The Anatomy of a Takedown: How Yorkshire-Based Investigators Help Secure Jail for Money Launderer Involved in £2m Computer Support Scam

It’s that sinking feeling, isn't it? Your computer flashes a weird message, the screen freezes, and a little bit of panic sets in. Most of us would just google for help, hoping to find a quick fix. But imagine if that search for help led you straight into a massive scam that ended up costing you thousands. That’s exactly what happened to hundreds of people across the UK, who were tricked by a £2 million computer support fraud. But the story has a local twist, as investigators based right here in Yorkshire played a huge part in bringing down the criminal network behind it, leading to a key player being sentenced and put behind bars.

The anatomy of a nasty scam

So, how did this whole thing work? It was clever, in a really horrible way. A pair of brothers based in India set up a sophisticated criminal network designed to target UK consumers. They created a whole network of companies that pretended to be big, trustworthy tech brands that everyone knows, like HP, Microsoft, and Norton. They then paid for misleading ads on Google and Bing, so when worried people searched for help with their computers, these fake companies would pop up first.

When victims called for support, they were lied to. The fraudsters would tell them their computers had serious problems and would persuade them to pay for “repairs” that were completely useless, all at massively inflated prices. It’s like taking your car to a dodgy mechanic who tells you the engine needs replacing when all you have is a flat tyre. In some cases, the victims were even convinced to grant the scammers remote access to their computers, which is a huge invasion of privacy. The fraud didn't stop there; some victims were hounded for months, tricked into making more and more payments. This was a carefully organised scam designed to prey on people’s fears about technology.

Following the money trail

Catching the people making the scam calls is one thing, but what about the money they stole? That’s where the next part of the criminal operation comes in. A man named Gyaltse Yolmo, from Swindon, has been sentenced at Leeds Crown Court for his part in the fraud. He wasn't on the phone tricking people, but his role was just as important. He was a money launderer. Think of him as the getaway driver for the whole operation; his job was to take the stolen money and make it look legitimate.

Between November 2015 and January 2019, Yolmo was the director of a company called UK Infotech Technology Ltd. This company existed for one reason: to be a bank account for the scammers. It received hundreds of thousands of pounds from the victims of the fraud. Yolmo then transferred the majority of this money—over £580,000—to the fraudsters in India, taking a cut for himself. The court heard all about how he helped funnel the proceeds of the crime. For his role in handling the criminal money, he was sentenced on Tuesday 10 February 2026, to 38 months in prison. He's also been disqualified from being a company director for six years. He is the last of seven people to be sentenced for laundering the proceeds from this scam, with the group receiving a combined total of over 12 years in prison.

The real cost of the fraud

While the financial loss was huge, the human cost of this fraud was even greater. The victims, many of whom were older people or just lacked confidence using computers, described the intense stress and anxiety the experience caused. They spoke of the money lost as “a large sum” they simply couldn’t afford to lose. Many were left with a powerful feeling of being shaken and embarrassed. The emotional impact was devastating.

Some victims described losing sleep and feeling mentally exhausted after they realised they had been tricked. It left them scared of using computers or the internet again, cutting them off from a world many of us take for granted. To make matters worse, the cost of the fake “repairs” was often more than it would have cost to buy a brand-new computer. One victim alone paid more than £4,400 to people he thought worked for HP. The whole experience left people feeling vulnerable and exposed. This wasn't just a financial crime; it was an emotional one too.

Yorkshire's investigators on the case

The complex investigation that brought this criminal network down was led by the National Trading Standards eCrime Team, which is proudly hosted by the City of York Council and North Yorkshire Council. This Yorkshire-based team put in the hard work to unravel the sophisticated international fraud. They received crucial support from police officers in the West Midlands, Staffordshire, and Wiltshire, showing how different organisations can work together to protect consumers.

The National Trading Standards team's investigation was key to disrupting the entire operation. By focusing not just on the scammers but also on the money launderers, they were able to dismantle the whole structure that made the scam possible. The sentencing of Yolmo marks a significant victory in the ongoing fight against this type of fraud, sending a clear message that everyone involved in such a criminal enterprise will be held accountable.

What the experts said

Several key figures spoke about the importance of the case and the devastating impact of the scam.

Lord Bichard, Chair of National Trading Standards, said: “The victims of this fraud were deliberately targeted, misled and frightened into believing their computers were compromised. They were pressured into handing over money and left feeling anxious, distressed and fearful of using technology they once relied upon. One even compared the experience to having a criminal intrude into their home. Today’s sentencing underlines that those who profit by enabling fraud, and who help keep these crimes running, will be held fully accountable. If you or someone you know has fallen victim to a fraud like this, you should report it to the Citizens Advice consumer service helpline by calling 0808 223 1133.”

Cllr Jenny Kent, from the City of York Council which co-hosts the team, said: “Whilst Mr Yolmo may not have directly pressurised innocent and sometimes vulnerable people into paying for fictitious problems on their computers, his role in money laundering the proceeds helped make the whole criminal scheme possible. He was part of a network exploiting people in their own homes, causing significant loss and distress, and damaging confidence in legitimate businesses. I hope the victims can take some comfort from knowing that our Courts take this seriously and that Mr Yolmo has received a prison sentence of 38 months. The hard work of our dedicated investigators continues and should be a serious deterrent to anyone tempted to get involved in money laundering.”

Cllr Richard Foster of North Yorkshire Council, said: “The harm caused by this case goes beyond the money these elderly, vulnerable victims lost. Many were left frightened, embarrassed or anxious about using their computers or the internet again. And even though the defendant didn’t make any scam calls himself, helping to move stolen money enabled the call centre scammers to reach more victims. I can’t commend the work of the National Trading Standards eCrime team enough for securing a prison sentence for this man.”

Finally, Mike Andrews, National Coordinator of the National Trading Standards eCrime Team, said: “This National Trading Standards investigation disrupted a sophisticated global fraud operation that targeted UK consumers. Whilst Gyaltse Yolmo was not directly responsible for the scam itself, his role in laundering criminal funds was essential to its operation. By setting up and running a company to process payments, he helped take victims’ money and left people feeling embarrassed, ashamed and deeply shaken.”