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Leader of multi-million pound PPE scam jailed for eight years
Overview
Jogesh Bhandari, the leader of a multi-million pound personal protective equipment (PPE) scam during the Covid-19 pandemic, has been sentenced to eight years in prison. Bhandari defrauded US and German companies by faking the supply of millions of boxes of nitrile gloves, spending the proceeds on luxury cars, Rolex watches, and jewellery. His co-conspirator Craig Morris and his wife Meenakashi Bhandari were also sentenced for their roles in the fraud and money laundering.
Key points
- Jogesh Bhandari, 60, was sentenced to eight years in prison at Northampton Crown Court for leading a multi-million pound PPE scam.
- Bhandari spent illicit funds on luxury items including a £126,000 Porsche, an Audi A5, a Land Rover Discovery, Rolex watches, and jewellery.
- He pretended he could supply millions of boxes of nitrile gloves to US company Med18 and German firm MedTech between late 2020 and early 2022.
- Co-conspirator Craig Morris was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison.
- Bhandari's wife, Meenakashi Bhandari, received a two-year suspended sentence, 250 hours of unpaid work, and 15 days of rehabilitation for concealing and transferring criminal property.