UKBA - Enforcement News Thread

Sham marriage suspect in court

22 October 2012

A Pakistani man appeared at Dungannon magistrates court on 19 October 2012 charged with attempting to evade UK immigration laws.

Muhammad Zafran, 28, was charged with seeking or obtaining leave to enter or remain in the UK by deception by marrying Agnieszka Kobus in a suspected sham marriage in Dungannon on 17 October 2012.

Two Polish women, Agnieszka Kobus, 42, the intended bride and Hanna Adamczyk, 41, who was acting as a witness, were each charged with assisting unlawful immigration (facilitation) by taking part in the suspected sham marriage.

They were released on bail to appear at Dungannon magistrates court on
9 November 2012.

Zafran was remanded in custody to re-appear at Dungannon magistrates court on 14 November 2012.

A sham marriage typically occurs when a non-European national marries someone from the European Economic Area, or the UK, as a means of attempting to gain long-term residency and the right to work and claim benefits in this country.

Earl Aiken, senior investigator for UK Border Agency in Northern Ireland said:


'We will investigate any instances where we believe immigration offences are being committed and bring our case before the courts.'

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2012/october/45-belfast-sham-marriage

Immigration fraudster jailed

22 October 2012

A Belfast man was sentenced to 15 months in jail on 19 October 2012, following an investigation by the UK Border Agency into immigration fraud.

Owen Gardner, 36, from Newtownabbey, Co Antrim was found guilty of assisting unlawful immigration at his trial in Belfast crown court on the 19 September 2012.

Officers from the UK Border Agency's specialist immigration crime team intercepted two counterfeit Spanish passports sewn inside the soles of leather slippers and sent from Nigeria to an address rented by Gardner.

When officers searched the Belfast address, they found a briefcase containing almost £4,000 in cash and thumbnail photos of a Nigerian man. In a further search at another address, officers also seized two laptop computers owned by Gardner.

A forensic examination of the laptops revealed photos that were the same as those used on the false passports.

Earl Aiken, of the UK Border Agency, said:


'We are pleased that there has been a custodial sentence in this case. As this sentence shows, abuse of our immigration system will not be tolerated.

'Facilitating illegal immigration for financial gain preys on the vulnerable.

'The message is clear, for those thinking they can get away with trying to undermine our immigration controls, we will rigorously investigate and bring all the cases where we think this is happening before the courts.'


The UK Border Agency's criminal and financial investigation team is a specialist unit of officers who investigate organised immigration crime.

Anyone with information about suspected immigration abuse can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously or complete the Report immigration crime form.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2012/october/46-Newtonabbey-fraudster

Immigration offender arrested at Faversham restaurant

22 October 2012

An illegal worker is facing removal from the UK after being arrested during a UK Border Agency raid in Faversham.

Acting on information received UK Border Agency officers went to The Raj, West Street on 19 October 2012.

Immigration checks were made on staff and a 28-year-old man from Bangladesh was found to be in the UK illegally having failed to leave the country after his visa had expired.

He was arrested and remains in UK Border Agency detention pending his removal from the UK.

The Raj has been handed a penalty notice for employing illegal workers. To avoid a fine of up to £10,000 the employers must provide evidence that the correct pre-employment checks were made on the man - such as seeing a passport or Home Office document.

Jackie Fowler, head of the agency's local immigration team in Kent said:


'Employers who take on illegal workers are both fuelling illegal immigration and undercutting businesses which play by the rules.

'The UK Border Agency is determined to stamp out abuse of the immigration system.

'We want the public to contact us if they have any information on businesses or people who are breaking immigration law.'

Every year, the UK Border Agency imposes civil penalties on hundreds of companies which fail to carry out legally-required checks on their staff.

Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit the Preventing illegal working section, or they can call the UK Border Agency's Employers Helpline on 0300 123 4699.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2012/october/48-faversham-arrest

Three arrests in trafficking investigation

23 October 2012

Three people have been arrested as part of a major UK Border Agency investigation into the alleged trafficking of women into the UK for the purposes of sexual exploitation.

The 3, 2 Hungarian men and 1 British woman, were arrested on suspicion of trafficking at locations in Croydon.

The investigation, codenamed Operation Amber, is being led by the UK Border Agency's South East criminal and financial investigation team, but today's operations also involved officers from the Sussex and Metropolitan police forces as well as the UK Human Trafficking Centre (UKHTC).

