EU AND ISRAELI POLICE JOIN FORCES AGAINST SOCIAL ENGINEERING

Source: Europol

Headline: EU AND ISRAELI POLICE JOIN FORCES AGAINST SOCIAL ENGINEERING

Last week EU and the Israeli Police organised an EU expert workshop on social engineering. Experts from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France and Germany took part in the event with the aim of improving future information exchange between Israeli law enforcement and EU Member States.

The main activities covered at the event included comparing business email compromise attacks (BEC – also known as CEO fraud) both in EU Member States and Israel; examining best practice for cross-border investigations; and discussing new methods to counteract CEO/BEC fraud1. The workshop also looked at policing methods for network-based crime through networked organisations; improving capabilities in combatting CEO fraud; and enhancing cooperation in the field of CEO/BEC fraud between Europol and other law enforcement agencies in EU Member States.

These kinds of cases started in early 2010 with MTIC fraud (Missing Trader Intra-Community, also called missing trader fraud) with carbon credits. CEO fraud cases came soon after, followed by binary options fraud2 or FOREX scams3. EU law enforcement agencies, together with the Israeli Police, have since succeeded in arresting the money mules responsible. Investigators, EU experts and Israeli authorities arranged this event to find quicker ways of exchanging information and to build on achievements so far.

1 CEO/BEC fraud involves criminals impersonating company executives and tricking other employees into carrying out unauthorised wire transfers.

2 Binary options fraud is a fictitious short-term investment fraud.

3 FOREX scams are trading schemes used to defraud traders by convincing them to expect a high profit by trading in the foreign exchange market.

Appeal for teenager missing from east London

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Appeal for teenager missing from east London

Police are appealing for help to find a teenage girl who is missing from Havering.

Tiana Lyn, 14, was last seen at 11:30hrs on Friday, 16 February.

Tiana is described as black and of slim build. She now has burnt orange coloured hair in a ‘bob’ style; she no longer wears glasses. It is not known what she might be wearing.

She is known to have links with the Woolwich and Camden areas.

Anyone who has seen Tiana is asked to contact officers from the East Area Command Unit via 101 or @MetCC

UPDATE: Woman charged with Waltham Forest murder

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: UPDATE: Woman charged with Waltham Forest murder

Detectives investigating the death of a man in Waltham Forest have charged a woman with his murder.

[A] Carol Campling, 38 (31.07.1979) of no fixed address was charged on Sunday, 18 February with the murder of Mark Smith, 48 (18.07.69) of Garenne Court, Warren Road, E4

She will appear in custody at Thames Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 19 February.

A post-mortem examination took place at East Ham Mortuary on Saturday, 17 February, and gave Mr Smith’s cause of death as multiple injuries.

A 63-year-old man [B] who was arrested on suspicion of murder in the early hours of Friday, 16 February has been released under investigation.

Counterfeit euro print shop dismantled in Portugal with support of Europol

Source: Europol

Headline: Counterfeit euro print shop dismantled in Portugal with support of Europol

On 15 February, the Portuguese Judiciary Police, in cooperation with the Spanish National Police and Europol, detained two men and one woman, aged between 21 and 55 years, suspected of producing counterfeit euro currency.

In the course of the investigation, which started about six months ago, it was found that this group was responsible for producing thousands of banknotes, mainly EUR 20 and EUR 50, with the distribution particularly affecting Portugal and Spain. These counterfeits were detected in 8 other European countries: Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Belgium, Estonia, the Netherlands and Switzerland.

As part of this operation, 9 house searches were carried out, with 1 131 banknotes of EUR 20, 401 banknotes of EUR 50, 49 banknotes of EUR 500 with a total face value of EUR 67 170, as well as 14 banknotes of 10 000 francs from Central African Republic.

A complete illegal print shop was dismantled which included the seizure of guillotines, press dies, holographic tape rolls, computer and printers. Computer files related to this illegal activity were also identified.

Europol is the European Union’s Central Office for Combating Euro Counterfeiting. Our agency facilitates the exchange of information and provides expertise, criminal and forensic analysis, training, financial and technical support to law enforcement agencies inside and outside the European Union.

Appeal for witnesses to Lambeth stabbing

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Appeal for witnesses to Lambeth stabbing

Detectives are appealing for witnesses after a teenager was stabbed in Lambeth.

Police were called at approximately 14:10hrs on Monday, 22 January to reports of a group of males being attacked by a lone suspect armed with a knife on Fountain Place, SW9.

A 15-year-old boy suffered a stab wound to his torso. He and his friends ran off along Bramah Road and into Crawshay Road, where the victim collapsed inside a café.

The suspect followed them and tried to enter the café, but could not gain access as the door had been barricaded. He left and walked back towards Fountain Place.

Officers were called to the café, where they administered first aid prior to the arrival of the London Ambulance Service.

The boy was taken by ambulance to a south London hospital, where he was treated for his injuries before being discharged. Nobody else was injured in the assault.

Detective Constable Steven Fares, of Lambeth CID, said: “I urge anyone who may have seen this attack to come forward and speak to police as soon as possible.

“Luckily this victim didn’t suffer any life-changing injuries, unlike so many other victims of knife crime, but I still want to be sure we speak to as many witnesses as possible.

“This happened in a built-up, residential area, and I am appealing to anyone who may have seen or heard anything of the incident who has not yet spoken to police to contact me.”

Anyone with information should call Lambeth CID via 101, quoting reference 3921/22Jan

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

A 29-year-old man has been charged with multiple offences in connection with this incident.

PC found not proven of using unreasonable levels of force

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: PC found not proven of using unreasonable levels of force

An officer has been found not proven of using unreasonable levels of force.

PC James Nattrass, based on Merton Borough, faced a misconduct hearing which concluded on Friday, 16 February.

