Summary
A man named Thomas Robinson was found guilty of running a scam that involved selling fake "Scottish-grown tea" to luxury hotels and stores. He claimed the tea was grown in Scotland but actually imported it from other countries, making over £550,000 in the process.
Key Facts
- Thomas Robinson tricked high-end places like Edinburgh's Balmoral Hotel and the Dorchester in London.
- He falsely claimed the tea was grown in Perthshire, Scotland.
- Robinson imported the tea from abroad, repackaged it, and sold it at high prices.
- He also misled aspiring Scottish tea growers by selling them imported plants.
- His false claims were even included in luxury hotel menus.
- Robinson used a mailbox address in Glasgow to conceal his activities.
- A food standards investigation started to uncover his scheme.
- He was found guilty of defrauding various buyers of nearly £553,000.
