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Warning over horrifying swindle carried out by cyber gangs who raid people's bank accounts

The Sun

15-07-2025

The Sun

Warning over horrifying swindle carried out by cyber gangs who raid people's bank accounts

BRITS have been warned over a horrifying swindle carried out by gangs of cyber criminals who raid people's bank accounts. The devastating con is usually carried out by Chinese organised crime groups who have been estimated to have stolen billions of dollars from victims worldwide. 2 So-called 'pig butchering' is where scammers established fake romantic and trusting relationships with victims before luring them into fraudulent investments or other financial traps. In 2023, Shan Hanes, a banker from Kansas, US, embezzled £34.6million from his bank to cover his losses, having fallen victim to a pig butchering scam. Hanes was later sentenced to more than 24 years behind bars. Usually, a pig butchering scam works in three stages – hunting, raising and killing. This involves a scammer finding a victim online, chatting to them in order to build up trust and then getting them to invest large amounts of money into fraudulent schemes. The scam works in a similar way to a traditional romance scam, where scammers approach their victims by posing as a possible romantic partner on a dating app, or as a friend via social media. The big difference though is how the scam is executed. With a romance scam, trust is based on the victim's urge to maintain a romantic relationship with the scammer. In this scenario, the scam can often last for years. Pig butchering scams though, in comparison, generally take place over a much shorter time period. Interview with Richard Foster who is a ransomware negotiator The scammer, rather than focusing on trying to extract money through emotional manipulation, leans more on the victim's desire to make money together with the scammer. This can involve just a few months rather than years to take advantage of the victim. Usually, the scammer will present themselves as being financially successful and confident with a broad network and have appealing investment opportunities. Once the victim has made an initial small investment, the scammer will then try to escalate the process and push them into making a much larger financial commitment, reports. In 2024, Jacqueline Crenshaw, from Connecticut, US, met a man on an online dating site. He posed as a widower with two children and regularly chatted to Crenshaw on the phone. In just two months, they started talking about investing in cryptocurrency. She sent him $40,000 (£29,500) at first and received screenshots from him showing supposedly huge profits from the investment. Crenshaw was then encouraged to invest much more and it ultimately led to her losing almost $1 million (£738,000). Highly organised criminal gangs are thought to run these pig butchering scams with them using management teams who provide training to new recruits and even hire people as models who can interact with the victim. The Chinese government has taken a number of measures in order to try to stamp out the fraud. The Anti-Telecom Fraud Act was introduced in 2022 which was aimed at specifically preventing and punishing the use of telecommunications and internet technologies to defraud individuals and organizations. The Chinese Ministry of Public Security has also launched the National Anti-Fraud Centre App. This app allows the public to report scams and access real-time risk alerts relating to fraud. Along with the work of other government departments, it has helped intercept 4.7billion scam calls and 3.4billion fraudulent text messages since the start of 2024. The crackdown by the Chinese authorites has made it more difficult for criminal groups to operate in the country, leading many criminals to relocate abroad with South-East Asian countries – mainly Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar – being their chosen destination. The collapse of the illegal online gambling industry in the region following the Covid pandemic has led criminal gangs to look for new sources of revenue. Estimates of the profits made from online scams amount to around 40 percent of the combined GDP of Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar. The leaders of the criminal gangs often operate from tightly controlled compounds which act as hubs for online scams, with their primary focus on pig butchering. These compounds are usually presented as being 'technology parks' which help recruit workers. However, many people are forced into working for the scammers. While pig butchering can inflict severe financial hardship on the victims, the crime gangs are often also closely tied with violent crime, human trafficking as well as other forms of organised criminal behaviour. 2

