Jogesh Bhandari receives eight years in prison for fraudulent protective equipment deals, while his wife is handed a suspended sentence over money laundering
An Indian-origin couple has been sentenced in the United Kingdom for fraud involving personal protective equipment (PPE) during the Covid-19 pandemic, after investigators found that money obtained through bogus supply deals was used to finance luxury purchases and holidays.
Jogesh Bhandari, 59, and his wife, Meenakashi (Meena) Bhandari, 58, were convicted of fraud and money laundering following a five-week trial at Leicester Crown Court in July, according to the UK’s National Crime Agency (NCA).
Bhandari was sentenced to eight years in prison after failing to attend an earlier sentencing hearing, citing health issues. His wife received a two-year suspended prison sentence and was ordered to complete 250 hours of unpaid community work on October 7.
Their associate, Craig Morris, 43, was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison for his role in fraudulent transactions carried out on behalf of the couple’s company.
Investigators said the group exploited the urgent global demand for protective equipment during the pandemic to deceive legitimate businesses through false promises of supplying nitrile gloves
In one transaction in early 2021, Bhandari received more than $3.18 million for an order of gloves intended for hospitals in the United States. The equipment was never delivered, the NCA said.
In another deal, a proposed supply agreement was valued at $1.8 billion. Investigators said a fraudulent letter was used to support claims that funds had been deposited as security for the initial delivery. A supplier subsequently paid $1.35 million for the first two planned shipments, but the money was transferred into a business account controlled by Meena Bhandari rather than being used to supply the equipment.
Financial records traced the proceeds to luxury vehicles, watches, jewellery, home renovations and expensive holidays. Purchases included a Porsche, an Audi A5 and a Land Rover Discovery.
The NCA said the fraud caused substantial losses to businesses and contributed to the wider harm caused by shortages of essential protective equipment during the pandemic.
The case highlights the criminal exploitation of emergency supply chains at a time when healthcare providers were struggling to secure vital medical equipment.