Assistant director Rob Allen, from the UK Border Agency's criminal and financial investigation team, said:


'We believe we have disrupted a significant organised crime group suspected of being involved in the trafficking of young women into the UK from Hungary.

'We have made three arrests, and our investigation will continue with evidence we have seized today.

'Human trafficking is an abhorrent crime where people are traded as commodities. We are determined to do our part to stop those behind it.'

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2012/october/50-arrest

Rainham immigration offender removed from the UK

23 October 2012

An immigration offender has been removed from the UK after a UK Border Agency raid in Rainham.

Acting on information received UK Border Agency officers went to Raj Rani, High Street on 12 October 2012.

Immigration checks were made on staff and 2 men, aged 21 and 30, from Bangladesh were found to be in the UK illegally having failed to leave the country after their visas expired. The 2 were arrested and placed in detention.

The 21-year-old was removed from the country on 21 October 2012. The 30 year-old remains in detention pending his removal from the UK.

The Raj Rani has been handed a penalty notice for employing illegal workers. To avoid a fine of up to £20,000 the employers must provide evidence that the correct pre-employment checks were made on the men, such as seeing a passport or Home Office document.

Jackie Fowler, head of the agency's local immigration team in Kent said:


'We gather intelligence about people who remain in the UK in breach of their visa conditions and we are taking action against those not entitled to be here.

'We are determined to crack down on illegal immigrants and anyone found living or working here illegally is liable to be detained and removed.'

Every year, the UK Border Agency imposes civil penalties on hundreds of companies which fail to carry out legally-required checks on their staff.

The UK Border Agency provides support to employers so they can understand the rules, including visits by staff, a dedicated telephone helpline and website.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2012/october/49-rainham

Five arrested over suspected illegal working at London security firm

24 October 2012

Our officers have arrested 5 people as part of an investigation into suspected illegal working at a security firm.

Raids were carried out at addresses in south east London on Thursday 18 October, including Blue Feathers Guarding Ltd, based in Veridion Way, Erith.

The operation was carried out by our criminal and financial investigation team, in conjunction with the Security Industry Authority (SIA). Residential addresses in Floathaven Way, Thamesmead, and Sandpiper Close, Greenhithe, were also searched.

The 5 detained included Nigerian men aged 44, 49 and 52; and a Zimbabwean woman and man aged 32 and 34.

All were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to help, apart from the 52-year-old who was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to commit fraud and illegal immigration.

Four of them were also arrested for SIA offences, as they were found engaging in licensable conduct without holding an SIA licence. The 4th person is suspected of employing unlicensed guards.

All have been bailed to return for various dates between 20 November and 4 December 2012.

Rachel Bennett, whose team led the operation, UK Border Agency said:

'This was a successful operation. With the help of partners like the Security Industry Authority we are determined to do whatever is necessary to investigate alleged abuses of our immigration system.'

Our South London criminal and financial investigation team is a specialist unit of police officers seconded from the Metropolitan Police working alongside our warranted officers to investigate organised immigration crime.

Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit the Preventing illegal working section, or they can call the UK Border Agency's Employers Helpline on 0300 123 4699.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2012/october/53-security-firm

Four arrested on suspicion of human traficking

24 October 2012

Four people were arrested this morning on suspicion of human labour trafficking following an operation carried out by our agency.

Our officers from the criminal and financial investigation team (CFI) raided 7 addresses in Huddersfield and Harrogate this morning. In total 33 officers from our agency were involved in the operation.

Our officers raided 3 business addresses in Huddersfield; Haq and Sanderson Immigration Ltd, Hillhouse Lane, Ezaah Tailorz in Lockwood Road and Ezaah Boutiques in Blacker Road. Three residential addresses in the town were also raided, along with a residential address in Harrogate.

The 4 people, three women, aged 35, 37 and 55, and a man, have been taken to police stations across Yorkshire for questioning.

The investigation is ongoing.

Adrian Watkins, Detective Inspector, UK Border Agency CFI Team said:


'Today we have arrested four individuals who we believe are part of an organised crime group involved in the trafficking of people from Pakistan to the UK. These individuals have now been taken into custody for questioning.

'Human trafficking is an extremely serious crime, which exploits some of society's most vulnerable people. The UK Border Agency will not hesitate in taking the strongest possible action against those involved.'

Our CFI team is a specialist unit of seconded police officers working alongside our warranted officers to investigate organised immigration crime.

