India, Aug. 30 -- An Indian-origin mastermind of a fake designer clothing scam has been directed to pay back (90 million pounds) or face more time in prison.

The scam mastermind was identified as 57-year-old Arif Patel.

"The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) secured a Confiscation Order against Arif Patel, 57, at Chester Crown Court on 28 August 2025," Crown Prosecution Service said in a statement.

Clothing manufacturer Arif Patel, of Preston, and his criminal gang stole £33.4 million from the UK government through fake VAT repayment claims on false exports of textiles and mobile phones. They also imported and sold counterfeit clothes valued at over £19.19m. They set up a sophisticated chain of sham companies to cover their tra...