HM Revenue & Customs (London): Car crash money launderer jailed

A minor collision with a Revenue & Customs car out on an undercover operation has led to the second member of an organised crime gang being jailed for money laundering. The driver, who provided money laundering services for other gangs involved in drug dealing and other serious crimes, has been jailed for three years for personally laundering around £2.5 million.

Nadeem Karimzada (21) from West London, was found guilty of money laundering and breaches of money laundering regulations after enquiries by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) officers uncovered evidence of large scale money laundering in the West London area. Another member of the gang, Ajit Arora (45) was jailed for four years in December 2010 for laundering in excess of £500,000.

Simon Grunwell, Assistant Director of HMRC Criminal Investigation said:

“Karimzada came to our attention when he reversed into one of our cars in Southall. We ran checks on the car and the driver and this kickstarted our investigation. Through their complicit actions, Karimzada and Arora have helped criminals launder the proceeds of organised crime and transfer millions of pounds overseas. This sentence reflects how seriously HMRC and the Courts view these offences and will act as a deterrent to others.

“Anyone with information relating to this type crime can call our Hotline on 0800 59 5000 and help us stamp it out.”

In September 2009, Karimzada was observed by HMRC officers in a Money Service Bureau (MSB). He was challenged by the officers under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (POCA) whereupon they discovered he was in the process of transferring £75,000 in cash. City of London Magistrates Court today ordered this cash to be forfeited to HMRC.

Karimzada claimed the cash was from legitimate customers of his company MSB Mazar Enterprises, but was unable to provide acceptable documentary evidence to substantiate this claim. The cash was seized under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

Further enquiries revealed that in the previous 18 months Karimzada had transferred the cash through his business Mazar Enterprises to organisations in Afghanistan, Pakistan, China, India and the United Arab Emirates. Karimzada could provide no evidence as to the origin of the remitted cash and was arrested and charged with money laundering.

Confiscation proceedings are in place for other identified assets.

1. Nadeem Karimzada, DOB 05/05/1989 of 16 Phipps House, Australia Road, London, W12 was convicted of laundering around £2.5m and breaches of the Money Laundering Regulations 2007 and was sentenced to three years imprisonment at Croydon Crown Court on 04 March 2011. He was also disqualified from being a Company Director for seven years. Karimzada was acquitted of two counts of laundering £6.5 million.

2. The £75,000 cash was forfeited to HMRC on 04 March 2011 under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

3. Ajit Singh Arora, DOB 01/01/1966 of 14 St Marys Road, Hayes, Middlesex, was convicted of laundering in excess of £500,000. He was sentenced to four years imprisonment on 16 December 2010.

4. We would encourage anyone with information relating to this type of crime to call the Customs’ Hotline on 0800 59 5000 or email:customs.hotline@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk

5. Confiscation proceedings are in place.

6. Follow HMRC on Twitter @HMRCgovuk

LON 16.11

Issued by HM Revenue & Customs Press Office

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