UK Court Convicts 3 in $7.2 Million Covid PPE Fraud, Funding Luxury Cars
Updated
Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 15
UK Court Convicts 3 in $7.2 Million Covid PPE Fraud, Funding Luxury Cars
3 articles · Updated · bbc.co.uk · Jul 15
Summary
Leicester Crown Court convicted Jogesh Bhandari, 59, Craig Morris, 43, and Meenakashi Bhandari, 48, over a Covid-era PPE scam involving fraud and laundering criminal proceeds; sentencing is set for Aug. 21.
NCA evidence showed the group claimed they could supply millions of boxes of nitrile gloves, using forged bank statements showing up to $125 million and a sham escrow arrangement to win payments.
More than $7.2 million flowed through the scheme between late 2020 and 2021, including $3.18 million for gloves meant for U.S. hospitals that were never delivered.
Bank records showed the proceeds funded a lavish lifestyle, including a £126,000 Porsche, Rolex watches, jewelry, holidays, debt repayments and home renovations; Morris also expected regular £5,000 payments.
The NCA said the fraud exploited acute pandemic PPE shortages, while a U.S. accomplice tied to the escrow account was separately convicted in the United States.