14 DAY TRIAL // Scotland Yard has revealed that the activities of the Metropolitan Police Service's (MPS) Police Central e-Crime Unit (PCeU) saved the United Kingdom economy a total of £1.01 billion ($1.6 billion / €1.2 billion) in the last 2.5 years.
Authorities are very pleased, since this amount represents double the target. Furthermore, it has been achieved in half of the time expected.
The Financial Harm Reduction & Performance Report, which focuses on the amount of money the UK has saved by combating cybercrime, reveals that a total of 126 suspects have been charged, and 89 cyber criminals have been convicted. An additional 30 individuals are awaiting trial.
British authorities have managed to disrupt 26 national and international cybercrime rings, sending 61 criminals to a total of 184 years in jail – an average of around three years in prison for each individual.
According to the report, police have prevented loss of around £74 million ($118 million / €88 million) in Operation Allandale. Three individuals suspected of running a conspiracy to defraud banks from all over the world via a sophisticated phishing scam were arrested as part of this operation.
“The PCeU has exceeded all expectations in respect of making the UK’s cyber space more secure. This is due to its innovative partnership work with industry and law enforcement across the globe and its dynamic system for developing intelligence, enforcing the law and quickly putting protection measures in place,” said Commander Steve Rodhouse.
PCeU Detective Superintendent Terry Wilson commented, “The creation of three regional hubs across the UK has strengthened the national response to cyber crime. We have worked closely with partners from across the globe to reduce the financial harm to thousands of UK citizens and businesses, as well as securing the convictions many cyber criminals who have targeted the UK.”