UKBA - Enforcement News Thread

Everyone will agree that trafficking in women for prostitution is a disgusting crime,

Out of interest I followed the link to see if there has been an update - were the men charged, detained, released, deported?

Complete radio silence.

Operation Nexus results in more than 175 removals

03 January 2013

More than 175 of London's most prolific foreign national offenders have been removed from the UK in just a few months as a result of a joint operation by the UK Border Agency and the Metropolitan Police Service (MPS).

Operation Nexus was launched at the start of September to target the increasing number of high-harm foreign national and immigration offenders in London.

Immigration Minister Mark Harper said:


'I've been clear that we will take all possible action against individuals who pose a risk to the public and remove them from the country at the earliest opportunity.

'Through our combined work with the police we are using the full force of immigration powers on those who seek to commit crime and damage our communities.

'The success of this operation proves that foreign nationals who continue to offend in this country will be arrested and removed from the UK.'

Many of the operation's successes have come as a result of posting our officers in 21 custody suites across London. This now allows us to run real-time immigration checks on individuals bought into custody for a crime and establish if they are wanted abroad, have previous convictions abroad or are here illegally.

Operation Nexus also provides us and the police with additional tactics, for example:
Unknown prints at police crime scenes and other forensic markers are now being run against our biometric databases in a bid to solve previously unsolved crimes, both in the UK and abroad.
Working relationships have been established with police officers from countries where high volumes of offenders are identified to help share information and further speed up removals, 20 officers have already been seconded from Romania.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/january/02-nexus

Hayes passport fraud couple jailed

07 January 2013

A husband and wife from West London have been jailed for making and supplying false passports and identity documents following an investigation by us.

Algerian nationals Abdelkrim Khetib, 50, and Hayat Moulay-Khetib, 46, both of Forge Close in Hayes, were arrested in September 2012 after a package containing blank counterfeit Portuguese passports and counterfeit holographic designs for use in passports was intercepted by Border Force officers at Coventry international postal hub.

When Border Force officers raided their home they found further packages containing fake Dutch and French passports, laminated passport pages, counterfeit Schengen visas and bogus official stamps.

There was also evidence of money transfers made to Thailand, where the packages had originated from, and evidence the counterfeit documents were being sold to illegal immigrants in the UK to make it look like they had the right to work in the EU.

During a hearing at Isleworth crown court on 30 November 2012 they both admitted charges of possessing false identity documents, contrary to the Identity Documents Act 2010, while Abdelkrim Khetib admitted an additional charge of possessing prohibited articles or material contrary to the Identity Documents Act 2010.

On Friday 4 January Abdelkrim Khetib was sentenced to 3 years and 4 months in prison, while his wife was jailed for 8 months.

Andy Shortland, West London criminal and financial investigation team, UK Border Agency said:

'There is no doubt in my mind that had this couple not been stopped these documents would have ended up being used to create false identities, or help people work, claim benefits or stay illegally in the UK.

'My officers worked closely with colleagues at Border Force and the UKBA's National Document Fraud Unit to bring this case to court and, ultimately, put these criminals behind bars.'

Stephen Jones, Coventry international postal hub, Border Force said:

'Border Force officers are on alert to prevent things like counterfeit passports and documents entering the UK, as well as illegal drugs, weapons and counterfeit goods.

'Their vigilance was key to this criminal couple being stopped in their tracks.'

The UK Border Agency's West 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.

Anyone with information about immigration offenders can report crime on this website, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/january/04-hayes-jailed

Sham marriage bride jailed

08 January 2013

A woman from Leicester has been sentenced to 15 months in jail at Downpatrick crown court today (8 January) for her part in an attempted sham marriage.

The sentence is the result of an investigation by our officers who stopped a wedding taking place at Downpatrick register office on 5 October 2011.

Ayesha Mullan, 26, had flown to Belfast that day along with an Indian man who she had met only twice before and travelled on to Downpatrick where the wedding was planned to take place.

Following her arrest, Mullan was questioned by our officers and admitted marrying other men in sham marriages both in the UK and India after meeting the grooms only briefly. She also admitted that she had been married to a British man since 2010.

The would-be groom in Downpatrick, 38-year-old Salauddin Daudbhai Bhadki was sentenced last year to 15 months in jail after pleading guilty to immigration offences at Downpatrick crown court.

After serving his jail term, he has since been deported from the UK.

Mullan pleaded guilty on 19 November 2012 at the same court to Conspiracy to Assist Unlawful Immigration and Bigamy and was sentenced today.

Andrea Anderson, UK Border Agency said:


'This woman thought she could abuse the immigration rules and evade justice by arranging a sham marriage at a location where she was not known.