Anyone with information about suspected immigration abuse can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously or complete the Report immigration crime form

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2012/october/52-trafficking-suspicion

Trafficking investigation three charged

25 October 2012

Three people have now been charged in connection with Operation Amber, the UK Border Agency-led investigation into the alleged trafficking of women.

35-year-old Zoltan Mohacsi, a Hungarian national of no fixed abode, was last night charged with three offences; trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation into the UK, trafficking for the purposes of sexual exploitation within the UK, and controlling prostitution for gain.

He is expected to appear before Crawley magistrates today alongside Mate Puskas, 24, a Hungarian national of Surrey Street in Croydon and Victoria Brown, also 24, of the same address. Both were charged with the same offences on 24 October 2012.

The trio were all arrested in Croydon on 23 October 2012 by the UK Border Agency's south east criminal and financial investigation team, with the assistance of Sussex police, the Metropolitan Police Service and the UK Human Trafficking Centre. The arrests were part of an investigation into the alleged trafficking of women for the purposes of prostitution.


Anyone with information about suspected immigration abuse can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously or complete the Report immigration crime form.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2012/october/55-croydon-charged3

Walmer immigration offender removed from the UK

25 October 2012

An immigration offender has been removed from the country following our raid in Walmer.

Acting on intelligence received, our officers visited Saffron Indian Takeaway, Dover Road, on 13 October.

Immigration checks were made on staff and a 21-year-old man from Bangladesh was found to be in the UK illegally having failed to leave the country after his visa had expired.

He was arrested and detained by the Agency before being removed on Saturday, 20 October.

Jackie Fowler, head of the local immigration team for Kent, UK Border Agency said:

'We gather intelligence about people who remain in the UK in breach of their visa conditions and we are taking action against those not entitled to be here.

'We are determined to crack down on illegal immigrants and anyone found living or working here illegally is liable to be detained and removed.'

Every year, the UK Border Agency imposes fines on hundreds of companies which fail to carry out legally-required checks on their staff.

We provide support to employers so they can understand the rules, including visits by staff, a dedicated telephone helpline and website.

Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit the Preventing illegal working section, or they can call the UK Border Agency's Employers Helpline on 0300 123 4699.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2012/october/54-walmer-offender

Slough visa overstayers face removal

25 October 2012

Two men who overstayed their visas are facing removal from the UK after being arrested in Slough.

The first, a 25-year-old man from Pakistan, was arrested at around 11:00 on Tuesday 23 October after he was found to be working illegally at the Chicken Delite takeaway on High Street. Officers found that the man was in the country illegally, after his student visa was curtailed.

Chicken Delite will now face a fine of up to £10,000 for employing him unless they can prove to the agency that the correct right-to-work checks were carried out.

A second man was arrested later that day as officers searched the first man's address on Cromwell Road in Slough. Officers found a 22-year-old from Pakistan at the property and checks revealed that his student visa had expired. Both men have now been detained pending their removal from the UK.

Assistant director Paul Smith, from the UK Border Agency, said:


'Those tempted to overstay their visas should be aware of the serious consequences. If you choose not to go you will be arrested, detained and removed and you will also be banned from returning.

'We're also asking all employers to make sure they carry out full and proper checks on their staff. We carry out regular enforcement visits and will continue to issue civil penalty notices of up to £10,000 to employers who use illegal labour.'

Every year, the agency imposes civil penalties on hundreds of companies which fail to carry out proper right-to-work checks on staff.

Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can call the agency's employers helpline on 0300 123 4699. Further information can be found on our Preventing illegal working pages and local immigration teams page.

Anyone who suspects that illegal workers are being employed at a business can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2012/october/59-slough-overstayers

Immigration offenders caught in north-west raids


29 October 2012

Two immigration offenders have been caught in separate raids in Co Londonderry.

Acting on intelligence, our officers targeted the Shish Mahal Takeaway on Coleraine Road, Maghera yesterday evening on 25 October to question staff and ensure they had the right to work in the UK.

After the immigration status of staff was checked, a 22-year-old Indian man was discovered to be working illegally having over-stayed his student visa.

At the Indian Royale on Market Street, Magherafelt, our officers discovered a 48-year-old Bangladeshi man also working illegally. Steps will now be taken to remove them both from the UK.

The businesses have each been issued with a fine notice for employing the illegal workers. If the employers are unable to provide evidence that legally required checks were carried out before giving them a job - such as asking for a passport or a Home Office document - they may be liable for a fine of up to £10,000 for each illegal worker.

