Fraudster Shaquille Moore Jailed Over Fake Oyster Card Scam
Shaquille Moore, 27, from Trenholme Road, London, has been locked up for nearly three years after admitting to a clever Oyster card scam. He pleaded guilty to fraud by false representation at Inner London Crown Court on 28 August. A judge sentenced him to two years and eight months in prison on 25 September.
Fake Zip Oyster Cards Sold Online
Between May and December 2018, Moore ran a scam selling 16+ Zip Oyster photocards under the fake name ‘Ben Franklin’ via social media. He targeted adults over 18, promising them discounted travel cards meant only for 16 and 17-year-olds. The 16+ Zip card offers half-price fares on TfL services and sometimes even free travel.
To pull off the fraud, Moore forged documents with fake birthdates and produced fake IDs. This helped his customers bypass Oyster’s age verification process online, allowing them to claim discounted fares illegally.
TfL and British Transport Police Crack Down
In August and September 2018, TfL staff flagged suspicious Oyster card sales on social media to a TfL fraud investigator. Subsequent prosecutions of fraudulent cardholders revealed money was funnelled into bank accounts held in Moore’s name.
Thanks to a detailed investigation by the British Transport Police (BTP) and TfL, Moore was found, arrested, and charged. They uncovered that he made more than £35,000 from the scam, causing major revenue losses to TfL.
Official Response: No Mercy for Fare Cheats
Detective Constable Mark Pink, BTP: “This was a pre-planned, sophisticated fraud that went on for months. Moore’s criminality has hit TfL hard. Our joint work shows this kind of crime won’t be tolerated.”
Richard Mullings, TfL Head of Counter-Fraud: “Fare evasion and fraud steal millions from London’s transport system—money that should improve buses, Tubes, and roads. We have zero tolerance for anyone selling or buying Oyster cards fraudulently. We will prosecute without hesitation.”
