A UK court has convicted Jogesh and Meenakshi Bhandari for a multi-million-pound PPE fraud during the COVID-19 pandemic. The couple misled businesses with false promises of glove supplies to fund a lavish lifestyle. Sentencing is scheduled for August 21.
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A UK court has convicted an Indian-origin couple, 59-year-old Jogesh Bhandari and 58-year-old Meenakshi Bhandari, for their roles in a large-scale fraud scheme involving personal protective equipment (PPE). The couple, working with an accomplice named Craig Morris, deceived businesses during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic by promising the supply of millions of boxes of nitrile gloves that were never delivered.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) of the UK led the investigation, revealing that the scheme exploited the extreme market demand for protective gear between 2020 and 2021. According to investigators, Jogesh Bhandari set up a company specifically for this trading purpose. The fraud relied on a sophisticated setup where a former US-based official, Frank Labruzzo, provided a fake escrow service. This allowed the trio to divert buyer funds directly to themselves instead of holding the money securely until the delivery of goods was confirmed.
Financial records examined by the authorities showed that the group received over $3.18 million in early 2021 alone for glove shipments destined for hospitals in the United States. In one instance, the Bhandaris used nearly $500,000 from a buyer’s deposit to clear their personal debts. The investigation also uncovered that Jogesh Bhandari used forged bank statements, claiming account balances as high as $125 million, and fabricated letters of attestation to create a false appearance of financial stability for their business entity.
Evidence presented during the trial highlighted that the illicit proceeds were used to fund an extravagant personal lifestyle. Expenditures included a £126,000 Porsche, multiple luxury vehicles such as an Audi and a Land Rover, Rolex watches, jewelry, and extensive renovations to the couple’s home. Recovered communications between the conspirators indicated a clear intent to profit from the global health crisis, with discussions even referencing a desire to purchase a Rolls-Royce.
The NCA arrested the trio in February 2023. While the sentencing for the Bhandaris and Morris is set for August 21, the case had broader international implications, as Frank Labruzzo and other associates involved in the scheme have already faced conviction in the United States. Authorities noted that these actions did not only cause direct financial loss to victims but also diverted critical medical resources away from healthcare providers who were in urgent need of supplies during the pandemic. The upcoming sentencing hearing will be the next major step in this legal process.