Janet Wiseman, UK Border Agency said:


'Foreign nationals who are in this country illegally should be in no doubt that they will be found, arrested and removed from the UK.

'Businesses that think they can undercut competitors by employing illegal workers should be warned that they will face heavy fines and possible prosecution.

'We are sending a simple, clear message to people who are in the country illegally - more raids are planned and you will be caught.'


Every year, we impose fines on thousands of companies which failed to carry out legally-required checks on their staff.


Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit the Preventing illegal working section, or they can call the UK Border Agency's Employers Helpline on 0300 123 4699.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2012/october/62-offender-northwest

Immigration offenders arrested at a Rustall restaurant

29 October 2012

Two illegal workers are facing removal from the UK after being arrested during a UK Border Agency raid in Rusthall.

Acting on information received, our officers went to Green Chilli, High Street on Thursday, 25 October.

Immigration checks were made on staff and 2 Bangladeshi men, aged 33 and 41, were found to be in the UK illegally having failed to leave the country after their visas had expired.

The 2 were arrested and remain in UK Border Agency detention pending their removal from the UK.

Green Chilli has been handed a penalty notice for employing illegal workers. To avoid a fine of up to £20,000 the employers must provide evidence that the correct pre-employment checks were made on the men - such as seeing a passport or Home Office document.

Jackie Fowler, head of the local immigration team in Kent, UK Border Agency said:


'Employers who take on illegal workers are both fuelling illegal immigration and undercutting businesses which play by the rules.

'The UK Border Agency is determined to stamp out abuse of the immigration system.

'We want the public to contact us if they have any information on businesses or people who are breaking immigration law.'

Every year, we impose fines on hundreds of companies which fail to carry out legally-required checks on their staff.

We provide support to employers so they can understand the rules, including visits by staff, a dedicated telephone helpline and website.

Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit the Preventing illegal working section, or they can call the UK Border Agency's Employers Helpline on 0300 123 4699.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2012/october/63-rusthall-restaurant

Nine illegal workers arrested in Brighton and Hove


30 October 2012

Five restaurants could be facing a total of £90,000 in fines following a series of raids by our officers in Brighton and Hove.

Acting on intelligence, officers carried out the visits on Friday 26 October where they questioned staff to check if they had the right to work in the UK. Nine illegal workers were arrested at different locations in Brighton and Hove. An Algerian male, aged 33 who had overstayed his visa was arrested at Casa Della Pizza, North Street, Brighton. Two Bangladeshi men - a 24-year-old who was working in breach of his student visa and a 26-year-old had over-stayed his visa were arrested at A Brasserie Fish & Grill, Waterfront, Brighton Marina. A Chinese male who had entered the country illegally was arrested at the Lucky Star Chinese Take Away, Sackville Road, Hove. Three Chinese men were arrested at the Sichuan Garden, Ditchling Road, Brighton - a 26-year-old and 35-year-old who had both entered the country illegally and a 23-year-old who had overstayed his visa. Finally, 2 Bangladeshi men were arrested at the Ladies Mile Tandoori, Ladies Mile Road, Brighton - a 32-year-old who had entered the country illegally and a 27-year-old who had overstayed his visa.

Those arrested are currently in immigration detention while steps are taken to remove them from the country at the earliest opportunity.

All the employers were served a notice warning a fine of up to £10,000 per illegal worker found will be imposed unless proof is provided to us that the correct right-to-work checks were carried out.

Timothy Reichardt, UK Border Agency, said:


'Illegal working has a serious impact on communities, undermining legitimate businesses and taking jobs from those who are genuinely allowed to work.

'More visits like this are being planned for Sussex and whilst we're happy to work with businesses to let them know what checks need to be done on staff, those who do break the law should know that we are out there looking for them and they will face heavy fines.'

Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit the Preventing illegal working section, or they can call the UK Border Agency's Employers Helpline on 0300 123 4699.

Anyone who suspects that illegal workers are being employed at a business can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2012/october/64-brighton-hove

Illegal workers arrested at Sittingbourne takeaway

30 October 2012

Following a UK Border Agency raid in Sittingbourne, 2 illegal workers are facing removal from the UK.

Acting on information received agency officers went to Papa John's, West Street on Friday 26 October.

