UK jails Indian-origin couple in Covid PPE fraud case
by Vaishnavi Verma · KalingaTVAdvertisement
New Delhi: A couple of Indian origin was sentenced in the United Kingdom for fraud and money laundering for fake Covid-19 protective personal equipment (PPE) supply deals.
Jogesh Bhandari, 59, was sentenced to eight years’ imprisonment, and Meenakashi, 58, was given a suspended sentence of two years and 250 hours of non-custodial community work.
It was heard at Leicester Crown Court after a five-week trial in July.
They exaggerated about their ability to provide protective gear, such as nitrile gloves, to healthcare providers and companies.
Authorities uncovered that consumers paid for items that were not sent, which put companies in significant financial loss during the pandemic.
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The investigation uncovered that the money had been used to indulge in an affluent lifestyle which included luxury cars, watches, jewellery, holidays and home improvements.
Bhandari was paid more than $3.18 million in one transaction for nitrile gloves meant for US hospitals, which never arrived.
Craig Morris, 43, who was involved in these scams on behalf of the couple’s business, was handed a three years and nine months sentence.
The NCA revealed that the suspects capitalized on high demand for medical supplies due to the pandemic for personal benefit.
Bhandari was handed the sentence after he did not turn up at a previous hearing citing ill health and a judge ordered he be arrested.
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