Jogesh Bhandari jailed for multi-million-pound PPE fraud

Jogesh Bhandari has been sentenced to eight years in prison for orchestrating a multi-million-pound fraudulent scheme involving personal protective equipment (PPE) during the Covid-19 pandemic. Operating through a company named Banton, Bhandari targeted American and German firms, including Med18 and MedTech, with promises to supply millions of boxes of nitrile gloves that were never delivered.

Prosecutors stated that Bhandari retained approximately £1.75 million from the fraud. The proceeds were used to fund a luxury lifestyle, including the purchase of a Porsche, an Audi A5, and a Land Rover Discovery, as well as Rolex watches, jewellery, and home renovations.

Co-conspirator Craig Morris received a prison sentence of three years and nine months. Bhandari’s wife, Meenakashi Bhandari, received a two-year suspended sentence and 250 hours of unpaid work for her role in concealing and transferring criminal property.