Immigration checks were made on staff and 2 men from India, aged 24 and 35, were found to be in the UK illegally having failed to leave the country after their visas had expired. Both men were arrested and remain in detention pending their removal from the UK.

Papa John's has been handed a penalty notice for employing illegal workers. To avoid a fine of up to £20,000 the employers must provide evidence that the correct pre-employment checks were made on the men - such as seeing a passport or Home Office document.

Jackie Fowler, head of the agency's local immigration team in Kent, said:


'Employers who take on illegal workers are both fuelling illegal immigration and undercutting businesses which play by the rules.

'The UK Border Agency is determined to stamp out abuse of the immigration system.

'We want the public to contact us if they have any information on businesses or people who are breaking immigration law.'

Every year, the agency imposes civil penalties on hundreds of companies which fail to carry out legally-required checks on their staff. The agency provides support to employers so they can understand the rules, including visits by staff, a dedicated telephone helpline and this website.

Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit our Preventing illegal working pages, or they can call the agency's employers helpline on 0300 123 4699.

Anyone who suspects that illegal workers are being employed at a business in Kent can contact intelkent@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk or 01303 247070.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2012/october/65-illegal-workers-kent

Illegal workers detained in Bury


01 November 2012

Five illegal workers are currently in detention awaiting removal from the UK following an operation by our officers in Bury.

Last night (Wednesday 31 October) acting on intelligence, our officers targeted the Ruposhi Fine Dining Indian Restaurant on Wood Street in Bury.

After the immigration status of the staff was checked 5 members of staff were found to be working illegally. One 27-year-old Bangladeshi man was working in breach of his visa while 3 other Bangladeshi men aged between 22 and 49 had all overstayed their visas. The fifth man from Pakistan aged 42-years had also overstayed his visa. All 5 men were arrested and currently remain in detention pending removal from the UK.

The business was served with a civil penalty notice for employing the illegal worker. If the employers are unable to provide evidence that legally required checks were carried out before giving the worker a job - such as asking for a passport or a Home Office document - a fine of up to £10,000 will be imposed.

Alison Wray, head of enforcement, North West, UK Border Agency said:


'We will continue our hard work to track down those who have no permission to remain in the UK. As this operation shows those found to be here illegally will be caught and will face removal from the UK.

'The UK Border Agency is also targeting unscrupulous employers who hire illegal workers, undercutting wages and potentially exploiting vulnerable workers.

'We are happy to work with businesses and advise what checks need to be carried out on staff, but those who do break the law should know that they will face heavy fines.'

Every year, we impose civil penalties on hundreds of companies which fail to carry out proper right-to-work checks on staff.

Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit our Preventing illegal working pages, or they can call the agency's employers helpline on 0300 123 4699.

Anyone who suspects that illegal workers are being employed at a business in Kent can contact intelkent@homeoffice.gsi.gov.uk or 01303 247070.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2012/november/03-illegal-workers-bury

East London immigration and benefit fraudster jailed

02 November 2012

An immigration scam gang which fraudulently siphoned over £4 million in benefits has been jailed for a total of 19 years.

The crime ring was smashed following an investigation by the UK Border Agency's criminal and financial investigation team which saw 9 people arrested during a series of coordinated dawn raids across east London in September 2011. The probe also involved a number of organisations, including HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and found the scam had been operating for around 19 years.

Ringleader Ruth Nabuguzi, 49, of Church Road in Newham, used several false identifies to fraudulently claim benefit payments for herself, helping to build a complex consisting of luxury apartments, shops, restaurants and a hotel in her home city of Kampala, Uganda. She also created false identities for people she claimed were her children or dependents that enabled them to enter the country illegally from Uganda and claim benefits illegally.

The court heard that Nabuguzi - who also went under the names of Tessie Busulwa, Jane Namusisi and Pauline Zalwango - made multiple claims for asylum and benefits for herself and others as part of an elaborate scam. She was assisted by Dennis Kyeyune, Jordan Sebutemba, Lamulah Sekiziyuvu and Albert Kaidi.

Officers who raided Kyeyune's home address in Mitcham Road, East Ham, discovered numerous 'identity packs' in a holdall and plastic bag which had been placed on top of a garden shed.

This contained passports in five different identities of Nabuguzi bearing her photograph, Home Office residency permits and various benefits application forms. Finger print analysis showed Kyeyune had handled the plastic bag. The benefits claimed were mainly housing, disability and unemployment benefits, totalling around £1.6 million.

