UK: FCA fines former employee of Virgin Media O2 for data protection breach

Taunton-based Luke Coleman, aged 30, has pleaded guilty to unlawfully obtaining and the subsequent disclosure of personal data in breach of the Data Protection Act, following a prosecution by the UK Financial Conduct Authority, according to FX News Group. Coleman was employed by Virgin Media O2 and sold confidential customer data to family friend Nicholas Harper for use in a boiler room fraud.

Harper had earlier pleaded guilty to assisting an offence to be committed in breach of the Data Protection Act but was subsequently acquitted of conspiracy to defraud by a jury. Coleman was suspended by his employer, pending the outcome of the criminal investigation. A fine is the maximum penalty for this type of offence. Date: 29 October 2025.