A fraudster from Walsall has been jailed along with his ex-girlfriend after he engaged in a series of fraud schemes, including insurance fraud.
It has been found that Satpal Singh Mahal, of Clover Hill, and Louise Brown, of Plymouth, used bogus identities, set up fake bank accounts and fake companies – all to reap in more than £2.33 million. According to a report in
The Walsall Advertiser, the companies they set up alleged to sell advertising in the UK media to clients abroad – with the couple using this as a basis to reclaim VAT on UK expenses.
In total they claimed more than £2.33 million across four companies, while making claims on a further three others. However, investigators from HMRC later discovered that none of the companies were actually trading. They were exposed when HMRC carried out investigations into their VAT returns and the duo refused to meet at their alleged business premises.
In addition, Mahal was found guilty of insurance fraud. It was discovered that he had made out fake invoices to his insurers when the apartment he shared with Brown was damaged.
As a result of the crimes, Mahal received a 12 month prison sentence for the insurance fraud and a further six years’ imprisonment in relation to money laundering and VAT offences. The sentences will run concurrently. In addition, he has been disqualified from holding a position as a company director for 10 years.
Meanwhile, Brown was also disqualified from holding such a title for 10 years and received four years in prison.
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