Ruth Nabuguzi also used her alternative identities to fraudulently claim a further £2.3 million worth of prescription drugs from the NHS. She did not have to pay for prescriptions as she was claiming disability living allowance illegally.

Nabuguzi pleaded guilty to various immigration and fraud offences at a previous hearing in March 2012 and was sentenced to six years in prison at Croydon crown court.

Co-conspirators Eddie Semanda and Lina Katongola, who were arrested at a later date, also pleaded guilty to various charges. Katongola was sentenced to 1 year in prison while Semanda got a four month suspended sentence.

Yvette Syapjeu (also known as Mathy Matumba) was also arrested as part of the investigation and sentenced to 4 years in prison after pleading guilty to various charges.

Another woman, Betty Tatiana Tibakawa, who also admitted charges, will be sentenced at a future date.

Kyeyune and Kaidi were sentenced to two and a half years, while Sekiziyuvu was jailed for 3 years. Sebutemba was given a 1 year suspended sentence. A jury had found them guilty of various immigration and fraud offences on 25 October following a 6 week trial at Croydon crown court.

Alan Sentongo, 23, who lived at Kyeyune's address, was cleared by the jury of one charge of possession of articles for use in fraud, contrary to section 6(1) of the Fraud Act 2006 and one charge of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to Common Law.

Passing the sentences today, the Judge commended the UK Border Agency's criminal and financial investigation team that led this successful investigation.

Tony Erne, from the UK Border Agency, said:


'This was a major criminal operation dating back several years. Ruth Nabuguzi and her co-conspirators thought they could get away with it but our officers, working closely with other agencies, smashed their web of deceit.

'These sentences show that abuse of our immigration system for profit will not be tolerated. The message is clear to those thinking of doing the same: we will rigorously investigate people who seek to abuse the hospitality of the UK and commit crime.'

The UK Border Agency will look to deprive British nationality of all those involved in the conspiracy. Those found guilty will face deportation after they have served their jail time and will be barred from re-entering the UK for at least ten years.

The UK Border Agency and other agencies will now seek to recover the proceeds of this conspiracy through Proceeds of Crime Act legislation on behalf of the taxpayer.

Mark Simpson, DWP team fraud investigator, said:


'This case shows how sophisticated fraudsters can be when they try to steal money from taxpayers and how investigators working across different branches of government will catch these criminals and bring them to justice.

'These criminals need to know investigators from DWP, UK Border Agency, and local councils are on their tail and by working together we can pool our expertise to target and stop this fraud.'

Bob Gaiger, HMRC spokesperson, said:


'Nabuguzi stole from honest taxpayers by attacking a system designed to help those most in need of financial help. HMRC will not stand by and let fraudsters rip-off the law abiding public. We are committed to protecting public finances from attacks by organised crime.

'Crooks like Nabuguzi should beware: working alongside other government departments, HMRC will find you, prosecute you and seek to reclaim any financial gain you receive from your criminal activity.'

The UK Border Agency's south London criminal and financial investigation team is a specialist unit of police officers seconded from the Metropolitan Police working alongside warranted UK Border Agency officers to investigate organised immigration crime.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2012/november/05-east-london

Soho restaurant faces illegal worker fine

02 November 2012

A West End restaurant is facing a fine of up to £80,000 after 8 staff members were arrested during a UK Border Agency raid.

Acting on intelligence, officers visited the Old Town 97 restaurant in Wardour Street, Soho, at around 7:00pm on Saturday 27 October, where they carried out checks on staff to see if they had the right to work in the UK.

They arrested 8 employees for a variety of immigration offences. 3 Chinese men aged between 21 and 24 and a 47-year-old Chinese woman had all overstayed their visas, while 3 Chinese men aged between 23 and 43 were found to be failed asylum seekers. In addition, 1 Malaysian woman, aged 28, was found to be working in breach of her visa conditions.

All 8 were detained pending their removal from the UK.

The restaurant could now be fined up to £10,000 per illegal worker unless it can prove to the UK Border Agency that the correct right-to-work checks were carried out on employees.

Assistant Director Steve Fisher, from the UK Border Agency, said:


'Our enforcement teams are out almost every day in London carrying out operations like this and where we find someone who is in the UK we will seek to remove them.

'But we are also targeting employers who take on illegal workers. They are both fuelling illegal immigration and damaging the majority of legitimate businesses who play by the rules.

'This is why we have the power to hit those who break the law with heavy fines.'

