Brothers Amrit and Prem Karra, owners of Hockley-based Karra Design and Print were each sentenced to seven years at Birmingham Crown Court yesterday, while brothers-in-law and colleagues Rajiv Kumar and Yash Mahey both received four-and-a-half-year jail terms for conspiracy to make counterfeit notes.
It follows an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA) that found the four men had bought special inks, foils and paper to use with printing equipment at what was a legitimate, family-run business, to print high-quality fake notes.
The machinery used included a used Komori Lithrone S26 and a Heidelberg platen along with various computer kit.
The counterfeiting work took place at night and during a Christmas shut-down period between 1 September 2010 and 28 February 2011.
The NCA’s investigation centred on tracking back the forged notes, discovered by bank staff and retailers across the country, which lead to a raid of the Hockley facility in March 2011.
Forensic analysis of the print equipment, which proved when it had been used and what for, was backed up by mobile phone data and vehicle licence plate recognition data that proved the men were at the premises during those times.
Prosecutor for the NCA Timothy Hannam said that although the business had been run as a legitimate enterprise for many years, the owners had turned to counterfeiting “on an industrial scale” in an effort to save the business, which had run into financial difficulties.
Commenting on the case, NCA regional head of investigations Richard Warner said: “These men ran a sophisticated operation that posed a significant threat to the UK economy at the time.
“By working closely with industry experts our officers stopped them causing more damage. Counterfeiting is not a victimless crime. It takes money out of the pockets of individuals and businesses.”
A Bank of England spokesperson said: “We are pleased with the outcome today. The Bank works closely with the National Crime Agency in the fight against counterfeiting. We are grateful for their work in pursuing this case to a successful conclusion.”
