ECONOMY & WORK
MONEY 101
NEWS
PERSONAL FINANCE
NET WORTH
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use DMCA Opt-out of personalized ads
© Copyright 2023 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.
MARKETREALIST.COM / NEWS

All About the Royal Mail Heist Which Drained Millions in Funds From the Postal System

The fraud involved the under-declaration of mail that was posted through a network of logistics companies in Buckinghamshire and Berkshire.
PUBLISHED FEB 14, 2024
Cover Image Source: A Royal Mail van in North London, England | Getty Images | Photo by Graeme Robertson
Cover Image Source: A Royal Mail van in North London, England | Getty Images | Photo by Graeme Robertson

The postal system has been hit by mail fraud for a long time, and despite efforts to curb the menace, scammers keep coming up with innovative ploys to siphon off money from organizations globally. Narinder Sandhu, a 62-year-old conman, was recently put behind bars for orchestrating a sophisticated decade-long fraud that drained $97 million from the Royal Mail. Sandhu, along with his brother Parmjeet and accomplice James Mooney, manipulated the postal system with false declarations, leading to personal financial gains.

The first and second class postage stamps Royal Mail |  Getty Images | Photo by Matt Cardy
Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Matt Cardy

Sandhu, the proprietor and director of Pack Post International LTD (PPIL), was the mastermind behind the fraudulent scheme that went on from 2005 to 2017. Along with his brother, Parmjeet, 56, and co-conspirator Mooney, 44, Sandhu exploited loopholes within the Royal Mail's self-declaration system.

Through a meticulously crafted strategy involving false declarations regarding the quantity, weight, class, and destination of mail, they systematically drained the Royal Mail and various other postal operations.

A Union Jack flag flutters in front of the Elizabeth Tower, commonly known as Big Ben | Getty Images | Photo by Jack Taylor
Image Source: Getty Images | Photo by Jack Taylor

Living in a multi-million-pound mansion in Buckinghamshire, Sandhu enjoyed his illicit gains, which he spent on luxuries such as a Bentley and a Rolls Royce that graced his driveway. His estate even featured an indoor pool and various other amenities.

Described as "integral" to the fraud, Parmjeet did not reap rewards on the same scale as his brother. Nevertheless, he declared an income of $627,353 per annum in the tax year 2014/15, highlighting the significant financial gains made through the fraudulent activities.

Despite a challenging divorce settlement, Parmjeet owned real properties valued at around $3.2 million as of December 2020. Mooney, on the other hand, played an important role in the group's activities. Starting as an administrative assistant, he later became involved with major roles, capitalizing on his role in data entry. His lack of higher education and qualifications, combined with low pay, made him a susceptible recruit for these fraudulent activities.

Image Source: Kindel Media/Pexels
Image Source: Photo by Kindel Media | Pexels

For playing a part in the fraudulent scheme, Sandhu received a four-year prison term, while Parmjeet admitted to obtaining services dishonestly and Mooney admitted conspiracy to commit fraud, receiving suspended sentences at Southwark Crown Court. Moreover, Sandhu and Pack Post International LTD (PPIL) pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud.

While the two landed up in jail, Parmjeet was granted conditional bail pending sentencing for all the charges. The sentencing is scheduled to take place at the same court in October.

"In one sense you may find it frustrating because you have heard the opening but heard no evidence in this case, but it is the duty of all counsel to try to strive to achieve an outcome which is in the interests of justice. I am sure what happened this morning is in the interest of justice. I am sure that this is a satisfactory outcome," the judge told the jury.

Image Source: Krisanapong/ Getty Images
Image Source: Photo by Krisanapong | Getty Images

The Royal Mail heist reflects the challenges major institutions face in safeguarding against fraudulent activities. Large-scale scams not only jeopardize financial health but also erode public trust. The case emphasizes the continuous need for advancements in security measures, especially in industries with prevalent self-declaration systems.

MORE ON MARKET REALIST
The man said that his girlfriend often tosses clothes into the washing machine without checking their pockets.
4 hours ago
The A-list actor was extremely happy with the food and blessed her and her family.
6 hours ago
The video has gone viral and people are responding with their own scary experiences at ATMs.
8 hours ago
The organization asked Simmons' employers to send a deserving candidate and they nominated her.
9 hours ago
A "gift from God," Otha Anders started collecting pennies after he found one lying on the ground.
18 hours ago
Perks of the job also include year-long subscriptions for all major streaming services.
1 day ago
The TikToker turned out to be a philanthropist who has dedicated his life to make dreams come true.
1 day ago
The parents were surprised when they found a note written in response to the child's gesture.
1 day ago
The woman got an email that looked authentic with the transaction platform's logo at first.
2 days ago
The child was putting items in the shopping cart but then suddenly started unloading it.
2 days ago
The man was finally able to pay off his debt and spend time with his family in Florida after years.
2 days ago
The guest got emotional since the family hadn't seen much wealth for generations.
3 days ago
Apart from the hip-hop legend, NBA star Kyrie Irving was another celebrity among the donors.
3 days ago
Jaime Siminoff, whose pitch was rejected by all but one shark, walked out without a deal. He returned to the show as a millionaire investor.
3 days ago
Actor Charlie Sheen is most known for his role on syndicated tv show 'Two and a Half Men.' How much are reruns paying him?
4 days ago
Others commented sharing their own experiences with salespeople pestering them.
5 days ago
The woman said that Jelly Roll's music had inspired her to overcome bullying and alcoholism.
5 days ago
Jaden became the youngest millionaire in the history of e-sports after his performance at the tournament.
6 days ago
The woman had been struggling financially as her parents were old and she had to care for the toddler.
6 days ago
The rapper's albums have been topping charts and he has been on cloud nine while preparing for a tour.
6 days ago