Fraudster Jailed Over Multi-Million Pound PPE Scam

A fraudster who helped deceive medical companies over bogus personal protective equipment deals during the Covid-19 pandemic has been jailed after millions of pounds were obtained through fraudulent transactions.

Craig Morris, 43, was sentenced to three years and nine months in prison at Northampton Crown Court.

Morris and Jogesh Bhandari, 60, were convicted of two counts of conspiracy to commit fraud by false representation, as well as offences involving the concealing and transferring of criminal property.

The pair were accused of presenting themselves as major players in the international PPE market while claiming they could supply huge quantities of nitrile gloves that they did not actually possess.

Bogus PPE Deals During Covid Pandemic

The fraud took place during the Covid-19 pandemic, when countries faced severe shortages of protective equipment.

Prosecutor Michael Bisgrove told the court that the defendants saw an opportunity to make money from the demand for PPE.

Operating through a company called Banton, they presented themselves as established suppliers capable of buying and selling large quantities of protective equipment.

The court heard that contracts were sent to companies in the United States and Germany for PPE that the defendants did not have.

The companies involved included US firm Med18 and German company MedTech.

Millions of pounds were subsequently obtained through the fraudulent arrangements.

Luxury Cars, Holidays and Property

The prosecution said money obtained through the fraud was used for personal benefit.

The court heard that Bhandari spent thousands of pounds on luxury cars, while money was also used for holidays, luxury goods and property.

The Bhandari family also used some of the proceeds to pay family debts.

Morris used money he received from Bhandari to purchase a house, the court heard.

According to evidence presented during the case, Bhandari obtained and retained approximately £1.75m through the fraud.

His wife, Meenakashi Bhandari, 58, was found guilty of concealing and transferring criminal property involving approximately £960,000.

Bhandari Described as 'Driving Force'

The prosecution described Bhandari as the "driving force and the instigator" of the offending.

Morris, from Forest Drive in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, was described as working for Bhandari.

The National Crime Agency previously said Morris received regular payments of around £5,000 from Bhandari before the two men fell out towards the end of 2021.

The investigation also uncovered links to an alleged fraudulent escrow arrangement in the United States.

The NCA said Bhandari worked with Frank Labruzzo, an attorney who had been employed by the Louisiana Attorney General's Office.

Labruzzo provided what was described as a fraudulent escrow service used in connection with the transactions.

The NCA said Labruzzo and another individual involved in the scheme were subsequently convicted and sentenced in the United States.

Wife Receives Suspended Sentence

Meenakashi Bhandari attended the sentencing hearing at Northampton Crown Court.

She received a two-year prison sentence suspended for two years, along with 250 hours of unpaid work and 15 days of rehabilitation activity.

Her husband did not attend the hearing.

His lawyer told the court that he had recently undergone surgery to have a pacemaker fitted and was taking a "very extreme painkiller".

Judge William Harbage KC said there was no medical evidence properly explaining Bhandari's absence and ordered that a bench warrant be issued.

He is expected to return to court for sentencing on 16 October.

Judge Condemns Exploitation of Pandemic

During sentencing, Judge Harbage highlighted the circumstances in which the fraud took place.

He said the pandemic was a period when people across society were expected to make sacrifices and work together.

The judge said some individuals instead sought to exploit the crisis for financial gain and were motivated by greed.

He concluded that Bhandari and Morris fell into that category.

The case demonstrates how the extraordinary demand for PPE during the pandemic created opportunities for organised fraud, with companies desperate to secure protective equipment being targeted by individuals claiming to have supplies that did not exist.

A Fraud Built on a Global Emergency

The case involved companies in different countries and relied on the international demand for medical equipment during one of the most disruptive periods in recent history.

The convictions followed an investigation involving authorities in both the UK and United States.

For Morris, the case has now resulted in a substantial prison sentence.

Bhandari's sentencing remains outstanding, while his wife has received a suspended sentence and community-based requirements.

The case also illustrates the wider financial consequences of pandemic-era fraud, where businesses and organisations were forced to operate under extreme pressure and make rapid decisions about securing essential supplies.

Craig Morris will now serve three years and nine months in prison for his role in the fraud.

Bhandari is due back before the court on 16 October.