Police are appealing to individuals who may have fallen victim to a fraudulent car salesman, Ravinder Randhawa, who was convicted in 2021 for fraud and money laundering offences. The South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) is reaching out to those affected, as there may be an opportunity to recover some of the funds lost.
In July 2021, following a thorough investigation led by Devon & Cornwall Police, Randhawa was sentenced to nine years in prison for his role in a sophisticated scam. He operated a fake website purporting to sell luxury vehicles on behalf of non-existent car dealerships.
Victims from across the UK, including several from Gloucestershire, paid substantial amounts for high-end brands such as Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and Range Rover. Many only realised they had been deceived when the cars were not delivered or were unable to be collected.
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Randhawa’s criminal activities resulted in over £1 million being defrauded from more than 150 individuals. The illicit proceeds were spent on luxury items or laundered through accounts of associates, including Atif Shariff, who received a 20-month sentence for money laundering.
At a Proceeds of Crime Act hearing in 2022, it was established that Shariff’s criminal gains amounted to £16,520, although at that time he possessed only £5 in assets. However, in 2024, SWROCU financial investigators discovered Shariff in possession of over £13,000 in cash and initiated procedures to seize these assets with his consent. These funds are intended to provide compensation for victims.
Amanda Alldridge, Asset Confiscation and Enforcement Manager at SWROCU, stated: “We have been able to identify and partially compensate over 30 victims, but we are keen to locate others who were involved in the case. We urge anyone in Gloucestershire who believes they were defrauded by Randhawa between May 2018 and February 2021 to get in touch, as they may be eligible for compensation.”
Alldridge added, “While the compensation may only cover a fraction of the total losses, our team is committed to ensuring that affected individuals receive some restitution.”
Those who suspect they have been victims are encouraged to complete a Compensation Registration Form. Additionally, anyone with information about money laundering or individuals benefiting from criminal activities is urged to contact Crimestoppers anonymously.