing investigation into a text-based scam where fraudsters have been attempting to steal personal details.
Two warrants were executed at addresses in south east London this morning by the Met’s Cyber Crime Unit. A 21-year-old male [A] was arrested for fraud by false representation at an address in Bexleyheath and another 21-year-old male [B] was arrested at an address in Lewisham for the same offence. Both remain in custody.
The arrests relate to Op Facelake, a proactive investigation by the Met’s Cyber Crime Unit, alongside West Midlands Regional Economic Crime Unit (ROCU) into the ‘Hi Mum’ or ‘Hey Mum’ scam. This scam can see criminals try to steal personal information and money by making it look like they’re contacting you from a family member or friend, often who has ‘lost their phone’ and therefore contacting you from a different number. Moving conversations on to trying to get a financial sum from you – often to pay for the supposed lost phone – it is believed UK victims are losing £3.6 million a year to this scam.
Head of the Met’s Cyber Crime Unit Detective Superintendent Helen Rance, said: “The criminals conducting these scams can be very convincing. This is an absolutely devastating crime for so many people, who are acting in good faith believing that a loved one needs their help. To be tricked financially as a result of this good nature is abhorrent.
“We will continue to go after and arrest those responsible in this investigation, as well as any other criminal online behaviour.
“Our message to criminals carrying out these scams is that we are working hard to locate you, regardless of where you are.”
Working alongside the Met, Thames Valley Police also executed a search warrant this morning, Thursday, 29 June, at an address in High Wycombe. A 21-year-old man [C] was arrested for fraud by false representation and remains in custody.
This follows previous Op Facelake arrests for fraud by false representation by the Met’s Cyber Crime Unit.
On Monday, 13 March a 25-year-old man [D] being arrested at an address in St Albans and a 22-year-old man [E] at an address in Ruislip – both have been bailed to a date in September.
Officers from the West Midlands ROCU have also made arrests for the same offence.
On Wednesday, 24 May, a 22-year-old man [F] was arrested and has been bailed pending further enquiries to a date in late August.
A 23-year-old man [G] was arrested on Tuesday, 27 June and has been bailed to a date in late September.
Enquiries into the scam remain ongoing.
