A man has been sentenced at Leeds Crown Court today (Tuesday 10 February) for laundering more than £580,000 as part of a large-scale computer support scam that saw over £2 million transferred to fraudsters overseas. The fraud affected several hundred victims across the UK, many of whom were misled into paying for unnecessary or meaningless computer “repairs” at hugely inflated prices.
Gyaltse Yolmo, 42, of Purton, Swindon,was sentenced to 38 months in prison,with half to be spent in custody, after pleading guilty to money laundering, contrary to the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002. The court also disqualified Yolmo from being a company director for 6 years.
An investigation led by the National Trading Standards eCrime Team exposed an organised network of money launderers handling the proceeds of a computer services fraud designed to target UK consumers. The scam was run by two India-based brothers, while money launderers in the UK helped move and conceal the criminal proceeds. Many victims were elderly or lacked confidence using computers. Yolmo is the final member of the laundering network to be sentenced.
Victims were lied to, told there were problems with their computers and persuaded to pay for unnecessary or meaningless “repairs” at hugely inflated prices. In many cases, they were also persuaded to grant remote access to their computers. Some victims were repeatedly contacted over months and encouraged to make further payments.
The brothers operated a network of companies posing as well-known and trusted technology brands including HP, Microsoft and Norton. Misleading Google and Bing adverts were placed online, giving consumers the false impression they were dealing with legitimate firms.
Between November 2015 and January 2019, Yolmo was the sole director of UK Infotech Technology Ltd, one company of several which existed to receive payments from victims of the fraud. The court heard that the company received hundreds of thousands of pounds from victims, with the majority of that money subsequently transferred to the fraudsters in India.
As well as significant financial loss, victims described how the fraud caused intense stress and anxiety. Many were elderly and described the money lost as “a large sum” they could not afford, leaving them embarrassed, shaken and fearful of using computers or the internet again. Some described losing sleep and feeling mentally exhausted after realising they had been deceived. In many cases, victims paid more for the supposed “repairs” than it would have cost to buy a new computer. One victim alone paid more than £4,400 to people he believed worked for HP.
As part of this investigation, six other defendants were previously sentenced to a combined total of over 12 years’ imprisonment for laundering the proceeds of the same fraud.
The National Trading Standards eCrime Team is hosted by City of York Council and North Yorkshire Council. Support for this investigation was provided by officers from West Midlands, Staffordshire and Wiltshire police services.
Lord Bichard, Chair of National Trading Standards, said:
“The victims of this fraud were deliberately targeted, misled and frightened into believing their computers were compromised. They were pressured into handing over money and left feeling anxious, distressed and fearful of using technology they once relied upon. One even compared the experience to having a criminal intrude into their home.
“Today’s sentencing underlines that those who profit by enabling fraud, and who help keep these crimes running, will be held fully accountable.
“If you or someone you know has fallen victim to a fraud like this, you should report it to the Citizens Advice consumer service helpline by calling 0808 223 1133.”
Mike Andrews, National Coordinator of the National Trading Standards eCrime Team, said:
“This National Trading Standards investigation disrupted a sophisticated global fraud operation that targeted UK consumers
“Whilst Gyaltse Yolmo was not directly responsible for the scam itself, his role in laundering criminal funds was essential to its operation. By setting up and running a company to process payments, he helped take victims’ money and left people feeling embarrassed, ashamed and deeply shaken.”
Notes to Editors
About National Trading Standards
National Trading Standards delivers national and regional consumer protection enforcement. Its Board is made up of senior and experienced heads of local government trading standards from around England and Wales with an independent Chair. Its purpose is to protect consumers and safeguard legitimate businesses by tackling serious national and regional consumer protection issues.