CryptoPotato • October 11th 2026, 9:48 PM
London Man Convicted for Complex Crypto SIM-Swap Scheme
Key Summary
A 25-year-old London man has been sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for his role in a SIM-swap crypto theft scheme that resulted in £200,000 in losses for four victims. The scheme involved using stolen phone numbers to access victims' crypto wallets, with the perpetrator using the stolen funds to finance luxurious vacations and expensive purchases.
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Background of the Case
The City of London Police identified a complex SIM-swap fraud scheme in November 2021, which resulted in four victims losing £200,000 worth of crypto. Ajay Shinjin, also known as AJ Marley Cruz, was involved in the scheme and received over £44,000 from the proceeds of crime.Investigation and Arrest
BT spotted unauthorized activity on its systems, which led to the identification of several suspects. Shinjin was attributed to four of the devices and was arrested at Heathrow Airport in October 2023.Guilty Plea and Sentencing
Shinjin entered a guilty plea in late September 2026 and was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison. The City of London Police highlighted the complexity and calculation of the scheme, which caused significant financial harm to the victims.Comparison to Earlier UK Case
A similar UK crypto case reached a courtroom in late September 2025, in which Zhimin Qian pleaded guilty to acquiring criminal property in the form of crypto. The case was tied to the world's largest cryptocurrency seizure, with over 61,000 BTC worth over £5.5 billion ($7.43 billion) seized.#London#UK#Crypto#SIMswap#Cybercrime