Two fraudsters, whose online scam using a notorious criminal website was smashed by the Serious Organised Crime Agency, were both locked-up yesterday (Friday) after 200 counterfeit credit card numbers were used to net £28,000 worth of camera equipment and other high value goods.
The pair bought credit card numbers on notorious criminal website ‘darkmarkets’ and goods they ordered were delivered to short-term accommodation addresses they rented with more bogus numbers.
Rayyaz Hassim, 32, and illegal overstayer Zaheer Mahomed, 28, both of Wilne Street, Leicester pleaded guilty that between March 24, 2006 and October 17, 2008, within the jurisdiction of the Central Criminal Court, they conspired together to steal goods belonging to Jessops, Ebuyer and other companies.
“This is a professional multiple-use fraud over a period of time. A custodial sentence is inevitable,” Judge Anthony Pitts told the pair at Southwark Crown Court, sentencing Hassim to fifteen months imprisonment and Mahomed six months.
The court heard police involved in Operation Rampart – the investigation of ‘darkmarkets’ – discovered the defendants were involved and raided the house they shared.
They seized a computer from Hassim’s bedroom, which contained full details of genuine credit cards, including names, numbers, dates of birth, passwords and expiry dates, which they used mostly to order camera equipment subsequently sold on eBay.
The items were delivered to short-term accommodation addresses, often holiday lets, then sold on.
Hassim claims his involvement was limited to £18-£20,000 worth of goods.
“You, Mahomed were aware that Hassim had access to card details and allowed your eBay account to be used for fraudulent transactions and you also made deliveries,” announced Judge Pitts.
“Not everyone can get on darkmarkets. You have to prove you are a criminal, join the club as it were, and that’s what you, Hassim, were doing and you were allowed access to the website.”
Hassim’s seized computer with all the credit card information provided the telltale evidence police needed.
“They spanned nine different banks and were used to buy high-value goods on the Internet, computers and cameras that were delivered to short-term lets.
“Hassim was number one and Mahomed played a lesser role in allowing use of your computer knowing Hassim had access to compromised cards.
“Hassim was clearly the man in charge of the operation,” added Judge Pitts, giving both defendants, first-time offenders, credit for expressing “genuine remorse.”
Neither defendants are British nationals, but the Judge made no recommendation for deportation.
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