FRAUDSTERS stole £30,000 from a Scots businessman after he boasted on Facebook about his wealth.
Thieves targeted the man because he bragged on the friendship website about his luxury car and boat and skiing trips to the USA.
He was sent an email, purporting to be from Facebook, asking him to confirm details such as his name, date of birth and email address. Crooks then raided his bank account.
Police sources believe the man made himself a target by talking about his lifestyle.
The Government and internet security experts fear that up to 11million Britons are putting themselves at risk of identity fraud by putting their personal details online.
Home Office minister Tony McNulty said recently: "There are certainly hints that there are people fishing through Facebook and other social network sites to elicit personal information which could go towards identity theft."
And Stephen Trilling, of internet security firm Symantec, warned: "Today's criminal is focused on compromising legitimate websites to launch attacks."
In another recent ID theft case, a young woman from Dumfries was robbed of £3000 after revealing on Bebo that she was going to a school reunion.
A thief posing as one of the victim's old school pals got hold of her date of birth and the password she used on auction website eBay.
Within hours, £3000 had been withdrawn from the woman's bank account.
Tuesday 15 April 2008
Extending the 28-days to a 42-day detention
Home Office minister McNulty has called on MPs to back extending detention without charge to 42 days amid growing signs the Government faces a damaging defeat on the issue.
McNulty said concerns over the proposals to upgrade from a 28-day maximum were "reasonable", but they were "proportionate" and would help with complex terrorism trials.
He insisted he was confident about steering the powers through Parliament, and stressed there was no intention of "locking people up and throwing away the key".
"I think (MPs) will buy it," Mr McNulty told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
McNulty, Minister of State for policing, security and community safety, said the longer detention period would be used "utterly sparingly", and Parliament would be required to renew the legislation on a regular basis.
Labour's Whips are believed to have warned Gordon Brown that the Government could be defeated by around 30 votes in the Commons, if there were a debate on the 42 days now, with dozens of backbenchers - and even potentially some ministers - siding with the Tories and Lib Dems.
The Director of Public Prosecutions Sir Ken Macdonald is among a number of senior figures - including Security Minister Lord West of Spithead and ex-Attorney General Lord Goldsmith - to have voiced misgivings about the plan.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith sought to bolster support for the proposals on Sunday by stressing the scale of the terrorist threat Britain faces.
Under the measures the Home Office would immediately be able to extend the limit to 42 days if a joint report by a Chief Constable and the Director of Public Prosecutions backed the move.
McNulty said concerns over the proposals to upgrade from a 28-day maximum were "reasonable", but they were "proportionate" and would help with complex terrorism trials.
He insisted he was confident about steering the powers through Parliament, and stressed there was no intention of "locking people up and throwing away the key".
"I think (MPs) will buy it," Mr McNulty told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
McNulty, Minister of State for policing, security and community safety, said the longer detention period would be used "utterly sparingly", and Parliament would be required to renew the legislation on a regular basis.
Labour's Whips are believed to have warned Gordon Brown that the Government could be defeated by around 30 votes in the Commons, if there were a debate on the 42 days now, with dozens of backbenchers - and even potentially some ministers - siding with the Tories and Lib Dems.
The Director of Public Prosecutions Sir Ken Macdonald is among a number of senior figures - including Security Minister Lord West of Spithead and ex-Attorney General Lord Goldsmith - to have voiced misgivings about the plan.
Home Secretary Jacqui Smith sought to bolster support for the proposals on Sunday by stressing the scale of the terrorist threat Britain faces.
Under the measures the Home Office would immediately be able to extend the limit to 42 days if a joint report by a Chief Constable and the Director of Public Prosecutions backed the move.
Friday 11 April 2008
Harrow Times
http://www.harrowtimes.co.uk/mostpopular.var.2186511.mostviewed.juggling_local_and_government_duties.php
McNulty tells the Harrow times about the issues he faces juggling local and governmental duties.
McNulty tells the Harrow times about the issues he faces juggling local and governmental duties.
