30th November, 2024
Four fraudsters have been sentenced to prison for their roles in handling over 5,000 stolen phones and committing fraud, following an 18-month investigation by the Metropolitan Police.
Two of the group also used stolen devices to make purchases and take out loans, racking up losses of £5.1 million.
The fraudsters’ activities spanned across London, with officers believing many of the stolen phones were sold overseas.
According to the Met Police, victims were left devastated, with some losing thousands of pounds through fraudulent transfers or payments for designer goods.
Sentences handed down
The following fraudsters were sentenced: Zakaria Senadjki, 31, of Dartmouth Close, Notting Hill, was convicted of conspiracy to receive stolen goods, fraud by false representation, and possession of improper ID. He received eight years in prison.
Ahmed Abdelhakim Belhanafi, 25, of Dartmouth Close, Notting Hill, was sentenced to four years and eight months for conspiracy to receive stolen goods and fraud by false representation.
Nazih Cheraitia, 34, of Wales Farm Road, Acton, was sentenced to three years and five months for conspiracy to receive stolen goods and possession of improper ID, while Riyadh Mamouni, 25, also of Dartmouth Close, Notting Hill, was sentenced to two years and eight months for conspiracy to receive stolen goods.
Investigation and Arrest
Local officers from Lambeth and Southwark tracked the fraudsters after multiple victims reported their stolen phones had been traced to two London addresses.
Using Operation Ringtone, which employs phone tracking technology, Met officers identified suspects through extensive investigations at two blocks of flats.
The fraudsters were apprehended during early morning raids on 26 February. Officers discovered 170 stolen phones during the operation, although many more are believed to have been handled by the group.
Commander Owain Richards of the Metropolitan Police praised the officers’ efforts, stating: “This was excellent work by local officers in tracking down these individuals and ensuring justice was served. We understand the serious impact of phone thefts on Londoners and are intensifying efforts to address this issue.”
Richards called on phone manufacturers to make stolen devices harder to resell, revealing plans to engage with companies to discuss solutions.
Protecting against theft
The Met urged victims to use the national mobile phone register to help recover lost devices and advised the public to use strong passwords and two-factor authentication, disable message previews on lock screens to protect sensitive information and record and store IMEI numbers securely.
Over 64,000 phones were reported stolen in London last year, double the number from the previous two years. In response, the Met is increasing patrols in hotspot areas, deploying plainclothes officers, and collaborating with local businesses to curb phone theft.
