A British student was sentenced to seven years in prison for selling more than 1,000 phishing kits impersonating legitimate entities in 24 countries.
The individual, Ollie Holman, 21, of Eastcote, West London, was initially arrested in October 2023, and then again in May 2024. On both occasions, law enforcement seized devices containing digital evidence liking him to his online activities.
Holman, who pleaded guilty to seven counts, admitted to selling phishing kits containing fraudulent web pages that tricked victims into sharing their personal and financial information with cybercriminals.
According to UK law enforcement, Holman built and sold 1,052 phishing kits that targeted 69 financial institutions and large organizations, including charities, causing more than £100 million (approximately $134 million) in losses, globally.
Scripts within the fraudulent web pages collected the user-supplied information, including login credentials and banking information.
Holman sold the phishing kits over Telegram, and provided cybercriminals with advice and technical assistance in committing fraud. Authorities say that, even after he was arrested in 2023, he continued to provide support for the phishing kits through his Telegram channel.
Following the sentencing, authorities will take Holman back to court to pursue the confiscation of the illegal proceeds.
“By creating and selling phishing kits, Ollie Holman facilitated a widespread fraud which others used to exploit innocent victims on a vast scale,” Crown Prosecution Service specialist prosecutor Sarah Jennings said.
“I hope this case sends a clear message to those who intend on committing fraud: no matter how sophisticated your methods, you cannot hide behind online anonymity or encrypted platforms. Fraudsters like Holman will be robustly pursued by law enforcement, prosecuted by the CPS, and brought to justice,” Jennings added.
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