Ewan McGavin, a 31-year-old man from Bolton, was convicted of encouraging or assisting in the creation of an article intended for fraud. He conspired with a 16-year-old teenager, Blaine Flatt, to build a fake Amazon website designed to steal users' financial information. The scheme never went live but posed a significant risk to unsuspecting internet users.
A computer-savvy individual dubbed a 'loner' conspired with a teenager to create a fraudulent Amazon website, aiming to exploit vulnerable individuals less proficient in technology. The court was informed that Ewan McGavin, 31, engaged Blaine Flatt, then 16, to construct the deceptive site with the intention of extracting financial data from unsuspecting users. While the phishing scheme never went operational, it carried the potential to defraud a substantial number of internet users.
McGavin, hailing from Horwich, Bolton, refuted any wrongdoing but was found guilty following a trial of inciting or aiding in the creation of material intended for fraud. The Merthyr Crown Court in south Wales learned that Flatt, now 21, had already received a sentence. McGavin, according to the court, approached Flatt in 2018 and compensated him with over £2,000 to develop a so-called phishing website impersonating an Amazon webpage dedicated to refunds. The site, bearing the address 'amzconfimations.us', was designed to steal users' login credentials and financial information, such as bank card numbers. Communication between the pair transpired via WhatsApp, with McGavin instructing Flatt to maintain utmost secrecy regarding their actions. However, the court revealed that disagreements over payment arose between them, leading to the site never being launched.The court was initially made aware of Flatt's involvement after he was linked to a Pinterest account containing illicit images of children. On November 19, 2020, police visited his residence in Bryn Cigfran, Bridgend, and seized electronic devices including iPhones, an iPad, a laptop, and a hard drive. Forensic examination of the devices revealed over 180 indecent and abusive images of children. Officers also discovered cannabis and WhatsApp messages indicating Flatt's involvement in drug dealing. In February last year, Flatt was sentenced to 24 months in prison, suspended for 24 months, and ordered to perform 200 hours of unpaid community work. He was also subjected to a 10-year sexual harm prevention order and designated a registered sex offender for the same duration. During his sentencing hearing, Flatt's barrister, Andrew Taylor, disclosed that the case experienced a delay due to Flatt absconding and being believed to be in Asia. He stated that his client was 16 years old when the offenses commenced and had endured a challenging upbringing.McGavin, residing at St Bride's Close, Horwich, had a previous conviction for shoplifting in 2013, the court heard. His barrister, Ian Jobling, presented mitigating arguments, highlighting a 'strangeness' in McGavin's demeanor observed during the trial. Mr. Jobling emphasized McGavin's prior experience in prison on remand and requested the judge to consider suspending any imposed sentence. Judge Eugene Egan stated that the fake Amazon website's objective was to 'target vulnerable, less tech-savvy individuals' and deceive them into divulging personal information, which McGavin could subsequently utilize 'for criminal purposes'. He observed that based on his assessment of McGavin, gleaned from both written accounts and his courtroom conduct, he perceived him as 'a bit of a loner, a bit isolated from mainstream society'. Sentencing McGavin to 30 months imprisonment, Judge Egan acknowledged McGavin's computer skills and his capacity to earn a legitimate living. He stipulated that McGavin will serve up to half of the 30 months in custody before being released on licence. Following the sentencing, temporary detective sergeant Jack Harris of Tarian, the southern Wales organized crime squad, issued a public warning regarding website safety. He stated: 'I hope this case demonstrates to cyber criminals and fraudsters operating in the UK that you will be pursued by us and brought to justice. This type of offending can cause serious harm and distress to members of the public who are unfortunate enough to be targeted by phishing scams.' He further elaborated on phishing, defining it as an attempt by criminals to exploit scam websites or emails to trick victims into revealing personal or financial information or downloading malicious files. These websites or emails are designed to mimic legitimate companies or organizations to instill trust in unsuspecting recipients
Crime Phishing Amazon Fraud Cybercrime Teenager Courts Sentencing
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