Creator of $132 Million Global Phishing Service Jailed for Eight Years
Zak Coyne, a 24-year-old British man, has been sentenced to eight-and-a-half years in prison for operating LabHost, a global phishing service. LabHost provided fraudsters with access to counterfeit versions of legitimate websites, enabling them to trick victims into revealing sensitive information. Coyne earned approximately $230,000 in cryptocurrency for running the service, which was laundered through various wallets and converted to cash. The service offered three membership tiers, with prices ranging from $179 to $300 per month. LabHost was used by thousands of criminals across 91 countries, defrauding over one million individuals and causing losses of $42 million in the U.K. and over $132 million globally. Coyne was arrested at Manchester Airport in April 2024, and significant evidence was recovered from his devices. Judge Jenny Lester-Ashworth described LabHost as one of the most sophisticated online fraud platforms.