Thursday 10 April 2008
Abu Qatada will not be deported from the UK
McNulty was disappointed as the man, branded Bin Laden's right hand man, will not be deported.
Radical cleric Abu Qatada has been granted permission to appeal against a decision to deport him from the UK.
The government is attempting to deport the terror suspect to Jordan, but his lawyer's argued that he would be killed upon his return.
The Home Office has claimed it will challenge today's ruling and that Mr Qatada will remain in prison in the meantime.
McNulty, Home Office Minister said that he was "disappointed" in the ruling.
"I am disappointed that the courts have found that deportation to Libya can not go ahead for now,"
McNulty said."We will continue to push for deportation for people who pose a risk to national security, in the meantime we will take the necessary steps to protect the public.
"In the meantime, he will remain behind bars."
The controversial Islamic preacher has been referred to as Osama bin Laden's 'right-hand-man' and declared a "truly dangerous individual" and a "key figure" in al-Qaida-related terror activity.
Richard Reid, the failed 'shoe-bomber' and Zacarias Moussaoui, both of whom have been jailed for involvement in terrorism, are claimed to have sought religious advice from Mr Qatada at some stage.
Radical cleric Abu Qatada has been granted permission to appeal against a decision to deport him from the UK.
The government is attempting to deport the terror suspect to Jordan, but his lawyer's argued that he would be killed upon his return.
The Home Office has claimed it will challenge today's ruling and that Mr Qatada will remain in prison in the meantime.
McNulty, Home Office Minister said that he was "disappointed" in the ruling.
"I am disappointed that the courts have found that deportation to Libya can not go ahead for now,"
McNulty said."We will continue to push for deportation for people who pose a risk to national security, in the meantime we will take the necessary steps to protect the public.
"In the meantime, he will remain behind bars."
The controversial Islamic preacher has been referred to as Osama bin Laden's 'right-hand-man' and declared a "truly dangerous individual" and a "key figure" in al-Qaida-related terror activity.
Richard Reid, the failed 'shoe-bomber' and Zacarias Moussaoui, both of whom have been jailed for involvement in terrorism, are claimed to have sought religious advice from Mr Qatada at some stage.
Wednesday 9 April 2008
A bit about McNulty
Tony McNulty MP is responsible for:
-The Police Service
-Counter-terrorism
-Crime reduction (including violent crime, guns, knives community safety and anti-social behaviour)
He was born in 1958, and was educated at Salvatorian College, Harrow and Stanmore Sixth Form College, before going on to gain a BA (Hons) in Political Theory and Institutions from the University of Liverpool and an MA in Political Science from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University.
Before becoming an MP, he was Principal Lecturer in Organisational Behaviour at the University of North London.
His first Ministerial post was Parliamentary Under-Secretary in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister from 2002 to 2003, with responsibility for neighbourhood renewal, housing and planning.
He had previously served as a Whip (member of a the British Parliament, charged by his or her party with enforcing party discipline and ensuring attendance) (1999-2002) following a period as Parliamentary Private Secretary to David Blunkett.
McNulty joined the Department of Transport in June 2003 as Parliamentary Under-Secretary with responsibility for aviation, local transport and London.
He was then promoted to Minister of State with responsibility for rail and London in September 2004.
In May 2005 he became a Home Office Minister with responsibility for immigration, nationality and citizenship.
In May 2006 he was appointed Minister for policing, security and community safety.
-The Police Service
-Counter-terrorism
-Crime reduction (including violent crime, guns, knives community safety and anti-social behaviour)
He was born in 1958, and was educated at Salvatorian College, Harrow and Stanmore Sixth Form College, before going on to gain a BA (Hons) in Political Theory and Institutions from the University of Liverpool and an MA in Political Science from Virginia Polytechnic Institute & State University.
Before becoming an MP, he was Principal Lecturer in Organisational Behaviour at the University of North London.
His first Ministerial post was Parliamentary Under-Secretary in the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister from 2002 to 2003, with responsibility for neighbourhood renewal, housing and planning.
