Rehan Ahmed, a 40-year-old father of three from Southall in west London, was sentenced to three and a half years in prison for creating and selling fake vinyl records of well-known artists like Taylor Swift, Coldplay, and Kendrick Lamar. Ahmed admitted to breaching copyright laws and using illegal property. The judge emphasized the “sophisticated and planned nature” of his operation, which caused significant harm to the music industry. Ahmed ran his business under the names Phoenix of Vinyl and Paragon Music, producing counterfeit records that were sold to shops and consumers through online platforms like eBay and Discogs. eBay, in 2025, removed over 7.9 million items it deemed potentially illegal or counterfeit, stating it takes swift action to prevent such activity. During a police raid, officers discovered 15,000 counterfeit records at Ahmed’s factory. Previously, Ahmed had worked in legitimate businesses such as takeaway food and bodybuilding supplements. The rise in popularity of vinyl records, which saw a 13.3% increase in UK sales in 2025, appears to have drawn him into the illegal market. In the US, the value of vinyl sales reached over $1 billion for the first time in 40 years, leading to higher prices for records, with some selling for up to £40. Ahmed was part of a growing underground network producing counterfeit vinyl records. The British Phonographic Industry (BPI) reported that it had executed 43 search warrants targeting illegal records, seizing around 600,000 items with an estimated street value of up to £8 million. Some fakes, like those of Frank Ocean’s Channel Orange, were particularly easy to spot because the original vinyl was only released in 2025, creating an opportunity for counterfeiters. Ahmed’s factory, which operated at night, was described as a chaotic environment with old machinery and chemicals stored alongside drinks. Police found receipts scattered and no cutting lathe, a crucial machine for creating original records. This indicated that Ahmed used existing records to make copies, rather than producing original masters. He outsourced labels and sleeves to a factory in Kent. The operation was uncovered during an investigation into the counterfeit vinyl trade, following a case involving another trader named Richard Hutter. Ahmed’s business had previously received a legal cease and desist order in 2017 but continued for seven more years. Police and BPI experts had to contact over 100 record labels to confirm copyright violations before charges were filed. Ahmed, who admitted to running the operation, was charged in February 2025, though charges against his siblings were later dropped. The BPI expressed concern over the poor quality of the counterfeit records found, including warped discs and bad sound. While acknowledging the rising cost of vinyl, BPI officials stressed the need to protect the industry and prevent money from counterfeiting from funding other crimes. In April, police raided a Luton warehouse, seizing counterfeit records worth £260,000, and more investigations are ongoing.