Wanted: Wembley father and son money-launderers on the run
Bhadresh Shah, 49, is on the run with his son - Credit: Archant
A father and son from Wembley are on the run after being convicted of masterminding an £80m money laundering operation for organised criminals across the UK.
Abhishek Shah, 24, is on the run with his father - Credit: Archant
A warrant has been issued for the arrest of Bhadresh Shah, 49, and his son Abhishek Shah, 24, of Swinderby Road, who have been jailed, despite their absence, for a total of 21 years.
The pair helped to siphon profits for organised crime gangs around the country through their hub at the Chandi Bazar in Ealing Road, Southwark Crown Court heard.
Police found ten false company stamps used to create legitimate business documents at the Bazar which were linked to at least £10m in dodgy transfers.
Cash was also laundered through three legitimate money service bureaus, who were duped with false invoices from multiple companies using the same cut-and-paste templates.
Bhadresh was given 12 years and Abhishek sentenced to nine years in prison after being found guilty of money laundering offences following a trial at Southwark Crown Court on May 25 - but were not in the dock to hear the verdicts.
They attended the first week of the trial but fled while on bail and remain at large.
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Adrian Keeling, QC, prosecuting, said up to £80m in sterling and other denominations was funnelled through three front companies and the unsuspecting money transfer companies in less than three years.
Bhadresh’s wife Falguni Shah, 45, one of eight other codefendants to stand trial, was jailed for four years.
She, along with Dipak Doshi, 57, and Dinesh Parmar, 35, also of Swinderby Road were guilty of helping to launder millions of pounds between September 2011 and April 2014.
Five others standing trial were cleared.
Bhadresh, Abhishek and Falguni Shah, Doshi and Parmar denied but were convicted of one count of conspiracy to transfer criminal property.
Bhadresh Shah alone was also convicted of possessing of mephedrone and ketamine with intent to supply.
Bhadresh Shah is described as Asian, about 5ft 10ins, of heavy build, with dark hair, brown eyes, glasses and a thin moustache.
Abhishek Shah is described as Asian, about 6ft, of large build, with dark hair, brown eyes and glasses.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 or Tweet @MetCC. Or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