He had previously served as a Whip (member of a the British Parliament, charged by his or her party with enforcing party discipline and ensuring attendance) (1999-2002) following a period as Parliamentary Private Secretary to David Blunkett.
McNulty joined the Department of Transport in June 2003 as Parliamentary Under-Secretary with responsibility for aviation, local transport and London.
He was then promoted to Minister of State with responsibility for rail and London in September 2004.
In May 2005 he became a Home Office Minister with responsibility for immigration, nationality and citizenship.
In May 2006 he was appointed Minister for policing, security and community safety.
Tuesday 8 April 2008
Easter vacation
*The Houses of Parliament are in their Easter Recess from 3 April until 21 April 2008*
-so you might catch McNulty in the T5 chaos, or abroad, or even in a cafe as you sip your coffee. Keep a look-out.
Its a bit late for an Easter recess though.
-so you might catch McNulty in the T5 chaos, or abroad, or even in a cafe as you sip your coffee. Keep a look-out.
Its a bit late for an Easter recess though.
Sunday 6 April 2008
Former Al Qaeda agent faces investigation
A former British Al Qaeda fundraiser and recruiting agent turned anti-terror campaigner, who met McNulty last July to discuss ideas about tackling radicalization, faces police investigation after writing a book about his experiences as a terrorist.
A British Pakistani from Manchester, Hassan Butt, allegedly raised tens of thousands of pounds for terror networks but left Al Qaeda after the London Bombings of July 2005, saying he wanted to wean young people away from terrorism.
“I realised that the jihadi network was not killing for the sake of Islam, it was killing for the sake of causing terror and causing havoc,” Butt said.
Greater Manchester Police have won the right to force an independent journalist who has co-authored a book along with the 27-year-old former jihadist to hand over its draft manuscript and notes.
A court ruled last week that police could seize notes and documents from the journalist, Shiv Malik.
Butt, who used to travel between Pakistan and Britain as a terror agent, claimed the continued investigation threatens his counter-terrorism work and offered to speak to the police.
He said: “I’m saying, put me in prison, that’s fine, but think of the damage you are going to do to the effort to de-radicalise extremist Islam in this country.”
Having left the network in January 2006, Butt is said to have been working with some of his original recruits to wean them away from terror.
“It’s not easy being hunted by jihadis who want to kill you, moderate Muslims who think you have betrayed Islam, and the Manchester police who might want to prosecute me,” Butt said.
A British Pakistani from Manchester, Hassan Butt, allegedly raised tens of thousands of pounds for terror networks but left Al Qaeda after the London Bombings of July 2005, saying he wanted to wean young people away from terrorism.
“I realised that the jihadi network was not killing for the sake of Islam, it was killing for the sake of causing terror and causing havoc,” Butt said.
Greater Manchester Police have won the right to force an independent journalist who has co-authored a book along with the 27-year-old former jihadist to hand over its draft manuscript and notes.
A court ruled last week that police could seize notes and documents from the journalist, Shiv Malik.
Butt, who used to travel between Pakistan and Britain as a terror agent, claimed the continued investigation threatens his counter-terrorism work and offered to speak to the police.
He said: “I’m saying, put me in prison, that’s fine, but think of the damage you are going to do to the effort to de-radicalise extremist Islam in this country.”
Having left the network in January 2006, Butt is said to have been working with some of his original recruits to wean them away from terror.
“It’s not easy being hunted by jihadis who want to kill you, moderate Muslims who think you have betrayed Islam, and the Manchester police who might want to prosecute me,” Butt said.
Friday 4 April 2008
Control Orders in the UK
In a written ministerial statement on the 3 April '08, McNulty revealed that there are 11 control orders currently in force in the United Kingdom.
A control order is an order made by the Home Secretary, to restrict an individual's freedom for the purpose of "protecting members of the public from a risk of terrorism". Its definition and power were provided by Parliament in the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005.
The latest information the Home Office holds suggests that eight of the individuals currently subject to control orders are currently in receipt of benefits that are administered by the Department for Work and Pensions.
This was an attempt to upgrade the government on the operation of the 2005 Terrorism Act.
