Can victims of the £1m luxury car scam claim compensation? Police seek Sussex victims
Police are hunting for victims of a bogus luxury car dealer who stole over £1 m. Find out how to claim compensation if you were duped.
Background to the fake luxury‑car operation
Ravinder Randhawa created a fictitious website that pretended to be a high‑end dealership, advertising models from Porsche, Mercedes‑Benz and Range Rover. The site was designed to look professional, giving potential buyers the impression that they were dealing with a legitimate luxury‑car retailer.
Between May 2018 and February 2021, more than 150 individuals paid deposits or full payments for vehicles that never existed. Victims only discovered the fraud when they attempted to collect their cars or when scheduled deliveries failed to arrive.
Legal outcome and ongoing police appeal
In 2021 a court convicted Randhawa of fraud and money‑laundering offences, sentencing him to nine years in prison. While the conviction removed the primary fraudster from the streets, the investigation uncovered a wider network of associates who helped launder the proceeds.
One associate, Atif Shariff, was later sentenced to 20 months for money‑laundering. A 2022 Proceeds of Crime Act hearing revealed that Shariff had benefited from the scheme to the tune of £16,520, despite having only £5 in traceable assets at the time. Further financial investigation by the South West Regional Organised Crime Unit (SWROCU) in 2024 identified more than £13,000 in cash held by Shariff.
Scale of the fraud
The total amount taken from victims exceeded £1 million. Randhawa used part of the money to purchase high‑value items and funneled the remainder through the accounts of his associates.
Police request for additional victims
The SWROCU is now specifically looking for people who lived in Sussex and believe they were deceived by Randhawa’s scam during the May 2018‑February 2021 window. Officers stress that anyone fitting this profile could be entitled to compensation, even though the payout is likely to be modest compared with the original loss.
Amanda Alldridge, asset confiscation and enforcement manager at SWROCU, explained: “We have identified and partly compensated over 30 victims, but we would like to track down the remainder who were part of the original prosecution process.” She added that the team is “passionate about making sure money is paid back to those who were affected by the fraud.”
How to claim
Potential victims should complete the SWROCU’s Compensation Registration Form, which is linked in the original article. The form collects the necessary details for the unit to assess eligibility and arrange any possible reimbursement.
Why reporting fraud matters
Cases like this illustrate how organised‑crime groups can exploit the prestige of luxury brands to attract unsuspecting buyers. Prompt reporting enables law enforcement to trace assets, compensate victims where possible, and deter future scams.
If you suspect you were targeted by a similar scheme, contacting the local police or the SWROCU as soon as possible improves the chances of recovery and supports wider investigations.