A West Ealing man who once specialised in tackling financial crime has been sentenced for running an illegal money lending operation that exploited vulnerable borrowers across London.
Dharmendra Devji Solanki, 58, was handed a two-year prison sentence, suspended for two years, at Inner London Crown Court last Friday (27 June 2025).
The sentence follows his admission to charges of illegal lending and money laundering, despite holding professional qualifications in anti-money laundering and having worked as a financial crime specialist.
The court heard that Solanki, who operated without authorisation from the Financial Conduct Authority, ran an unregulated credit business from his home in Bradley Gardens, West Ealing, between November 2018 and May 2022. Prosecutors said he issued loans worth over £400,000, charging interest rates of between 10% and 20%, with repayments often enforced through threats and intimidation.
Passing sentence, Recorder Shauna Ritchie acknowledged Solanki’s previous good character but said he had “taken advantage of the borrowers and their insecurities.” She told him: “You were fully trained in relation to financial crime. The business you engaged in survived by lending money to the financially vulnerable.”
Solanki’s victims were primarily from the Filipino community. In one case, a borrower repaid £1,350 on a £1,000 loan and was forced to hand over her passport. Others faced threats such as: “I want 5k on Monday, you have 48 hours. If you let me down I will sell your debt and they will charge you twice as much,” and, “You better get this to me today otherwise you have no idea how much this will impact you personally and your career.”
An Apple MacBook seized during Solanki’s arrest in May 2022 contained his CV, listing credentials such as “Financial Crime CAMS Qualified” – a reference to the Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist accreditation. Simon Mortimer, prosecuting, noted: “He is well-versed in all matters relating to offences of money laundering and would clearly have had knowledge of the illegality of his actions providing unregulated loans.”
The judge added that Solanki had “lost a great deal” due to the offences, including his job, family life and mental health. She accepted his remorse as genuine. As part of his sentence, Solanki must complete five days of rehabilitation and 120 hours of unpaid work.
The case was brought by the England Illegal Money Lending Team (IMLT), in partnership with Ealing Council Trading Standards and the Metropolitan Police.
Dave Benbow, head of the IMLT, said: “The lender in this case knew he was acting unlawfully but continued to lend money. We welcome this sentence and would urge anyone who thinks they have borrowed from an illegal lender to contact us in confidence for expert help and advice.”
Councillor Kamaljit Nagpal, Ealing Council’s cabinet member for decent living incomes, said: “Our trading standards team is committed to working with the IMLT to support victims and ensure illegal money lenders feel the full force of the law.
“Through the investigation process and prosecutions, these cases won’t be taken lightly. You can help your friends and family by looking out for any suspicious behaviour or signs that show they may be in debt to a loan shark. If you suspect that someone you know is being exploited, make sure you report it.”
Anyone affected by illegal money lending can contact the Stop Loan Sharks 24/7 Helpline on 0300 555 2222 or visit www.stoploansharks.co.uk.
