UK Fake-Police Crypto Gang (2026)
Summary
A three-man gang based in London and Essex impersonated Metropolitan Police officers, created counterfeit police websites, and defrauded at least eight victims of more than £4 million (approximately $5.4 million USD) in cryptocurrency between 2024 and 2025. Anthony Ikenwe (29), Kevin Nwamma (25), and Hamza Bashir (23) were sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on July 16, 2026, to prison terms of six years, six years, and three years nine months respectively. Proceeds were laundered through complex financial networks and partially held as £500,000 in cash in a Dubai safety deposit box.
Connected Entities
1 entitiesTimeline(5 events)
2025-01-01
Victims began reporting the fraud to the Metropolitan Police, triggering a dedicated investigation by the Met's Cryptocurrency Team.
Metropolitan Police2025-11-20
Metropolitan Police executed coordinated warrants simultaneously at seven addresses across London and Essex, seizing 40 mobile phones, digital devices, cryptocurrency, and luxury goods.
Metropolitan Police2025-11-21
Anthony Ikenwe, Kevin Nwamma, and Hamza Bashir were arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering.
Metropolitan Police2026-04-01
Anthony Ikenwe and Kevin Nwamma pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud and money laundering charges. Hamza Bashir initially denied involvement.
CoinCentral2026-07-16
All three defendants sentenced at Southwark Crown Court. Ikenwe: 6 years. Nwamma: 6 years. Bashir: 3 years 9 months. Sentences for money laundering ran concurrently.
Metropolitan PoliceDecision Log
- #1publish⛓ pending7/25/2026, 11:25:29 PMhash: 5WVHwFX99g9DvxbHVbKzU9TKqijuknHuWVuyuJWMKEoV
model: claude-sonnet-4-6
generated: 7/25/2026, 11:25:20 PM
last updated: 7/25/2026, 11:25:29 PM
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