A MAN has been charged with cyber crimes after a raid at a house in Colchester.

About a dozen officers from the National Crime Agency descended on a house in a quiet suburban street almost 16 months ago.

They seized computer equipment and arrested the occupants and, following a long investigation, have decided to charge a man.

A spokesman for the NCA said: "I can confirm on Monday, February 27, Goncalo Esteves, 24, was charged with four offences under the Computer Misuse Act 1990 and an offence under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

"The charges relate to a joint investigation by the NCA and Trend Micro into a website which [allegedly] hosted tools to help cyber criminals disguise malicious software."

Esteves, then of Cape Close, Colchester, was charged with five offences.

He faces one count of carrying out an unauthorised act to impair the operation of a computer.

He also faces three counts making or supplying articles to impair the operation of a computer.

And one count of an offence under money laundering legislation within the Proceeds of Crime Act.

The raid took place in November 2015.

A 22-year-old woman, also arrested, has now been released without charge.

It is alleged Esteves was operating a website offering services to criminals.

It is alleged he was offering to overcome anti-virus software and disguise malicious software.

He was investigated for alleged involvement with website reFud.me and allegedly allowing those using malicious software to scan illegal files and infect victims' computers for illegal purposes.

It is further alleged more than one million scans may have been conducted in the previous six months.

No pleas have been entered and no illegal activity has been proven.

Esteves is due to appear at Colchester Magistrates' Court on March 28 for a first appearance.

Trend Micro is a global security software company found in California with headquarters in Tokyo.

The NCA deal with organised crime across the country.