United Kingdom: Issued ruling in NCA investigation into Russian Coms over scam calls and financial losses

On 1 August 2024, the National Crime Agency (NCA) issued information following its investigation into Russian Coms over scam calls and financial losses. In particular, the NCA has shut down Russian Coms, holding it responsible for 1.8 million scam calls and tens of millions in financial losses since its establishment in 2021. The platform, used by hundreds of criminals, enabled users to spoof phone numbers of trusted institutions to defraud an estimated 170’000 people in the UK. Between 2021 and 2024, over 1.3 million calls were made to 500’000 unique UK numbers, with victims reporting average losses of over GBP 9’400. The NCA arrested three individuals connected to the platform, believed to be its developers and administrators, who have been released on conditional bail. The platform was marketed through social media and offered services such as unlimited minutes and encrypted calls. Users paid GBP 1’ 200 to GBP 1’400 for a six-month handset contract or GBP 350 per month for the web app, paid in cryptocurrency. The NCA's operation, supported by Europol and other international law enforcement, led to the platform's shutdown in March 2024 and subsequent arrests. The fraudsters impersonated reputable companies to steal funds, access bank accounts, and collect physical debit and credit cards under false pretences. Victims of all ages from 107 countries, including the USA, New Zealand, and France, suffered losses.