Grant West, a self taught computer expert, was arrested by a group of undercover police on a train from Wales to London for sending phishing emails to customers of popular companies such as Uber, Apple, Sainsbury's, Ladbrokes and Just Eat with a primary focus on those who order food online from famous websites such as Sainsbury’s and Just Eat.
His aim was to lure customers into revealing their credit card details, to aid in making that happen, he coerced the victims into filling out online surveys that later asked for credit card details. The computer hacker used to then sell the information to criminals on the dark web.
His common tactic involved offering customers a 10 euro discount on their next order if they filled out a form.
London police began investigating Grant West after he conned details from Just Eat customers between July 2015 and December 2015, using a scam in which customers received a bogus email offering a voucher in return for answering questions about the service. Police also caught him on the dark web, apparently finalising a deal. Besides possessing half a kilo of cannabis, he also admitted to all other charges.
For 2 years, he collected 165,000 customer details solely from Just Eat. He operated under the pseudonym, Courvoisier.
Detectives later found he had 63,000 credit and debit card details - and seized more than £500,000 in bitcoins belonging to West. Through this stolen money, he used to fund a lavish lifestyle, including luxury cars and exotic holidays.
He admitted charges including conspiracy to commit fraud, computer misuse, and drug offences.
West’s jail time is yet to be announced with the verdict is expected to be out on May 25. He is expected to be fined heavily and be behind the bars for a good few years. All Internet users should be aware of phishing emails as they have been used to hack unsuspecting victim for years.
