Cyber attack on well-known Chesterfield taxi firm was attempt to blackmail owner

Two men have been jailed after bombarding a well-known Chesterfield taxi firm with calls in a bid to blackmail money from the owner of the business.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Ehsen Abdul Razak, 24, of Strachan Street, Maidstone, Kent, and Gracia Mbwiti of Harts Lane, Barking, London, launched a cyber attack on A-Line Taxis in February 2017.

The pair purchased specialist equipment which allowed them to constantly call the firm day and night over a 30-hour period, preventing genuine calls getting through.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

They then attempted to blackmail the company in order for the calls to stop.

Ehsen Abdul Razak, one of two men jailed for blackmailing a Chesterfield taxi company.Ehsen Abdul Razak, one of two men jailed for blackmailing a Chesterfield taxi company.
Ehsen Abdul Razak, one of two men jailed for blackmailing a Chesterfield taxi company.

In the course of the investigation, Abdul Razak and Mbwiti were also found to have stolen thousands of compromised bank details in an attempt to defraud people out of money, dating back to 2016.

They pleaded guilty to misusing a computer to deny service, blackmail, fraud and conspiracy to defraud.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Abdul Razak was jailed for 34 months and Mbwiti for 30 months when they appeared at Derby Crown Court on September 9.

Detective Constable Mick Donegan, of Derbyshire police, said this week: “This attack was a targeted attempt to blackmail an individual by putting their livelihood at stake.

“Genuine callers were unable to get through, meaning that A-Line taxis lost thousands of pounds worth of business and their reputation was put in jeopardy as they were seemingly not answering calls for service.

“We are pleased that Abdul Razak and Mbwiti have been brought to justice for this incident and that it puts a spotlight on the length fraudsters will go to blackmail businesses for cash.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I would urge anyone who thinks they may be subject to a TDOS attack to contact us as soon as possible, as we take reports of this nature extremely seriously.”

All reports of this nature also need to be reported to Action Fraud online at here or by calling 0300 120 2040.

For information about how you can protect your business from fraud and cyber attacks please follow Cyber Protect Officer, Jodie Nevin, on Twitter and LinkedIn.