David Farrah-Tunnicliffe of Brighton was sentenced to seven years and six months at Hove Crown Court after pleading guilty to money laundering, four counts of fraud and use of criminal property.

Two other members of the gang, David Harper and John Robertson, who were also involved in setting up fake companies for use in the scam, were given two-year suspended sentences.

The money laundering total amounted to £2,149,385.99. Farrah-Tunnnicliffe originally fled the country when he was first due to appear in court earlier this year and was tracked down to the south of France. 

Farrah-Tunnicliffe was caught after he lost a bag of mobile phones, wallet and a passport which was handed into Brighton police station. A few days later he left his wallet in a bank branch and it was found to contain a number of bank cards in different names.

This triggered an investigation by the South East Regional Organised Crime Unit (SEROCU). Investigators discovered that Farrah-Tunnicliffe was setting up companies in alias names and working with two other people, David Harper and John Robertson, who also registered companies to launder the proceeds of multiple frauds. He defrauded banks and local councils, as well as people's savings and luxury goods firm Bulgari.

Farrah-Tunnicliffe was appointed as a director of two companies, Eltex Group Limited and Stad Trading Limited in January 2017, which had both been dissolved within less than two years.

In 2019, he registered another company on Companies House called Hestex Ltd, described as a wholesale trader, which was dissolved in January 2021 and was again based at the same Brighton address.    

A further investigation was launched jointly with the National Investigation Service (NATIS). It found that Farrah-Tunnicliffe was involved in applying for and obtaining rate relief from six councils and one loan he fraudulently received during the Covid pandemic.  

Investigating officer, DS Maria Isom, of SEROCU, said: ‘This has been a lengthy and complex investigation in which Farrah-Tunnicliffe, Harper and Robertson have used multiple bank accounts to launder the proceeds of invoice and investment frauds. 

‘As a result, victims from across the world have lost large amounts of money. 

‘Farrah-Tunnicliffe was highly knowledgeable and acted as a coach to Harper and Robertson, enabling them to carry out the money laundering. 

‘Consequently, he will now spend time in prison.

‘I hope this case demonstrates the commitment that SEROCU has to tackling large-scale fraud and that offenders can expect to be caught and taken to court.’

A Proceeds of Crime Act investigation is ongoing. 

Harper and Robertson were given 12-month suspended sentences.