UK court sentences Indian-origin couple for COVID-19 PPE fraud

An Indian-origin couple has been sentenced in the United Kingdom for fraud and money laundering involving fraudulent COVID-19 personal protective equipment (PPE) supply deals. Following a five-week trial at Leicester Crown Court, Jogesh Bhandari, 59, received an eight-year prison sentence. His wife, Meenakashi Bhandari, 58, was given a two-year suspended sentence and 250 hours of community work.

Craig Morris, 43, who acted on behalf of the couple’s business to make fraudulent representations, was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison. The National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation revealed that the group exploited the high demand for medical supplies during the pandemic to fund an affluent lifestyle, including luxury cars, jewelry, and home improvements.

In one specific transaction, Bhandari received more than $3.18 million for nitrile gloves intended for hospitals in the United States, which were never delivered. The NCA noted that the defendants targeted legitimate businesses during a period of global uncertainty, causing significant financial losses to companies while healthcare facilities lacked vital equipment.