Overview
- On Thursday, July 16 the Southwark Crown Court jailed Anthony Ikenwe, Kevin Nwamma and Hamza Bashir for conspiracy to defraud and money laundering after a Met Police prosecution.
- The trio cold‑called at least eight victims, posed as police, directed them to convincing fake police websites and persuaded them to hand over crypto wallets or account details.
- A Met Cryptocurrency Team investigation that began after victim reports in January 2025 used blockchain tracing, exchange records and device forensics to link the offences and support prosecutions.
- Officers executed coordinated warrants on 20 November 2025, seized about 40 mobile phones plus luxury goods and crypto assets, and have recovered roughly £1 million of victim‑linked funds so far.
- Police say stolen proceeds funded cars, designer goods, holidays and large cash holdings overseas and that international partners are being used to trace remaining assets and identify others involved.