A scammer has been jailed after he sent out text messages purporting to be from the NHS, banks and mobile phone providers.

Teige Gallagher, 21, of Haringey, pleaded guilty to committing fraud by false representation and for being in possession of articles for use in fraud, following an investigation.

Between October 1 last year and March 11, Gallagher sent fraudulent text messages claiming to be from a wide range of trusted organisations, including the NHS.

The messages included a link to a fake webpage imitating official company websites, with the aim of tricking customers into giving away their personal and account details that could later be used to commit fraud.

The messages claiming to be from the NHS requested personal and financial information, claiming the details were needed to verify and determine when the recipient would be eligible for the Covid-19 vaccination.

Investigators seized and examined Gallagher’s digital devices and found that they contained thousands of telephone numbers and other personal details which are believed to belong to the victims he was planning to target.

Gallagher was caught following an investigation by the Dedicated Card and Payment Crime Unit (DCPCU) which is a specialist City of London and Metropolitan police unit funded by the banking and cards industry.

At the Old Bailey today (May 19), Gallagher was jailed for four years and three months.

Teige Gallagher

Teige Gallagher

Detective Chief Inspector Gary Robinson, head of unit at the DCPCU, said: "Gallagher wrongfully thought he could get away with impersonating organisations and sending out scam text messages, including ones related to the Covid-19 vaccine to commit fraud.

"The DCPCU will continue to crack down on those seeking to exploit this pandemic to defraud the public, through close collaboration with the CPS, mobile phone companies and the banking industry.

"Criminals are experts at impersonating trusted organisations like the NHS, banks or the government and will try to play on people’s concerns about their finances at this difficult time.

"It’s therefore vital that the public follow the advice of the Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign and stop and think before parting with any money or information in case it’s a scam."

Customers can report suspected scam texts to their mobile network provider by forwarding them to 7726. This will help mobile providers to take action if needed, including blocking malicious numbers.

Additionally, any suspicious emails should be forwarded to report@phishing.gov.uk, the National Cyber Security Centre’s (NCSC) suspicious email reporting service.

If you’ve provided your personal details, or lost money to a fraud, report to Action Fraud online or by calling 0300 123 2040.