Two suspects from Kent and London have been charged in connection with an online fraud service that investigators say enabled criminals to disguise calls as trusted organisations, including banks, as UK authorities continue efforts to trace individuals linked to the dismantled iSpoof platform.
The charges come as police forces across the country remain focused on tackling telephone-based fraud, a crime type that has placed increasing pressure on banks, telecoms providers and regulators to strengthen protections for customers targeted by increasingly sophisticated scams.
“Two suspects from Kent and London have been charged in connection with an online fraud service which enabled users to make calls from phone numbers mimicking banks.”
The suspects — a man and a woman — were arrested following an investigation by the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU), which linked the pair to iSpoof, described by police as a web portal used to support fraudulent activity. According to investigators, iSpoof operated an app that allowed criminals to manipulate the phone numbers displayed to victims, making calls appear to originate from legitimate institutions.
“The man and woman were arrested as part of an investigation by the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) and which was linked to a web portal called iSpoof. iSpoof operated an app which enabled criminals to allegedly commit fraud by disguising phone calls to victims, so they appeared to be from a trusted organisation (such as a bank).”
Spoofing scams typically rely on social engineering tactics, where fraudsters impersonate bank staff or other officials and pressure individuals to transfer money or share security details. The ability to make calls appear genuine can reduce a victim’s suspicion, increasing the likelihood of financial loss. The iSpoof platform was among the most prominent tools uncovered in recent years for enabling that type of deception.
The wider iSpoof platform was taken down in 2022 after a Metropolitan Police investigation found it had been used at significant scale. Authorities say its reach extended well beyond the UK, with the technology used to generate millions of spoofed calls.
“The global platform was dismantled in 2022, after a Metropolitan Police investigation revealed it had been used to make 10 million spoof calls.”
Although the platform itself was shut down, investigations into its alleged users and associates have continued. Police say multiple forces have contributed to ongoing efforts to identify individuals in the UK believed to have used the service or been otherwise connected to its operation.
“Since then, investigations have continued, assisted by other forces, to identity other UK-based criminals suspected to be linked to iSpoof.”
The latest case involves two individuals arrested in January 2024. Police said the arrests were carried out by officers from ERSOU’s Regional Organised Crime Unit (ROCU), working alongside City of London Police officers. City of London Police is the national lead force for fraud, while ROCUs typically handle serious and organised crime investigations that cross force boundaries.
“In January 2024, Olasukanmi Owoeye and Alessandra Monaco were arrested by officers from the ERSOU ROCU (Regional Organised Crime Unit), working with City of London Police officers.”
Both suspects have now been charged with fraud-related offences. The charges include conspiracy to commit fraud, as well as possessing an article for use in connection with fraud — a charge commonly applied in cases involving suspected tools or equipment used to facilitate criminal activity.
“Both have now been charged with conspiracy to commit fraud and with possessing an article for use in connection with fraud.”
Mr Owoeye, 27, of East Surrey Grove, Peckham, has been granted bail and is scheduled to appear at Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on 27 February.
“Mr Owoeye, 27, of East Surrey Grove, Peckham is bailed to attend Maidstone Magistrates’ Court on 27 February.”
Ms Monaco, 25, of Whitefoot Lane, Bromley, Greater London, has already appeared before Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court and has been released on bail with conditions ahead of her next court date.
“Ms Monaco, 25, of Whitefoot Lane, Bromley, Greater London appeared before Sevenoaks Magistrates’ Court on 9 January. She was bailed with conditions and her next hearing will be at Maidstone Crown Court on 6 February.”
The case highlights how law enforcement agencies are continuing to pursue individuals alleged to have been linked to tools enabling mass-scale fraud, even after the platforms themselves have been taken offline. For businesses, particularly banks and payment providers, the continued focus on spoofing-related investigations underscores the operational and reputational risk posed by fraud, as well as the importance of customer education and authentication safeguards.
With court proceedings now scheduled, the matter will continue through the criminal justice system as authorities seek to disrupt organised fraud networks and reduce the impact of spoofing scams on consumers and financial institutions across the UK.
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