It was alleged that on 13 December 2014, PC Nattrass had used unlawful and/or unreasonable levels of force on a person, specifically pushing them and causing them to be lifted from their feet and fall to the ground.

In doing so, the officer faced allegations that his conduct was in breach of the Met’s standards of professional behaviour in respect of ‘use of force’.

The panel, having taken all the evidence including CCTV footage into consideration, found the case not proven.

The officer, who had been placed on restricted duties during the investigation, will now resume full duties.

Appeal for missing elderly man

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Appeal for missing elderly man

Police are appealing for the public’s help to find a missing 81-year-old man from Edgware.

William Battman, also known by the name ‘John’, was last seen at about 10:00hrs on Sunday, 18 February leaving his home address on Goldbeaters Grove to go for a short walk.

He is described as white, about 5ft 7ins tall and of thin build.

At the time of his disappearance he was wearing jeans, black shoes and a black cardigan. He has a walking stick

He is known to frequent the Edgware, Edmonton and Totteridge Lakes areas.

William is deaf and suffers from dementia and so he may be confused.

Officers are increasingly concerned for William’s wellbeing and would urge anyone with information on his whereabouts to call police on 101 or Missing People on 116000.

Two youths charged with murder of Newham teenager

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Two youths charged with murder of Newham teenager

Detectives investigating the murder of a teenager in Canning Town have arrested and charged two people.

On Saturday, 17 February, two 17-year-old males [A and B] were arrested.

Both were charged with the murder of 17-year-old Lord Promise Nkenda from Newham and further charged with robbery. They will appear in custody at Barkingside Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 19 February.

An investigation was launched after officers were called by London Ambulance Service shortly after 20:00hrs on Wednesday, 14 February to reports of a male suffering stab injuries on Goldwing Close, E16.

Officers attended and Lord Promise Nkenda – known as Promise – was pronounced dead at the scene at 20:38hrs.

A post-mortem examination at East Ham Mortuary on 15 February gave cause of death as stab wounds to the chest.

Detective Inspector Perry Benton from the Homicide and Major Crime Command is leading the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Homicide and Major Crime Command incident room on 020 8345 3775 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 quoting ref 8884/14FEB.

Rochester Man Pleads Guilty To Drug And Firearm Charges

Source: United States Attorneys General

Headline: Rochester Man Pleads Guilty To Drug And Firearm Charges

CONTACT:   Barbara Burns
PHONE:        (716) 843-5817
FAX #:           (716) 551-3051

BUFFALO, N.Y.- U.S. Attorney James P. Kennedy, Jr. announced today that Terry Wilson, 39, of Rochester, NY, pleaded guilty, before U.S. District Judge Lawrence J. Vilardo, to  possession with intent to distribute cocaine base and a felon in possession of a firearm. The charges carry a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $1,000,000 fine.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Laura A. Higgins who is handling the case, stated that on June 26, 2017, during a vehicle and traffic stop, the defendant was found in possession of a Jimenez Arms, J.A. NINE model, 9 mm semi-automatic pistol, bearing serial number 375367, which was loaded with 11 rounds of 9 mm ammunition. The traffic stop was made after the defendant was observed driving southbound on Bailey Avenue at a high rate of speed. Upon stopping the vehicle, the officers recognized the defendant from previous contacts with him and knew that he did not have a valid driver’s license. The officers patted the defendant down and recovered approximately 3.71 grams of cocaine base from the defendant’s pockets. The defendant admits that he possessed the cocaine base with intent to distribute it.

Thereafter, the defendant’s passenger was removed from the vehicle and the firearm was recovered from within the passenger’s purse. The defendant admits the firearm belonged to him and that he maintained dominion and control over the firearm while he stored it in the passenger’s purse.

The defendant admitted that on or about July 19, 2012, in Erie County Court, he was convicted of Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance in the Fifth Degree, which is a crime that is punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year.  The defendant further admitted that on or about June 22, 2005, he was convicted of Felon in Possession of a Firearm, which is a crime that is punishable by imprisonment for a term exceeding one year. 

The plea is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives, under the direction of Resident Agent in Charge Steve Dickey and the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of Acting Commissioner Byron Lockwood.

Sentencing is scheduled for May 23, 2018, at 9:30 a.m. before Judge Vilardo.

Officers investigating fatal stabbing of 19-year-old man in Kensington

Source: United Kingdom London Metropolitan Police

Headline: Officers investigating fatal stabbing of 19-year-old man in Kensington

Officers from the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command have launched a murder investigation after a man was fatally stabbed in Kensington.

At around 03:20hrs on Sunday, 18 February, officers on patrol were responding to reports of a large number of vehicles in Logan Place, W8, following a nearby party when they discovered a male with stab injuries.

They administered first aid prior to the arrival of London Ambulance Service.

Despite extensive efforts to revive him, the man, believed to be aged 19, was pronounced dead at the scene at 03:46hrs.

Enquiries are underway to inform next of kin. We await formal identification.

A post-mortem examination will be arranged in due course.

A 19-year-old man [A] was arrested near to the scene in connection with the incident. He has been taken to a west London police station where he remains in custody.

Detective Chief Inspector Mark Cranwell is leading the investigation. He said: “While we are in the very early stages of our investigation, we know there was a party at a nearby address on Earls Court Road around the time of this incident. We are still working to establish any link, but it does mean the area would have been busy with vehicles and pedestrians at the time.

“I want to hear from anyone who was in the area; did you witness an altercation? Every fragment of information is beneficial to our investigation and I would urge anyone who may know something to contact police immediately.”

Anyone with information can contact the incident room on 0208 721 4054, or call police on 101/ tweet @MetCC quoting ref 1177/18 FEB.

Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.