A massive worldwide operation led by the Met has seen a prolific cyber-criminal sent to prison for eight-and-a-half years.
Zak Coyne, 23, of Woodbine Road, Huddersfield, was sentenced for leading a website used by more than 2,000 criminals to defraud victims all over the world.
The LabHost service was set up by a criminal cyber network in 2021 to create “phishing” websites designed to trick victims into revealing personal data such as email addresses, passwords and bank details.
For a membership fee, users could log on and choose from existing sites or request bespoke pages replicating trusted brands including banks, healthcare agencies and postal services.
The platform was brought down in April 2024 after the Met’s Cyber Crime Unit gathered crucial intelligence and joined forces with partners across the country, including the National Crime Agency and Microsoft.
In the same month, the Met arrested 24 suspects, targeting the most prolific offenders within the LabHost service, while over 70 addresses were searched.
As part of the Met’s duty of care, officers safeguarded victims by establishing a helpline, directing people to protected advice on the Met website, and securing compromised accounts.
Specially trained officers offered personalised advice, including further protecting victims’ data and ensuring every case was reported to both Action Fraud and UK Finance.
Coyne admitted his crimes at Manchester Crown Court on Wednesday, 18 September.
These included making or supplying articles for use in frauds, encouraging or assisting the commission of an offence believing it would be committed, and transferring criminal property.
He was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court on Monday, 14 April.
