Ajay Shinjin jailed for two and a half years over SIM-swap fraud
Summary
Ajay Shinjin, a 25-year-old man from Canary Wharf, has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison for his involvement in a SIM-swap fraud that netted nearly £200,000 in stolen cryptocurrency. Shinjin, who pleaded guilty to fraud offenses, was reported to have spent over £44,000 of the stolen funds on luxury holidays in Dubai and gold-plated grills. The fraud scheme involved intercepting one-time passcodes sent by banks and crypto platforms through the unauthorized transfer of victims' phone numbers to SIM cards controlled by criminals. This case highlights the growing concern around SIM-swap fraud, which saw a 402% increase in reported incidents in the UK during the first half of 2026, according to fraud prevention service Cifas.
Analysis
Ajay Shinjin: Ajay Shinjin, also known as AJ Marley Cruz, is a London-based individual who took part in a SIM-swap fraud conspiracy targeting cryptocurrency holders. He received proceeds from the thefts and used them for luxury spending including holidays and personal items. Shinjin pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud and transferring criminal property, resulting in his recent sentencing by a UK court. Mark Birchall: Mark Birchall is the staff cybersecurity editor at Norton, a cybersecurity firm. He shared practical advice on protecting against SIM-swap attacks in response to the case details. Birchall emphasized shifting from SMS-based verification to more secure methods tied to physical devices. Simon Ardeman: Simon Ardeman is a Detective Constable with City of London Police focused on fraud investigations. He provided an official statement on the SIM-swap case, describing it as a sophisticated form of offending with serious consequences for victims. His comments reflect the force's ongoing work against cyber-enabled financial crimes. City of London Police: City of London Police is the territorial force responsible for policing the financial district of London and investigating complex fraud cases. The agency led the probe into the SIM-swap scheme involving stolen cryptocurrency, tracing devices and linking evidence to suspects including Shinjin. Officers from the force highlighted the calculated nature of the crime and its effects on victims. Fraud Method: SIM swaps allow criminals to intercept one-time passcodes sent by banks and crypto platforms by taking control of a victim's phone number. Carrier Protections: Setting a separate PIN or passcode with a mobile carrier and enabling account takeover protection can impose stricter verification for any account changes. Security Recommendation: Authentication apps for two-factor verification tie account access to a physical device rather than a phone number, helping reduce risks from SIM swaps.
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