By Grant McCabe
Three individuals have appeared in the High Court in Glasgow facing charges connected to a significant gold bullion fraud operation.
Unil Theyath, 40, Umar Mohammed, 40, and Hafeeza Samreen, 35, were in the dock where Theyath, through his advocate Graham Robertson, pleaded guilty to directing others to commit an offense related to serious organized crime. The charges specify that Theyath coordinated efforts to arrange the collection and transport of gold bullion valued at £1.92 million, allegedly obtained through fraudulent means.
Mohammed and Samreen also entered guilty pleas in connection with their involvement in the organized crime operation. The indictment reveals that both were part of the scheme to transport the gold bullion to various locations, including addresses in South Lanarkshire and London, between May and August 2023.
Lord Young remanded all three in custody, with the case set to continue at a later date. Three other individuals—Mukesh Vippanapelli, 42, Vageesan Sunmugaraja, 51, and Arumaichelvam Nagamani, 63—denied their involvement in the fraud. They are accused of swindling an elderly woman, aged 86, into purchasing the gold as part of the fraudulent scheme.
These three individuals will stand trial in October 2025, with proceedings expected to last up to 15 days.