UK vinyl counterfeiter behind major fraud operation sentenced to prison
Rehan Ahmed reportedly cashed in £2.7 million from the scheme over seven years
A west London man has been sentenced to prison after police uncovered the UK’s largest-ever haul of counterfeit vinyl records.
Ahmed was given a sentence of three years and six months at Inner London Crown Court on Friday (18th September) for his “criminal enterprise responsible for distributing thousands of counterfeit vinyl records across the UK”.
A raid in February 2024 seized 2,791 vinyl records, along with production equipment such as stampers and lacquer used in their manufacture. The plant is believed to have been operating since 2017.
Detective Constable Daryl Fryatt from the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU) at the City of London Police said: “Rehan Ahmed exploited artists and the wider music industry, taking advantage of the resurgence in vinyl records for his own gain. We will continue to pursue criminals who target the creative industries and bring them to justice when they do.”
Fryatt continued: “This case should send a clear message to anyone selling counterfeit vinyl, it is illegal and we will take action.”
Peter Ratcliffe, the BPI’s Director of Content Protection, also highlighted an increase in counterfeit operations. “With music on physical formats enjoying a resurgence, the market in counterfeit records has unfortunately also been growing as criminals cash in at the expense of creators and fans.”
UK vinyl sales are at an 18-year high, according to a report released in March by the Entertainment and Retail Association (ERA). The report also found that 41.2% of all vinyl records are now sold in physical record stores.
Last year, a documentary was released looking at the impact and influence of record shops specialising in Black music.
