Threat Management

Former online fraudster hired by West Midlands Police

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West Midlands Police has drafted Tony Sales, once named “Britain's greatest online fraudster”, to assist in the fight against cyber-crime.

Sales gained a reputation in Britain's largest network of online criminals starting at the age of 13, having stolen over £30 million in six years. He ripped off stores and websites and bought personal data on the shoppers from hackers. 

After serving a year in prison in 2010, Sales made major life changes by helping big timers in UK retail, insurance and banking to protect themselves against online fraud. “Only if you see the world through the eyes of a criminal can you anticipate their next move,” Sales said.

Sales finds it rewarding to test and break the security of companies that feel they are invincible. “Like Houdini, I have never failed.”

With cyber-crime being the topic for a business summit in Birmingham and top priority for the police force, David Jamieson, crime commissioner for West Midlands Police, invited Sales to give the keynote at the summit on 18 January. 

Meanwhile, senior cyber-crime officers will outline how the police worked with public and private sectors to build solutions.

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