'As this case shows, Northern Ireland is not a soft touch for this type of crime and we will prosecute those fraudsters who facilitate illegal immigration as well as those who have no right to be in the UK.'

Anyone with information about immigration offenders can report crime on this website, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/january/05sham-marriage-bride

Six arrested at Scottish registration offices

11 January 2013

Six immigration offenders are due to be removed from the country after a series of UK Border Agency operations at registration offices across Scotland.

In this week's operations our officers acted on intelligence to investigate weddings scheduled to take place at registration offices in Glasgow, Annan and Greenock.

On Monday 7 January at Park Circus, in Glasgow, a 32-year-old Nigerian man who was attempting to marry a 31-year-old Slovakian woman was arrested and detained on suspicion of immigration offences before the marriage could take place.

When officers questioned the couple it emerged that the would-be groom had paid someone £100 to drive him from London to Glasgow and that he had also paid the woman, who has an address in Wolverhampton, £1,000 to marry him.

In the operation at Annan, on Tuesday 8 January, a 25-year-old Pakistani man was arrested as he attempted to marry a 25-year-old Bulgarian woman.

Two other Pakistani men aged 20, and 28, were also arrested, and all 3 were all detained on suspicion of immigration offences.

It was discovered during questioning by officers that they had all travelled together to Annan from Preston in Lancashire.

At Greenock registration office on 10 January a 23-year-old Pakistani man was arrested before he could take part in what he admitted was to be a sham marriage to a 25 -year-old Czech woman who has an address in Glasgow.

A 25- year-old Pakistani man who was a guest at the wedding was also arrested on suspicion of immigration offences.

Another guest at the bogus ceremony was served with a Notice of Potential Liability on behalf of the Manzil Indian takeaway on Princes Street, Port Glasgow for illegally employing the would-be groom. Steps will now be taken to remove all those detained from the UK.

Adam Scarcliffe, UK Border Agency said:

'Anyone in the UK illegally and seeking to evade our immigration laws should take heed of this latest operation, and expect to be found by us and removed from the UK.

'The UK Border Agency is working with colleagues at registration offices throughout Scotland and receives intelligence from a wide variety of sources. We will not hesitate to act against those who mistakenly believe that they can abuse the immigration system.'

Anyone with information about immigration offenders can report crime on this website, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/january/09-registration-office

False documents found at Birmingham airport

11 January 2013

Our crime investigators are appealing for the public's help in finding a man whose photo has appeared on fake documents.

During a routine search of incoming mail at Birmingham airport, our officers recently intercepted several counterfeit passports and driving licences all bearing the photo of 1 man.

Neil Cross, criminal and financial investigations team, UK Border Agency said:


''We would urge the public to contact us if they recognise this man. (follow the link to see the photograph)

'Anyone with possible information about immigration crime should contact the UK Border Agency on 0121 713 3184, or contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 where anonymity can be assured.'

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/january/08-false-birmingham

Not wanting to state the obvious...

Not only will these documents have the gentleman's photograph, they should all contain his name and address!

Do I get a detective badge, or have I missed something?

You're not thinking with a criminal mind

Three illegal immigrants arrested in Maidenhead

14 January 2013

Three people have been arrested for being in Britain illegally following an operation by our officers in Maidenhead.

Acting on intelligence, officers visited the premises of AK Barbers on Queen Street at around 12:45 on Wednesday 9 January where they carried out checks on staff.

Two men from Pakistan were arrested, a 27-year-old man was arrested for entering the UK illegally, the other, also aged 27, for overstaying his visa.

Officers then moved on to a residential address in Grenfell Road where they arrested at 24-year-old Indian male who had overstayed his visa.

All 3 men remain detained pending their removal from the UK.

Paul Smith, head of Thames Valley enforcement, UK Border Agency, said:


'This was the latest in a series of operations in the Thames Valley and those who are here illegally should know that we are out there looking for them.

'We will seek to remove them from the UK and they will also be banned from returning.'

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 with information about immigration offenders can report crime on this website, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/january/11-illegal-maidenhead

Four illegal workers arrested in Reading

14 January 2013

Four people have been arrested following raids by our officers on businesses in Reading.

Acting on intelligence, officers visited Moons Grill on Oxford Road at around 16:30 on Thursday 10 January, where they carried out checks on staff to see if they had the right to work in the UK.

They arrested a 29-year-old man from Pakistan who was working in breach of his student visa. He was detained pending his removal from the UK.

Officers then moved on to Red Rose Indian Cuisine on Headley Road in Woodley.

There they arrested 3 men, a 43-year-old from India and 2 from Bangladesh aged 25 and 24, all for overstaying their visas. They were also detained pending their removal.

