UK Court Sentences Three Men to 28 Years for £4 Million Crypto Theft Via Police Impersonation

According to the Metropolitan Police's Cryptocurrency Team, a UK court sentenced three men to a combined 28 years and nine months in prison on July 16 for stealing over £4 million in cryptocurrency from eight victims. Anthony Ikenwe, 29, and Kevin Nwamma, 25, each received six years' imprisonment for conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering. Hamza Bashir, 23, received three years and nine months. The gang created convincing fake police websites to convince targets their digital assets were at risk, then directed transfers to wallets they controlled.

Blockchain analysis by the Metropolitan Police, conducted alongside financial records and exchange data, dismantled the network after victims first reported the fraud in January 2025. Officers executed coordinated warrants across London and Essex on November 20, 2025, arresting all three and seizing 40 mobile phones and cryptocurrency assets. Approximately £1 million linked to victim funds has been recovered so far.