Scammer Posing as Granthi Steals Over £13,000 From UK Sangat

Berkshire : A serial fraudster has managed to steal over £13,000 from the UK Sangat and various Gurdwara Sahibs in the UK. Lakhwinder Singh has reportedly been caught using his position as a Granthi to approach Sangat members for money on a number of occasions, and then when the scam becomes apparent, he disappears.
Most recently he conducted sewa at a Gurdwara Sahib in Reading. The Gurdwara reports that background checks provided from previous Gurdwara Sahibs came back as satisfactory. However, a couple of months later, rumours about his activities were being discussed in the Sangat, which were then brought to the attention of the management committee.
Parmvir Singh, a Sevadar in the management committee at Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara Sahib, Reading, shared his experiences with Lakhwinder as his discretion became apparent.
“Lakhwinder used his trusted position in the community to take advantage of the Sangat’s respect for Granthis”, said Parmvir Singh. “A couple of months into his service at the Gurdwara Sahib we were notified that Lakhwinder had being asking Sangat for money, providing various excuses ranging from “his wife was going to leave him if he didn’t send her money in India” to “his dad was not well and he needed the money”.
“Sangat, placing their trust in the title of Giani, gave him money without questioning or involving the committee, which we believe to be above £5,000, with him promising to conduct a mixed faith marriage and taking over £1,000 from just that one victim. He also stole money which was given to him as deposits for Akhand Paaths or other Gurdwara programmes, therefore stealing directly from the Guru’s Golak.”
On initially being confronted, Lakhwinder did not initially admit his behaviour and made excuses as to why he was asking for money. He promised committee members he would stop asking for money and asked for forgiveness for any confusion it had caused in the Gurdwara.
Parmvir Singh continued, “When we asked about the deposits, he gave the excuses around family which we explained were unacceptable and he needed to pay the money back. Many details of who he has taken money off and why ,only came out after he left, with Sangat members visiting the Gurdwara Sahib and asking for him.”
After receiving information from a sangat member, Lakhwinder Singh even visited a local betting shop, near the Gurdwara, which became the final piece in the jigsaw as he was spotted participating in the gambling shop.Parmvir Singh said, “We were provided with a video from a Sangat member showing Lakhwinder in a local betting shop to investigate. It then became clear that Lakhwinder appeared to be a repeat gambler, who appears to taking money from unsuspecting Sangat to feed his habit.“After being confronted by myself and other committee members,”, said Parmir Singh, “he finally admitted his wrong-doings and asked if he could go for pesh (submit himself) in front of Panj Pyare.