UK Punjabi singer Foji Gill & father jailed for laundering �35m

Popular British-Asian singer, Foji Gill, along with his father and 14 other members of a Midlands-based money laundering network have been sentenced to over 73 years prison-term collectively.

In details published by the National Crime Agency today, it was confirmed that ringleader, Harpal Singh Gill, aged 67, from Smethwick, who was previously a textile trader, initiated and orchestrated the entire operation. Crime groups across the country used the services on offer to launder their drugs money.

Gill set up a number of bogus clothing and textile companies to provide a mechanism for the apparent purchase of goods from companies, but no actual purchases or trade ever occurred. False invoices helped his network launder over �35 million between May 2007 and May 2013.

He recruited his 40-year old singer son, Manjit Gill (Foji Gill), to take on the role of director for a number of companies. He also had responsibility for receiving significant amounts of money.

Gill and his son were sentenced for money laundering offences in March this year at Birmingham Crown Court, receiving 11 years and five years respectively.

Paul Risby, NCA Branch Commander at the National Crime Agency said, ���Harpal Singh Gill used his position as head of his family and local businessman to influence family members and associates in his local community to be part of his criminal enterprise. He knowingly took advantage of the respect afforded to him, persuading them to set up bogus companies and handle huge amounts of cash on his behalf.

���Those involved in the most serious types of crime depend entirely on the service provided by money launderers like Gill and his associates to hide their criminal money. Gill�۪s network was responsible for laundering over �35 million, every single pound of which represents misery inflicted on communities locally and across the UK.

���Gill�۪s lengthy prison sentence should act as a deterrent to others who think they can launder money and get away with it. This investigation has also shown that misguided loyalty also results in prison time. Anyone considering assisting those involved in this type of crime should clearly think again.�۝

Extracts from National Crime Agency UK Government