Police are appealing for more potential victims of a fraudulent car salesman, Ravinder Randhawa, who was convicted in 2021 for fraud and money laundering offences. Authorities from the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) believe additional victims may be entitled to recover some of their lost funds.
Randhawa was sentenced to nine years in prison in July 2021 after an investigation by Devon & Cornwall Police revealed he operated a scam involving a fake website that purported to sell luxury vehicles on behalf of non-existent car showrooms. Victims from across the UK, including Gloucestershire, paid large sums of money for high-end brands such as Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and Range Rover. However, these vehicles either never existed or were never delivered.
In total, Randhawa defrauded more than 150 people, stealing over £1 million. He used the stolen funds to purchase expensive items or laundered the money through associates’ accounts. One such associate, Atif Shariff, was sentenced to 20 months for money laundering.
READ MORE: Gloucester City boss criticises team’s “horrendous” start to Southern League season
READ MORE: Gloucester Rugby Secure Signings of Promising Young New Zealanders
A Proceeds of Crime Act hearing in 2022 determined Shariff’s criminal benefit was £16,520, yet at the time, he only had available assets of £5. In 2024, financial investigators from SWROCU discovered Shariff had acquired new assets, including over £13,000 in cash. Authorities have commenced the process to seize these funds to compensate victims and have sought Shariff’s consent for the same.
Amanda Alldridge, Asset Confiscation and Enforcement Manager at SWROCU, stated: “We have been able to identify and partly compensate over 30 victims, but we want to reach the remaining individuals involved in this case. We urge anyone in Gloucestershire who believes they were deceived by Randhawa’s scam between May 2018 and February 2021 to contact us, as they may be eligible for some compensation. While the repayment may be modest compared to their total loss, we are committed to ensuring that victims receive whatever funds we can recover.”
Anyone who suspects they are a victim is encouraged to complete a Compensation Registration Form. Additionally, individuals with information about money laundering or those profiting from criminal activity can report anonymously to Crimestoppers.