An Indian-origin couple who exploited the urgent demand for protective equipment during the Covid-19 pandemic have been convicted in a multimillion-pound fraud case in the United Kingdom that funded a lavish lifestyle, including a £126,000 Porsche, Rolex watches and expensive home upgrades.
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Jogesh Bhandari, 59, and his wife Meenakashi Bhandari, 48, were found guilty at Leicester Crown Court, UK, of offences linked to fraud and handling criminal property. Craig Morris, 43, was also convicted of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation and related offences. All three are due to be sentenced on 21 August, the BBC reported.
PPE scam
The National Crime Agency (NCA) said the group claimed they could supply millions of boxes of nitrile gloves at a time when hospitals and businesses were urgently trying to secure protective equipment.
Jogesh Bhandari ran a company set up in 2020 to trade gloves, while Morris helped arrange fraudulent deals across 2020 and 2021. To persuade buyers, the group used forged documents, including bank statements showing balances of up to $125 million, along with fake letters to support their claims.
