Barnt Green gambler in laundered money scam jailed

Mar 9 2009 by Mark Cowan, Birmingham Mail

The money laundering conspiracy involved profits from organised crime gangs, including drug dealers, being passed over the tables in order to disguise the original source of the banknotes. Before becoming involved he had staked more than £100 million over a six-year period including betting £100,000 on a World Cup match between England and Argentina.

It was these skills as a gambler that saw Batth recruited into the gang.

He also had his own chair at a prestigious casino in London popular with sheikhs, owned a £1 million luxury apartment overlooking Lords cricket ground and his house in Barnt Green was valued at £1 million.

HM Revenue & Customs assistant director Nick Burriss said: “The successful conclusion of this case has resulted in a number of serious criminals being sent to prison.

“This was a highly sophisticated and complex fraud against the taxpayer and enabled the defendants to fund extravagant and luxurious lifestyles. We will also seek Confiscation Orders to reclaim the profits of their crime.”