Ukranian nationals [G] Serhiy FEDORENKO, 27 yrs and [X] Vitaliy MOSIYCHUK, 33 yrs were jailed for nearly seven years after both were arrested by detectives from the Police Central e-Crime Unit (PCeU) following previous attempts to evade police.

Today's result is the culmination of a complex and protracted investigation, codenamed Operation Lath, which has now seen a total of 15 people jailed for their part in a sophisticated international online fraud which attacked the bank accounts of hundreds of online customers.

The fraud was perpetrated through the use of banking 'Trojans' to infect the personal computers of bank account holders and subsequently secure funds from them. The malicious software programme was able to capture confidential information, such as usernames, passwords and account numbers. These details were then used to access those accounts without the knowledge of the owners. Funds were then transferred to a large number of receiving accounts controlled by the group.

Fedorenko was arrested on 26 October 2011 after officers making inquiries at a money service bureau in Plumstead in connection with the investigation recognised his face from a fake passport that had been used by the network to send fraudulently obtained funds abroad.

On his arrest Fedorenko was found to be in possession of a further fake identity card and bank cards in the false name of Ruslan Bogarty.

He was charged with numerous Identity Card Act and Fraud Act offences and remanded in custody to appear at Bexleyheath Magistrates' Court on 28 October.

During court proceedings that day officers noticed a man in the public gallery who resembled Mosiychuk, who had been previously been arrested on 28 September in connection with the investigation, but had failed to return on police bail.

When spoken to by police he produced a fake Polish ID card and seven bank cards under a false name. He was arrested and subsequently charged with a number of Identity Card Act offences.

It is understood his role within the network was to open numerous UK bank accounts using fake eastern European identity cards and passports. Once opened, fraudulently obtained funds were passed through those accounts on behalf of both himself and others.

Fedorenko's role was similar and related to him using fake identity documents to open accounts and transfer fraudulently obtained monies through them.

On 1 February 2012 the pair appeared at Croydon Crown Court and pleaded guilty. They were sentenced today (8 February) as follows:

[G] Serhiy Fedorenko (aka Ruslan Bogaty) [10.9.84] was jailed for 32 months:

Count 1: Transferring criminal property - sentenced to 32 months imprisonment; Count 2-6: Possession of false identity documents with intent - sentenced to 12 months on each count to run concurrently; Count 7: Entering into or being concerned in a money laundering arrangement - sentenced to 12 months to run concurrently; Count 8: Possession of articles for use in fraud - sentenced to 12 months to run concurrently; Count 9: Transferring criminal property - sentenced to 12 months to run concurrently.

[X] Vitaliy Mosiychuk (aka Sandris SALENIEKS) [23.12.78] was jailed for 34 months:
Counts 1-5: Possession of false identity documents - sentenced to 12 months imprisonment in total, to run consecutively; Counts 7-18: Possession of articles for use in fraud - sentenced to 16 months imprisonment for each count, to run concurrently with counts 1-5 and 22; Count 19: Possession of false identity documents and Count 20-21: Possession of articles for use in fraud - sentenced to 16 months imprisonment in total, to run consecutively; Count 22: Obtaining leave to enter the United Kingdom by deception - sentenced to 12 months imprisonment to run consecutively.

Count 6: Possession of false identity documents was discontinued.

Both Fedorenko and Mosiychuk will be deported to Ukraine on completion of their sentences.

Section 18 Proceeds of Crime proceedings have been served.

+ An additional 13 individuals have previously been sentenced in connection with the investigation.

Seven people also arrested in connection with the inquiry were subsequently released no further action.