Two men nabbed for laundering millions from sham bank texts in major ‘smishing’ scam.
Smishing Conmen Caught Laundering Luxury Loot
Quin Huang, 36, of Newham, and Clarke Daniel Morgan-Findlay, 26, from Lewisham, have pleaded guilty to multiple counts of money laundering. Their dirty earnings came from a nationwide “smishing” racket that ripped off victims through fake bank texts.
Huang admitted guilt at Inner London Crown Court on August 21, with Morgan-Findlay following suit on September 4. Both face sentencing on September 28.
How the Smishing Scam Worked
- Victims received texts that looked like genuine bank messages about suspicious payments.
- The fake texts urged them to call a phoney number linked directly to the fraudsters.
- Impersonating bank staff, the crooks got access to victims’ bank details and emptied accounts.
- Stolen cash was funnelled into “mule” accounts set up by Morgan-Findlay’s recruits.
Once the money hit mule accounts, Huang and Morgan-Findlay sprang into action to clean it.
From Cash to Cartier: The ‘Cashing Out’ Operation
The pair turned dirty cash into luxury goods, hitting upscale stores in London’s Oxford Street and Knightsbridge. They bought designer handbags, jewellery, and gift cards, then sent the haul back to the organised crime network behind the fraud.
Huang regularly asked Morgan-Findlay to recruit more mules and open new bank accounts. Morgan-Findlay often bragged on social media, sharing videos and screenshots flaunting the stolen funds to lure others into the scam.
Evidence and Arrests
Their phones were crammed with thousands of incriminating messages, photos, and videos detailing hundreds of laundering offences. While prosecutors proved 15 specific counts between 2017 and 2020, the full extent remains massive.
Police began cracking down after spotting a Facebook account advertising for money mules and boasting luxury items — including a Cartier watch linked to Morgan-Findlay.
Morgan-Findlay was first arrested in April 2018 but only charged in June 2020 along with Huang, who was found with over £107,000 in cash and high-end goods during his arrest. Both men played vital roles in cleaning up millions stolen via smishing.
Detective Constable Ray Black, Met Cyber Crime Unit: “While Huang and Morgan-Findlay didn’t directly scam victims, they made their living from other people’s misery. Money laundering isn’t victimless – every pound stolen leaves a mark on real lives.”
