Perthshire Man Convicted of £550K Scottish Tea Fraud Targeting Top Hotels

Thomas Robinson, also known as Tam O’Braan or Thomas O’Brien, was found guilty of orchestrating a £550,000 fraud by selling imported tea as authentically Scottish-grown to prestigious clients such as the Balmoral Hotel, the Dorchester, and Fortnum and Mason. Operating under the name The Wee Tea Plantation, Robinson fabricated elaborate stories about cultivating tea on a Perthshire farm using a special biodegradable polymer and claimed multiple false credentials, including being a polymer scientist and having military experience. He rented land and showcased tea plants bought from UK nurseries for appearances, while the actual tea was sourced from abroad, including northern Italy and Africa, then repackaged and sold at inflated prices. Robinson also misled genuine Scottish tea growers by selling them plants under false pretenses and bolstered his credibility through fabricated academic qualifications and awards. The extensive investigation by Food Standards Scotland highlighted the significant financial and reputational damage caused to businesses and the emerging Scottish tea sector, with further proceeds of crime actions planned. Robinson was sentenced after a jury convicted him on two counts of fraud, with authorities emphasizing the complexity of food fraud detection and their commitment to protecting Scotland’s food and drink reputation.