Luke Coleman, aged 30, based in Taunton, pleaded guilty to unlawfully obtaining and subsequently disclosing personal data in breach of the Data Protection Act, following a prosecution by the UK’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Coleman, who worked for Virgin Media O2, sold confidential customer data to family friend Nicholas Harper for use in a boiler room scam.
Harper had earlier pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting an offense committed in breach of the Data Protection Act, but was later acquitted of conspiracy to commit jury fraud.
Coleman has been suspended by his employer pending the outcome of the criminal investigation.
A fine is the maximum penalty for this type of offence. Coleman was fined £384. He was ordered to pay a £38 surcharge and £500 costs.
Steve Smart, executive director of enforcement and market oversight at the FCA, said:
“Coleman abused his position of trust and allowed others to commit crimes that resulted in enormous financial and emotional consequences for the victims. This is our first prosecution under the Data Protection Act. From now on, those who enable crime must be clear that we will use all our powers to hold them accountable.”