Over the course of more than a decade the perpetrators of the fraud made millions of pounds by manipulating spreadsheets on the Royal Mail self-declaration system that was used by large mailing firms at the time.

Narinder Sandhu is the owner of the company that was at the centre of the scam, Packpost International Ltd based in Aylesbury.

Sandhu, from Beaconsfield, had pleaded guilty prior to a trial that began in the summer of last year, and that ended abruptly after others involved admitted their guilt.

His luxury lifestyle has generated numerous tabloid headlines, and the fraudsters' actions have been described by the Daily Mail as the biggest postal scam ever. 

The fraud began in 2005, while the charges related to the period from 2008-2017.

At Southwark Crown Court last Thursday (8 February) Judge Philip Bartle KC jailed Sandhu for four years.

His brother Parmjeet Sandhu, the director and owner of Tiger International Logistics Ltd and Worldwide Transport Express Ltd in Slough, pleaded guilty to a charge of obtaining services dishonestly.

Parmjeet Sandhu is from Iver. He was given a 24 month prison sentence suspended for two years, and must also complete 150 hours of unpaid work.

James Mooney, from Bournemouth, a director of Unique Logistic Solutions Ltd, admitted conspiracy to commit fraud.

He was given a 21 month sentence, suspended for two years.

At the sentencing, Judge Bartle said: “The Royal Mail operated a self-declaration system for large customers. These three defendants took advantage of this weakness to persistently under-declare mail for almost a decade.

“I accept on the case of each of these defendants they are genuinely remorseful. I have no doubt they are genuinely remorseful and that is shown in their willingness to make not only compensation but, very, very, substantial compensation.”

The amount of compensation was not disclosed. Royal Mail had not commented at the time of writing.