SFA hit back at Rangers statement as John Brown TV row takes fresh twist

Daily Mail

20-06-2025

Sport
Daily Mail

SFA hit back at Rangers statement as John Brown TV row takes fresh twist

The SFA have accused Rangers of issuing 'misleading comments' after the Ibrox club criticised the punishment they received for a remark made by former player John Brown on club media channels. Rangers were fined £3,000 following a disciplinary hearing after being charged with breaching rule 38, which states clubs should not allow any criticism of match officials 'calculated to indicate bias or incompetence' or to 'impinge upon his character'. While working as a pundit on Rangers TV, Brown claimed a decision not to award Rangers a goal at Easter Road on the final weekend of the league season was 'corrupt' amid a debate over whether the ball had crossed the line. This week Rangers claimed they had 'flagged numerous examples of similar incidents on club channels' during the hearing and questioned a 'lack of consistency' in the SFA's approach. In response, the governing body pointed out that Motherwell development coach Richard Foster was handed a six-match touchline ban for a similar breach last September after branding the SFA's explanation for a contentiously-awarded Rangers goal against St Johnstone as 'lies' while working as a pundit for the BBC. They also claimed that investigations were undertaken in other cases outlined by Rangers but the potential breaches were not considered serious enough to merit more than warnings. An SFA statement read: 'We note Rangers' response to the determination of a recent independent Judicial Panel Tribunal. In the interests of accuracy, we wish to address some of the misleading comments contained therein. 'The sanction imposed by an independent panel was entirely in keeping with the application of the rules. The most recent and relevant example of a similar breach, the sanction imposed on Richard Foster of Motherwell FC for comments of a similar nature in the media, attests to that. 'Furthermore, to address the comments regarding 'rationale behind differing outcomes', we wish to point to the fact that investigations were undertaken in previous cases outlined and that the compliance officers of the time saw fit to issue a censure by way of warning letter for potential breaches deemed insufficiently serious to be progressed to a notice of complaint. 'This system of proportionality has been adopted since the inception of the Judicial Panel Protocol in 2011. Indeed, such discretion was exercised last season when the compliance officer wrote to (Rangers) to warn of the future conduct of players following matters involving Vaclav Cerny, Dujon Sterling and Mohamed Diomande. 'We also note that Rangers intend to contact the association to seek clarity on the Judicial Panel Protocol and its application. The club is, in fact, already represented on the JPP Working Group. 'We have requested written reasons from the panel chair involved in the tribunal and in the interests of transparency will publish in due course. 'JPP Rule 38 was introduced in response to the referee strike of 2010, when match officials campaigned for greater protection after enduring sustained personal criticism from clubs and fans. Ahead of a new season, we remind clubs of their responsibilities in this regard.'

SFA say Rangers fine 'in keeping with rules'

BBC News

20-06-2025

Sport
BBC News

SFA say Rangers fine 'in keeping with rules'

The Scottish FA say the imposition of a fine on Rangers following a comment by John Brown made on club media "was entirely in keeping with the application of the rules".Rangers said on Thursday the SFA "will be watched closely" after the £3,000 a match against Hibernian, Nicolas Raskin appeared to bundle the ball over the line, with the SFA's key match incident panel later ruling the goal should have Ibrox club feel there has been a "lack of consistency with the Scottish FA's policing of similar incidents".But the SFA said a recent "sanction imposed on Richard Foster of Motherwell FC for comments of a similar nature in the media, attests to" consistency. On 17 May at Easter Road, referee Nick Walsh and his on-field officials thought the ball had been kept out by Hibs defender Rocky Bushiri, and VAR Andrew Dallas ruled that there was no camera angle that proved Raskin's effort had gone equalised through Kieron Bowie moments later, with the match finishing said on the club's in-house TV channel: "I would say it is corrupt."Commentator Tom Miller replied: "Well, I'm not sure we can actually say that." However, Brown added: "Well, I am saying it."Rangers subsequently demanded the introduction of goal-line technology and said of the fine on Thursday: "If this is now the standard, they will be watched closely to ensure it is applied across the board, consistently, without exception and without favour."However, the SFA countered: "The sanction imposed by an independent panel was entirely in keeping with the application of the rules."Investigations were undertaken in previous cases outlined and that the compliance officers of the time saw fit to issue a censure by way of warning letter for potential breaches deemed insufficiently serious to be progressed to a notice of complaint."We have requested written reasons from the panel chair involved in the tribunal and in the interests of transparency will publish in due course."The SFA added that the relevant protocol had been introduced "in response to the referee strike of 2010, when match officials campaigned for greater protection after enduring sustained personal criticism from clubs and fans"."Ahead of a new season, we remind clubs of their responsibilities in this regard," the governing body said.

