Two brothers behind a Black Country car firm have been charged with fraud after scores of customers complained of being overcharged for repairs and conned out of money.

Prithpal and Jaspal Virdee – aged 41 and 25 respectively – face two counts of fraudulent trading at Engine Reconditioning based in Sunbeam Street, Wolverhampton.

It’s alleged the pair deceived customers by hiking prices for engine recon work – often several times the initial quote – and seizing vehicles when customers refused to pay the inflated bills. It’s also claimed customers lost money after responding to vehicle sales advertisements placed on auction websites.

Prithpal Virdee has also been charged by West Midlands Police with managing a company whilst bankrupt and 15 separate indictments of fraud by false representation, including claims he used customers’ bank card details to pay utility bills. The dates of the alleged offences are from 2013 to 2017.

Both men are due to appear at Walsall Magistrates Court today for their first appearance.