How An India-Origin UK Couple Used Fake PPE Deals To Make Millions During Covid
How An India-Origin UK Couple Used Fake PPE Deals To Make Millions During Covid Published By, Last Updated: July 23, 2026, 11:06 IST Jogesh Bhandari
How An India-Origin UK Couple Used Fake PPE Deals To Make Millions During Covid Published By, Last Updated: July 23, 2026, 11:06 IST Jogesh Bhandari and his wife Meenakashi Bhandari were convicted alongside associate Craig Morris following an investigation by the UK's Crime Agency (NCA). Rapid Read The NCA said the fraud began in November 2020 when a company agreed to buy 12 million boxes of gloves and transferred funds into an escrow account. An India-origin couple in the United Kingdom was found guilty of running a multi-million-dollar fraud during the Covid-19 pandemic by posing as major suppliers of personal protective equipment (PPE) and convincing businesses to part with millions of dollars for gloves that were never delivered. Jogesh Bhandari, 59, and his wife Meenakashi (Meena) Bhandari, 58, were convicted alongside associate Craig Morris, 43, following an investigation by the UK’s Crime Agency (NCA). The trio is due to be sentenced on August 21. How Did The Scam Work? According to investigators, Jogesh Bhandari set up a company in 2020 claiming it could supply millions of boxes of nitrile gloves at a time when global demand for PPE had surged due to the pandemic.
To win the confidence of buyers, Jogesh Bhandari allegedly presented forged bank statements showing access to as much as $125 million and supplied fake letters of attestation to project himself as a major player in the PPE market. He also worked with US-based attorney Frank Labruzzo, who prosecutors said provided fraudulent escrow services designed to reassure customers that their money would remain secure until orders were fulfilled. Where Did The Money Go? The NCA said the fraud began in November 2020 when a company agreed to buy 12 million boxes of gloves and transferred funds into an escrow account. Instead of remaining protected until delivery, the money was allegedly diverted almost immediately to Jogesh Bhandari, Labruzzo and other entities linked to the operation. A month later, investigators said another deal brought in $2.7 million, with nearly $500,000 allegedly used to clear personal debts belonging to Jogesh Bhandari and his wife. Authorities said the scheme escalated in 2021 when Jogesh Bhandari secured more than $3.18 million for a shipment of nitrile gloves destined for US hospitals. The gloves were never delivered.
The $1.8 Billion Deal The largest alleged fraud came later in 2021 when Jogesh Bhandari reportedly convinced a supplier he had access to hundreds of millions of dollars and could support a PPE contract worth $1.8 billion. Investigators said Labruzzo provided a fraudulent document claiming Jogesh Bhandari had deposited $35 million as security for the transaction. Believing the deal was legitimate, the supplier transferred $1.35 million for the first shipments. The money was allegedly routed directly into a business account controlled by Meena Bhandari. Porsche, Rolexes And Luxury Holidays Rather than being used for PPE supplies, the funds allegedly financed an extravagant lifestyle. The NCA said the couple spent hundreds of thousands of pounds on Rolex watches, jewellery, luxury travel and vehicles, including a Porsche worth €126,000, an Audi A5, a Land Rover Discovery and a Volkswagen Golf. Investigators also found that some of the money was used to fund extensive home improvements, including a kitchen refurbishment. News18 Newsletter Handpicked stories, in your inbox A newsletter with the best of our journalism submit Key Questions Answered How did the couple manage to deceive so many businesses?
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