Lennon Miller to Celtic tackled by Motherwell insider as Kvistgaarden agent breaks cover while £11m payday plunges

Daily Record

08-05-2025

Sport
Daily Record

Lennon Miller to Celtic tackled by Motherwell insider as Kvistgaarden agent breaks cover while £11m payday plunges

Brendan Rodgers could face a big summer of movement in and out of Celtic Park as the Hoops close in on a Treble Motherwell coach Richard Foster has admitted he would like to see wonderkid Lennon Miller snub Celtic this summer. The Premiership leaders could revive their January interest in the 18-year-old with Brendan Rodgers is a massive admirer of the prospect. ‌ Motherwell closed the door on a last-gasp exit in the winter window with Udinese also showing an interest in the rising star. ‌ Since then, Miller has been handed his first senior Scotland squad by Steve Clarke for the Nations League double header against Greece and scooped the PFA Scotland Young Player of the Year award. The 18-year-old has left the door open to a move abroad with the final 12 months of his Fir Park deal fast approaching. Foster - who is Motherwell's Lead Development Coach - told the Go Radio Football Show: "I spoke to his dad a couple of weeks back and, you know, he's very, very tight-lipped, keeps his cards close to his chest and so he should. "I hope he leaves Scotland. I hope he leaves Britain. I don't want him to go down to England at this point in his career. "I don't want him to stay in, you know, only Celtic in Scotland could afford him. With all due respect to Celtic, I don't want him to go there. "You look at Lewis Ferguson, how well he's doing over in Italy and among several others, McTominay is slightly different. He's coming from Man United, but he's been exceptional as well." ‌ Celtic face a battle to land Mathias Kvistgaarden this summer with Eintracht Frankfurt and now Bologna said to be chasing a deal. It comes after reports in Denmark suggest the forward's agent held talks with the Serie A club. Campo report that agent Ebbe Sand was spotted in the stands during the draw with Juventus sitting alongside Bologna's sporting director Marco Di Vaio. ‌ Sporting director Benjamin Schmedes was quizzed on the future of the Danish U21 international, and told Viaplay: "Yes, there has been interest in him since I came to the club and even before that. "So it doesn't surprise me, because he is a good player. There is a lot of interest in him. "I hear rumours left and right, but that's not my job unless there is something serious." ‌ Pressed on interest from Bologna, he said: "I don't know anything about it. Of course, we have interesting players, and Mathias is one of them. "I'm not surprised that they are looking at such players. But again, I haven't heard anything official from any side, so for me, it's nothing to talk about right now." ‌ The Hoops also look set to land a boost to their coffers with Bayer Leverkusen star Jeremie Frimpong attracting interest - which would see Celtic bank a bumper sell-on payday. However, the fee could be cut with fresh reports suggesting a new release clause will kick in this summer. The Scottish Premiership champions hold a 30 percent sell-on fee as part of the £11million deal that allowed Frimpong to leave the club for Leverkusen back in January 2021. Liverpool are said to be ready to snap up the 24-year-old in the summer as a replacement for Trent Alexander-Arnold. A €40million (£34million) price tag has reportedly been set by the Bundesliga side for the defender. However, reports now suggest the release clause will decrease to €35million (£31million) this summer.

Butland would have offers plus Jack on manager hunt