Feezan Hameed Choudhary, the mastermind behind Britain’s largest cyber scam, has been reflecting on his life during his nine-year stint in prison. He was sentenced to 11 years in 2016 for orchestrating a fraudulent scheme that defrauded 750 RBS and Lloyds customers of £113 million. Despite splurging stolen money on lavish parties, luxury vacations, and shopping sprees, Hameed now claims to have undergone a profound “spiritual journey” behind bars.
Hameed, who earned the nickname “The Voice” for his ability to mimic various accents to deceive victims, personally profited at least £6.5 million from the scam. Prosecutors are still attempting to recover funds from him, alleging that he still possesses assets, including a property in Pakistan valued at over £1 million. Although he has repaid £773,443 so far, Hameed insists he no longer has any remaining assets. His defense attorney argued that the devaluation of the Pakistani Rupee has significantly impacted the value of his assets.
In addition to his property in Pakistan, Hameed also owns a family home in Glasgow worth £103,000. Despite his financial troubles, he has declined offers to participate in a TV documentary, as the production company follows a policy of not paying criminals. Instead, they have offered to redirect the £50,000 fee he would have received towards his outstanding debt.
During a recent court hearing at Southwark Crown Court, Hameed disclosed that he has embarked on a spiritual quest after encountering an Imam in prison. He emphasized that monetary wealth does not equate to genuine happiness, expressing regret over missed opportunities like marriage and starting a family. Prior to his arrest, Hameed flaunted his extravagant lifestyle on social media, posing with exotic animals and rubbing shoulders with celebrities.
Despite his lavish spending on luxury vehicles and celebrity encounters, Hameed’s elaborate scam was eventually uncovered through a series of police raids in Glasgow and the West Midlands. His fraudulent activities led to a second prison sentence in 2017 for operating a similar scam from behind bars. As the confiscation hearing continues, Hameed’s “spiritual journey” serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of financial greed and deception.
