Software fraudster jailed after impersonating Microsoft
Conman involved in scam that stole £400,000 from victims after claiming to remotely fix their computers
A fraudster has been sentenced to 28 months behind bars after impersonating Microsoft and claiming to fix victims' computers, while actually installing malicious software.
Baljindher Singh (pictured), 39, of Marshall Wallace Road, South Shields, was part of a scamming group that contacted victims and told them of a fault on their computer, which they said they would fix for a fee.
The group would then install software on the machines to steal more money.
Singh was identified as part of a scam that was based in Delhi, India, and would send money back to the region after having victims pay into a UK bank account.
It is believed that he helped steal £400,000 from victims, pocketing "tens of thousands of pounds" for himself.
The investigation was carried out by City of London Police and the North East Special Operations Unit (NERSOU), with support from Microsoft.
The police force said that Singh is just the third person to be convicted of software fraud in the UK, after pleading guilty at Newcastle Crown Court on 3 December. He was jailed today (25 February).
He also admitted possession of criminal property with intent to money launder.
Abrahim Bakhtiar, senior attorney with Microsoft's Digital Crimes Unit, said: "This is a great result for people who have been targeted by or fallen victim to these criminals.
"We work closely with law enforcement both here in the UK and internationally to tackle this kind of fraud and we have recently expanded our cybersecurity programme to further safeguard our customers.
"We'd like to reassure all users of our products that Microsoft will never cold call you out of the blue.
"If you receive an unsolicited tech support call or pop up from anyone claiming to be from Microsoft or representing Microsoft then it is a scam."
City of London Police said that the average age of victims of this crime is 62, with the average pay-out standing at £600.
The force said that, in the financial year ending 31 March 2017, it received over 34,500 computer software service fraud reports with estimated losses pegged at more than £20m.
NERSOU's detective constable Andrew Smith said: "These are very complex investigations and that is why there have only ever been three convictions of computer software fraud in the UK.
"It is an international operation and Baljinder Singh was one cog in the machine that committed frauds to the tune of millions of pounds.
"He acted as the money man and used his accounts to pass the proceeds of the fraud back to these conmen based overseas.
"Thanks to the hard work of our detectives and officers at the City of London Police, he has been brought before the court and convicted.
"It is worth noting that this investigation was greatly helped by the co-operation of Microsoft and their commitment to securing justice for victims of crime."