Four fraudsters have been sentenced to prison for their involvement in handling over 5,000 stolen phones and committing fraud, following an extensive 18-month investigation by the Metropolitan Police. Two members of the group used the stolen devices to make purchases and take out loans, leading to £5.1 million in financial losses.
The fraudsters operated across London, and many of the stolen phones were believed to have been sold overseas. Victims were left devastated, with some suffering significant financial losses due to fraudulent transfers and payments for designer goods.
Sentences Handed Down
The fraudsters received the following sentences:
Zakaria Senadjki, 31, of Notting Hill, received 8 years in prison for conspiracy to receive stolen goods, fraud by false representation, and possession of improper ID.
Ahmed Abdelhakim Belhanafi, 25, of Notting Hill, was sentenced to 4 years and 8 months for conspiracy to receive stolen goods and fraud by false representation.
Nazih Cheraitia, 34, of Acton, was sentenced to 3 years and 5 months for conspiracy to receive stolen goods and possession of improper ID.
Riyadh Mamouni, 25, of Notting Hill, received 2 years and 8 months for conspiracy to receive stolen goods.
Operation Ringtone Leads to Arrests
The investigation, dubbed Operation Ringtone, used phone tracking technology to identify suspects. Police traced stolen phones to two London addresses and conducted early morning raids on February 26, recovering 170 stolen phones. However, the group is believed to have handled many more.
Commander Owain Richards of the Metropolitan Police praised the efforts of local officers and emphasized the severe impact phone theft has on the public. He urged phone manufacturers to improve measures to prevent the resale of stolen devices.
Protecting Against Phone Theft
The Met urged phone owners to use the national mobile phone register to help recover lost devices and recommended using strong passwords, two-factor authentication, and recording IMEI numbers.
The number of phones reported stolen in London has surged, with over 64,000 phones stolen last year—double the number from previous years. In response, the Met is increasing patrols in hotspots, deploying plainclothes officers, and working with local businesses to reduce phone theft.
