The rise and fall of Tofikuddin Ovaysi
Tofikuddin Ovaysi was once a notorious fraudster who registered almost 100 bogus spirits firms with the UK’s Companies House, using names such as Chivas Sisters and Diageo Labels Limited. He claimed to be a Russian national residing in Ukraine, and boasted of having millions in capital across his fake businesses. He even pretended to be the son of former United Spirits chairman Vijay Mallya, according to some reports.
However, his scheme was exposed in 2017 by The Herald, which revealed that he had infringed the names of several well-known whisky brands and producers. He faced legal action from some of the companies he had impersonated, such as Diageo, Pernod Ricard, and Brown-Forman. He also attracted the attention of the Company Names Tribunal, which could order him to change his company names or face penalties.
A new start in the whisky industry
After his fraudulent activities were uncovered, Ovaysi decided to turn over a new leaf and pursue a legitimate career in the whisky industry. He enrolled in a whisky appreciation course at the Edinburgh Whisky Academy, where he learned about the history, production, and tasting of Scotch whisky. He also visited several distilleries in Scotland and developed a passion for the liquid gold.
He then applied for a job at the Whisky Exchange, one of the leading online retailers of whisky and other spirits. He impressed the owners with his knowledge and enthusiasm, and was hired as a sales assistant. He quickly rose through the ranks and became the head of the whisky department, overseeing the selection and sourcing of whiskies from around the world.
He also started his own whisky blog, where he shared his insights and reviews of various whiskies. He gained a loyal following of whisky enthusiasts, who appreciated his honest and informative style. He also collaborated with some of the whisky brands he had once copied, such as Chivas Regal and Balvenie, to create exclusive bottlings and events for his customers and readers.
A success story in the making
Ovaysi’s remarkable transformation from a scammer to a whisky mogul has earned him respect and admiration in the whisky industry. He has been nominated for several awards, such as the Whisky Magazine Icons of Whisky and the International Wine and Spirit Competition. He has also been featured in several media outlets, such as The Guardian and The Spirits Business.
He says he regrets his past actions and hopes to make amends by contributing positively to the whisky community. He says he has learned his lesson and wants to share his love for whisky with others. He says he is grateful for the opportunity he has been given and hopes to inspire others to follow their dreams.
“I was a fool and a crook, but I have changed my ways. I have found my true calling in whisky, and I want to spread the joy of this wonderful drink. Whisky has given me a new life, and I hope to give back to the whisky world as much as I can,” he says.