Every year, the UK Border Agency imposes civil penalties on hundreds of companies which fail to carry out proper right-to-work checks on staff.


Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit our Preventing illegal working pages, or they can call the agency's employers helpline on 0300 123 4699

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2012/november/07-soho-restaurant

Illegal worker caught at Whitstable takeaway

03 December 2012

A man has been caught working illegally after we carried out a raid on a Whitstable takeaway.

Acting on intelligence received, our officers from the local immigration team for Kent visited Golden Moon, Old Bridge Road, on Thursday, 29 November.

Checks on the staff working there revealed a 23-year-old from China had not left the country when his visa expired.

He was arrested and remains in immigration detention pending his removal from the UK.

Jackie Fowler, head of the local immigration team in Kent, said:


'The UK Border Agency is determined to stamp out abuse of the immigration system.

'We want the public to contact us if they have any information on businesses or people who are breaking immigration law.

'Employers who take on illegal workers are both fuelling illegal immigration and undercutting businesses which play by the rules.'


The takeaway faces a potential fine of up to £10,000 unless it can prove that the appropriate pre-employment checks were carried out on the man, such as seeing a passport or Home Office document.

Every year, we impose fines on hundreds of companies which fail to carry out legally-required checks on their staff.

The agency provides support to employers so they can understand the rules, including visits by staff, a dedicated telephone helpline and website.

Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit our Preventing illegal working pages, or they can call the agency's employers helpline on 0300 123 4699.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2012/december/01-whitstable

Surrey restaurant faces illegal worker fine

03 December 2012

A Surrey restaurant is facing a fine of up to £50,000 for employing illegal workers following a raid conducted by us.

Acting on intelligence, our officers visited the Red Rose restaurant on Bellfields Road in Guildford at around 13:00 on Wednesday 28 November, where we carried out checks on staff to see if they had the right to work in the UK.

We arrested 3 men, Bangladeshi nationals aged 21, 31 and 60 for being in the country illegally having over-stayed their visas. A 4th Bangladeshi man, aged 27, was arrested for entering the UK illegally.

All 4 were detained pending their removal from the UK.

In addition a 5th Bangladeshi man was found to have no legal right to work in the UK. He had an outstanding application with us and so was escorted from the premises. If his application is unsuccessful he will also face removal.

The restaurant could now be fined up to £50,000 - £10,000 for each illegal worker - unless it can prove to us that the correct right-to-work checks were carried out on the men.

Paul Smith, assistant director, UK Border Agency said:


'Our enforcement teams are out almost every day carrying out operations like this and where we find someone who is in the UK illegally we will seek to remove them.

'But we are also targeting employers who take on illegal workers. They are both fuelling illegal immigration and damaging the majority of legitimate businesses who play by the rules.

'This is why we have the power to hit those who break the law with heavy fines.'

Every year, we impose fines on hundreds of companies which fail to carry out proper right-to-work checks on staff.

Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit our Preventing illegal working pages, or they can call the agency's employers helpline on 0300 123 4699.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2012/november/61-restaurant-illegal

New Romney immigration offender removed from the UK

04 December 2012

An immigration offender has been removed from the country after our raid in New Romney.

Acting on information received, our officers went to Curry Lounge, High Street on Monday, 8 November.

Immigration checks were made on staff and 2 men, aged 22 and 29, from Bangladesh were found to be in the UK illegally having failed to leave the country after their visas expired. The two were arrested and placed in UK Border Agency detention.

The 22-year-old was removed from the country on Friday 30 November. The 29 year-old remains in detention pending his removal from the UK.

Curry Lounge has been handed a penalty notice for employing illegal workers. To avoid a fine of up to £20,000 the employers must provide evidence that the correct pre-employment checks were made on the men - such as seeing a passport or Home Office document.

Jackie Fowler, head of our local immigration team in Kent, UK Border Agency said:


'We gather intelligence about people who remain in the UK in breach of their visa conditions and we are taking action against those not entitled to be here.

'We are determined to crack down on people breaking immigration law and anyone found living or working here illegally is liable to be detained and removed.'


Every year, we impose fines on hundreds of companies which fail to carry out legally-required checks on their staff.

We provide support to employers so they can understand the rules, including visits by staff, a dedicated telephone helpline and website.


Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit our Preventing illegal working pages, or they can call the agency's employers helpline on 0300 123 4699.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2012/december/02-romney-offender