Charity Cash Scandal: Man Jailed for Laundering Millions from Fake ED and Slimming Pills
Edward Cohen, 67, has been locked up for nearly a decade after laundering millions through charity-linked bank accounts in a massive counterfeit pill racket.
Million-Pound Laundering through Charity Accounts
On 4 July, Cohen of Paget Road, London N16, was sentenced to nine years and nine months in prison after being convicted of money laundering, theft, and benefit fraud. His offences included running a scheme selling fake erectile dysfunction and slimming pills through websites targeting Europe – especially Austria, Germany, Switzerland, and France.
Cohen used charity bank accounts linked to Chabad UK to funnel payments. Between 2012 and 2014, the fraudulent network processed over £10.3 million, mostly from overseas customers, with only a tiny fraction actually going to charity.
Fake Pills, Fake Charity, Real Jail Time
- Cohen was found guilty of money laundering, theft totaling £165,000, and providing false information to the Charity Commission.
- He manipulated nine companies within the Chabad charity network, seven of which were registered charities, to mask his illegal profits.
- Thousands of pounds were diverted into Cohen’s personal accounts from donated funds.
Complex European Racket Exposed
Police investigations, launched in 2013 by the London Regional Asset Recovery Team, uncovered a sprawling operation linked to other European probes into counterfeit online pharmacies.
Detective Sergeant John Nagle said:
“Edward Cohen ran a pan-European scam selling dangerous counterfeit medication, pocketing millions. To hide the cash, he used legitimate charity bank accounts that he controlled, stealing donations for his own benefit.” “This complex, years-long investigation shows there’s always a money trail, and criminals will be caught.”
Benefit Fraud and Family Fallout
Cohen was also convicted in 2019 for £233,000 worth of housing benefit fraud, involving properties he manipulated using shell companies. His son, David Cohen, 38, was acquitted of money laundering but handed a six-month suspended sentence and community service for £15,000 fraud.
This high-profile case sends a stark warning to anyone thinking they can run dodgy online businesses hiding behind charities. The long arm of the law is on the money trail.
