A tech student who sold phishing kits for fraudsters to scam victims out of £100million has been jailed.
Ollie Holman enjoyed a ‘lavish lifestyle’ as a result of selling the kits while victims, which included companies and charities across 24 countries, were targeted.
The kits contained fake webpages to trick victims into sharing personal and financial information.
The webpages, designed to look real, harvested information, including log-ins and bank details.
The 21-year-old studying at Canterbury University shared the pages via Telegram, where he shared advice with others on how to commit fraud, Southwark Crown Court heard.
Holman was arrested at his accommodation in October 2023.
He admitted two counts of encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence, two of making or supplying articles for use in fraud and transferring, acquiring and possessing criminal property.
He was jailed for seven years and made subject to a serious crime prevention order at Southwark Crown Court.
Ollie Holman enjoyed a ‘lavish lifestyle’ as a result of selling the kits while victims, which included companies and charities across 24 countries, were targeted
He was jailed for seven years and made subject to a serious crime prevention order at Southwark Crown Court.
The charges followed an investigation by the City of London Police, supported by police in Switzerland and Finland.
Sarah Jennings, Specialist Prosecutor for the Crown Prosecution Service, said: ‘By creating and selling phishing kits, Ollie Holman facilitated a widespread fraud which others used to exploit innocent victims on a vast scale.
‘Holman acted with greed and profited handsomely from this illegal enterprise, funding his own lavish lifestyle at the expense of countless individuals and businesses who suffered devastating financial losses and emotional harm.
‘The prosecution team, working closely with City of London Police and international partners, was able to build a strong case with clear, compelling evidence, resulting in the defendant’s guilty pleas.
‘I hope this case sends a clear message to those intent on committing fraud: no matter how sophisticated your methods, you cannot hide behind online anonymity or encrypted platforms.
‘Fraudsters like Holman will be robustly pursued by law enforcement, prosecuted by the CPS, and brought to justice.’
Holman, of Eastcote, west London, will now face confiscation proceedings.