Shailesh Vara, a North West Cambridgeshire, Conservative had asked McNulty to state how many individuals are subject to control orders; and how many of those are claiming benefits, broken down by type of benefit.
A control order is an order made by the Home Secretary, to restrict an individual's freedom for the purpose of "protecting members of the public from a risk of terrorism". Its definition and power were provided by Parliament in the Prevention of Terrorism Act 2005.
The latest information the Home Office holds suggests that eight of the individuals currently subject to control orders are currently in receipt of benefits that are administered by the Department for Work and Pensions.
Some individuals are in receipt of more than one form of the work and pensions administered benefit.
Of these individuals:
-Four receive incapacity benefit (Benefit intended for those below the Pension age who cannot work because of illness or disability)
-Three receive jobseeker's allowance (A form of unemployment benefit that is paid to people who are unemployed and seeking work)
-One receives a disability living allowance (A tax-free benefit for children and adults who need help with personal care or have walking difficulties because they are physically or mentally disabled.)
-Three receive income support (Benefit for those on a low income)
-Two receive child tax credit (Benefit based on the number of children in a family)
-Five controlled individuals are currently living in Home Office provided housing.
This was an attempt to upgrade the government on the operation of the 2005 Terrorism Act.
Shailesh Vara, a North West Cambridgeshire, Conservative had asked McNulty to state how many individuals are subject to control orders; and how many of those are claiming benefits, broken down by type of benefit.
Thursday 3 April 2008
High Potential Development Scheme for Police
McNulty yesterday released information on the revised Police High Potential Development Scheme.
The High Potential Development Scheme is designed to develop the very best leaders for the police service of the future. It is a performance driven and competency based career development programme which can be tailored to individual needs.
It is designed to develop the future leaders of the police service. On the scheme, police get training, support and opportunities needed to take their police careers to the top. They can achieve senior leadership jobs that need high levels of responsibility and bring comparable financial rewards.
[Derived from the Police Service Recruitment website]
McNulty said: "The National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) has responsibility for policy, selection and co-ordination for the Police High Potential Development Scheme (HPDS).
"The NPIA has finished a review of the existing HPDS alongside a wider process of developing the future strategy for police leadership that will be relaunched soon."
David Ruffley, from the Conservatives had a query on the 2 April regarding the career structure of police. He had asked McNulty what discussions he has had on the review of the Scheme.
The High Potential Development Scheme is designed to develop the very best leaders for the police service of the future. It is a performance driven and competency based career development programme which can be tailored to individual needs.
It is designed to develop the future leaders of the police service. On the scheme, police get training, support and opportunities needed to take their police careers to the top. They can achieve senior leadership jobs that need high levels of responsibility and bring comparable financial rewards.
[Derived from the Police Service Recruitment website]
McNulty said: "The National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) has responsibility for policy, selection and co-ordination for the Police High Potential Development Scheme (HPDS).
"The NPIA has finished a review of the existing HPDS alongside a wider process of developing the future strategy for police leadership that will be relaunched soon."
David Ruffley, from the Conservatives had a query on the 2 April regarding the career structure of police. He had asked McNulty what discussions he has had on the review of the Scheme.
Tuesday 1 April 2008
Neighbourhood policing for every community
From the 31 March every community in England and Wales will have a neighbourhood policing team of police officers and Police Community Support Officers in place.
The teams are dedicated to working with their local communities, agreeing priorities for action and informing the public of their progress.
Home Office Policing Minister Tony McNulty visited County Durham Neighbourhood Policing Teams a few days ago. (28th March 08)
McNulty said: "Neighbourhood policing is central to making the police service more citizen focused. It is an integral part of the future of policing and it is what people want."
The teams are dedicated to working with their local communities, agreeing priorities for action and informing the public of their progress.
Home Office Policing Minister Tony McNulty visited County Durham Neighbourhood Policing Teams a few days ago. (28th March 08)
McNulty said: "Neighbourhood policing is central to making the police service more citizen focused. It is an integral part of the future of policing and it is what people want."
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