EncroChat’s luxurious lifestyle exposed as a hoax

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An EncroChat gangster has been described as a “straw man” after his superstar lifestyle was revealed to be fake.

Thomas O’Brien was sentenced to 18 years in prison after it was revealed as a leading supplier of heroin, cocaine and cannabis.

But Liverpool’s Crown Court heard that his real life was a far cry from the “champagne lifestyle” he pretended to enjoy.

READ MORE: EncroChat drug cartel empire collapses as members imprisoned for over 89 years

O’Brien, who had a scar on his cheek and went behind the codename EncroChat for ScarWars, was linked to 12 kg of cocaine and 3 kg of heroin by participating in a network of criminals with a total of over 89 sentences.

This gang was brought down by Merseyside Police’s Operation Overboard. The raids in March of this year marked the end of the group’s exploits.

O’Brien was linked to the ScarWars EncroChat account because he had a scar on his face and mentioned relevant birthdays, zip codes and house numbers

O’Brien was the only one of the three men identified as leading members of the gang to bring his case to trial, but was convicted of conspiracy to supply cocaine, heroin, and cannabis.

Before his sentencing, the court was given such insight into his lifestyle that the extent of any profit he reaped from the crime was questioned.

Cocaine seized during a major operation targeting a drug gang in Liverpool. Photo: Merseyside Police (Photo: Liverpool ECHO)

Defending Trevor Barry Jones, prosecutors said O’Brien’s possession of Rolex watches, Louboutins and champagne bottles was indicative of his high-profile role in the Merseyside drug trade.

But, describing his client as a “straw man”, Mr. Barry Jones said: “The Rolex watches were fake, Louboutins were fake, the champagne bottles were from his wedding… He lived in rented accommodation and in fact the cars he was driving were not his, It was likewise rented out.”

He said the 43-year-old’s EncroChat messages indicated he was in debt and that any money he made from his gang connection was not enough to get over what he owes.

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The court heard that O’Brien, of Finch Lea Drive in Knotty Ash, was linked to the ScarWars EncroChat account because he had a scar on his face and mentioned relevant birthdays, zip codes and house numbers among the messages obtained by police.

Investigators put him as a controlling figure at the top end of a group of drug dealers, suppliers and couriers who have been sentenced over the past week.

Judge Anil Murray rated the network as “a large operation, professional, well-developed, well-planned, well-organised, and successful”.

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