Tube Scam Gang Busted After Off-Duty Detective Spots High-Tech Fraud
A cunning gang using “SMS blasters” to rip off commuters has been locked up after an off-duty British Transport Police (BTP) detective spotted their plot on the London Tube.
High-Tech Scam Foiled on Northern Line
The crooked crew targeted innocent travellers with mass texts impersonating Royal Mail and Evri, tricking victims into handing over personal bank details. The fraudsters sent fake delivery failure alerts with dangerous links, stealing over £80,000 in total.
The scam unravelled when the off-duty detective noticed a suspicious man at King’s Cross Tube station in March 2025. His suitcase had holes flashing green light — inside was a device called an SMS blaster. This gadget fakes a cell tower to send fake texts and trap phone users.
Four Fraudsters Jailed in Inner London Crown Court
- Zhijia Fan, 48 – Kingpin behind the scam from Acton, jailed for 4 years 8 months.
- Daoyan Shang, 20 – Fan’s right-hand man from Shepherd’s Bush, got 2 years 10 months.
- Wan Mohd Hafiz, 41 – Caught with second blaster at Baker Street, locked up for 1 year 2 months.
- Gatis Lauks, 25 – Key player buying gift cards with stolen details, received 2 years suspended sentence.
Police Smash Sophisticated Commuter Scam Ring
Intelligence led police to Fan and Shang’s homes, where they uncovered antennas, power units, and 10,832 gift cards loaded with cash stolen from victims. Lauks operated under Fan, buying these cards using hacked bank info.
BTP officers arrested Fan in Acton and Shang at Baker Street on the same day as Hafiz’s arrest. The gang’s clever ploy was smashed thanks to quick police action and the off-duty detective’s sharp eyes, protecting London commuters from another costly scam.
