FINANCIAL FRAUDSTER NEWS INVESTIGATIONS EXCLUSIVE: Net closes in on OCG conspirators of property fraud ring who thought they were above the law
Senior Solicitor Accused of Masterminding Multi-Million Pound Property Fraud Ring
LONDON– Victims have accused Sanjay Panesar [Pictured Below], a senior partner at Rainer Hughes Solicitors, of being the architect behind a sophisticated property fraud ring.
The organised crime group allegedly orchestrated a series of fraudulent property acquisitions and mortgage transactions, causing devastating losses and misery for its victims.
The scheme, described by a former fraud detective as "the typical work of an organised crime group," allegedly involved two solicitor firms and a landlord, Joshua Jacob Friedlander, who is accused of being the primary beneficiary.
The Alleged Scheme
At the heart of the operation's "selling side" was Just & Brown Solicitors Ltd, directed by Alvin Just [Pictured Below], a former solicitor and convicted fraudster. According to allegations, Just, using multiple aliases, would mislead property sellers into allowing him to act as their conveyancer. He would then allegedly use bogus power of attorney documents to sell their properties without their knowledge, pocketing the entire proceeds of the sale. In many cases, this included funds that were due to be paid to the sellers' mortgage lenders.
The "buying side" of the fraud was allegedly managed by Joshua Jacob Friedlander, a Stamford Hill-based landlord with a previous conviction for drug dealing. Friedlander, a known associate of Just, is accused of willingly receiving the fraudulently obtained properties. The scheme allegedly allowed him to deceive mortgage lenders by manipulating purchase prices to create the illusion that a deposit had been paid when, in reality, it had not. Public records from HM Land Registry show Friedlander has acquired a large portfolio of properties, many of which are now believed to be linked to this fraudulent business model.
The Key Players
Alvin Just: The Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) has confirmed that Just has been struck off for fraudulent conduct. He is now the subject of a multi-agency task force investigation in connection with frauds estimated to exceed £4.2 million. Believed to be hiding in Jamaica, Just operated Just & Brown Solicitors Ltd under the alias "Jonathan Just" from a residential address in Edmonton, London, allegedly with assistance from his estranged partner, Donneth Just.
Joshua Jacob Friedlander: Beyond the property fraud allegations, Friedlander has faced other recent legal troubles. The London Borough of Haringey successfully prosecuted him for illegally converting a property into multiple rooms, exploiting London renters with accommodation deemed unfit for purpose. During an inspection of the same property, British Gas discovered that Friedlander had used sophisticated equipment to illegally bypass the gas meter and siphon gas.
Sanjay Panesar & Rainer Hughes Solicitors: Friedlander instructed Essex-based Rainer Hughes Solicitors to act on his behalf in the property purchases. Victims allege the firm was the "facilitator-in-chief," enabling the fraud by failing to conduct the necessary Know-Your-Customer (KYC) and anti-money laundering (AML) checks. These due diligence protocols are required to verify a client's identity and prevent criminal activity. It is further alleged that as investigations have progressed, Rainer Hughes has attempted to legitimise the sham transactions by producing forged bank statements to mislead courts.
Investigation and Fallout
The combined actions of Just & Brown Solicitors Ltd and Rainer Hughes have been described as a "facilitation service" for mortgage fraud and money laundering, leaving at least one victim destitute and homeless.
After reviewing evidence provided by Financial Fraudster News Investigations, retired fraud detective John Smith commented, "This is the typical work of an organised crime group. Despite structures to prevent this type of fraud, the SRA and AML regulations have very little effect when competing with greed founded in an OCG formed by professionals such as solicitors. But as always, greed will be the OCG’s undoing."
With civil proceedings now underway, the alleged co-conspirators are in a precarious position. It is believed that Panesar, Friedlander, and Just each possess enough information about the others' roles to assist authorities in potential prosecutions, creating a high-stakes standoff as they face mounting legal pressure.
Just & Brown Solicitors Ltd, Rainer Hughes Solicitors, and Joshua Jacob Friedlander have all declined to comment on this article.
For further inquiries, contact:
Financial Fraudster News Investigations Team
@FraudsterNews or @therealfinancialfraudsternews or @the_real_FFN
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