Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleCraig Morris was one of three people convicted (PA)Jogesh Bhandari and Craig Morris have been convicted of money laundering and fraud by false representation for orchestrating a PPE scam during the Covid-19 pandemic, falsely claiming to supply millions of nitrile glove boxes. The fraudsters diverted millions of pounds intended for essential personal protective equipment, using the illicit proceeds to fund lavish lifestyles, including purchasing luxury cars like a Porsche, Rolex watches, jewellery, holiday packages, and extensive home renovations. Bhandari, who established a company in 2020 for trading nitrile gloves, collaborated with Frank Labruzzo, a US assistant attorney general, who provided a fraudulent escrow service that immediately released funds to Bhandari instead of holding them until supply conditions were met. Meenakashi Bhandari, Jogesh's wife, was also convicted of money laundering, with bank records showing that some of the defrauded money was used to repay her personal debts, indicating her direct involvement in the financial exploitation. All three defendants were convicted on Wednesday following a five-week trial at Leicester Crown Court and are scheduled to be sentenced on August 21, while their US accomplice, Frank Labruzzo, has already been convicted in America for his part in the scheme. More bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
How PPE fraudsters spent thousands of pounds on luxury cars and Rolex watches
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleCraig Morris was one of three people convicted (PA)Jogesh Bhandari and Craig Morris have been convicted of money laundering and fraud by false representation for orchestrating a PPE scam during the Covid-19 pandemic, falsely claiming to supply millions of nitrile glove boxes. The fraudsters diverted millions of pounds intended for essential personal protective equipment, using the illicit proceeds to fund lavish lifestyles, including purchasing luxury cars like a Porsche, Rolex watches, jewellery, holiday packages, and extensive home renovations. Bhandari, who established a company in 2020 for trading nitrile gloves, collaborated with Frank Labruzzo, a US assistant attorney general, who provided a fraudulent escrow service that immediately released funds to Bhandari instead of holding them until supply conditions were met. Meenakashi Bhandari, Jogesh's wife, was also convicted of money laundering, with bank records showing that some of the defrauded money was used to repay her personal debts, indicating her direct involvement in the financial exploitation. All three defendants were convicted on Wednesday following a five-week trial at Leicester Crown Court and are scheduled to be sentenced on August 21, while their US accomplice, Frank Labruzzo, has already been convicted in America for his part in the scheme. More bulletinsThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