Both businesses have been warned that they will face fines of up to £10,000 per illegal worker unless they can prove to the UK Border Agency that the correct right-to-work checks were carried out on the men.

Paul Smith, head of Thames Valley enforcement, UK Border Agency said:


'Employers who take on illegal workers are both fuelling illegal immigrations and damaging the majority of legitimate businesses who play by the rules.

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

'This is the latest in a series of raids we've carried out in Berkshire, and more are planned in the future. For those who are in the country illegally there is no hiding place.'

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.

Anyone with information about immigration offenders can report crime on this website, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/january/10-four-reading

Four arrested following raid in South London

15 January 2013

Four people have been arrested following our raid on a Tooting convenience store.

Acting on intelligence, our officers visited Sun Fresh Food and Halal Meat, Upper Tooting Road, around 10:25 on Friday 11 January where they questioned staff to check if they had the right to work in the UK.

In the shop they arrested a 22-year-old Afghan man who was a failed asylum seeker and a 34-year-old Pakistani man who had entered the country illegally.

The business was served a notice warning a fine of up to £20,000 - £10,000 for each illegal worker found on the shop premises. This will be imposed unless proof is provided to the us that the correct right-to-work checks were carried out.

Our officers also arrested Pakistani men aged 24 and 35 who were found hiding in a yard to the rear of the building. Both had overstayed their visas.

All 4 arrested are currently in immigration detention while we take steps to remove them from the country at the earliest opportunity.

Jill Smith, head of South London enforcement, UK Border Agency said:


'We regularly carry out operations like this in London, and where we find people who are in the UK illegally we will seek to remove them.

'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 London 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 our Preventing illegal working pages, or they can call the agency's employers helpline on 0300 123 4699.

Anyone with information about immigration offenders can report crime on this website, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/january/14-arrested-soulondon

Aberdeenshire restaurant fined £25,000 for illegal workers

15 January 2013

An Aberdeenshire restaurant has been fined £25,000 in civil penalties for employing illegal workers, and two other Aberdeen eateries have also been fined a total of £13,750, details recently published by the UK Border Agency show.

The Spice Mill in Grandholm Village was visited in March last year by UK Border Agency officers acting on intelligence received.

When all members of staff were interviewed, eight Bangladeshi men were found to have no right to work in the UK. The restaurant was closed after the UK Border Agency operation, as there were no staff left to run it. It has now received a £25,000 civil penalty.

The Spice Mill is facing a second fine after five Bangladeshi men were found working illegally there in another UK Border Agency operation in July 2012.
As part of the ongoing crackdown into illegal working, two other Aberdeen eateries have also been fined.

The Jewel in the Crown restaurant in Crown Street has been fined £8,750 after two Bangladeshi men and one Nepalese man were found working there illegally by UK Border Agency officers in January 2012.

A £5,000 fine has also been handed out to the Mr Wu takeaway in George Street after a UK Border Agency operation found a Chinese man working illegally there in February 2012.

All three businesses were issued with potential fine notices for employing illegal workers. They were then given an opportunity to prove that the correct right-to-work checks were made before the workers were taken on. They failed to do so and have now been handed the fines.

Adam Scarcliffe of the UK Border Agency in Scotland said:


'Our officers are carrying out operations throughout Aberdeenshire to target unscrupulous employers who hire illegal workers, are undercutting wages and potentially exploiting vulnerable workers.

'The UK Border Agency is 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 like these businesses.

'Anyone with information on suspected immigrations offenders should contact us or call Crimestoppers.'

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 with information about immigration offenders can report crime on this website, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/january/17-Aberdeenshire

Six arrested as part of investigation into south London care company

16 January 2013

Our officers have arrested 6 people as part of an investigation into suspected assistance of illegal workers and fraud at a care company based in Sutton.

The operation at Carefirst 24 was carried out by our criminal and financial investigation team with assistance from the Metropolitan Police Service.

Our officers entered the company's headquarters in Upper Mulgrave Road, Sutton, at around 10:30 on Tuesday 15 January where they arrested 4 people on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud and conspiracy to assist foreign nationals.

The 4 included 2 British women aged 48 and 52, a 52-year-old British man and a 34-year-old Mauritian man.

Our officers also arrested a Filipino man and woman on suspicion of the same offences on Monday 14 January at a separate South London address.

All those arrested have been bailed until various dates in April.

Carefirst 24 provides contract care, private care and care facilities to elderly people across Sutton and Surrey.

If you or a relative are receiving care from Carefirst 24, please contact either Lynn Stephens at Surrey County Council on 07975 590302 or the Brokerage Team at the London Borough of Sutton on 020 8770 4554 urgently to seek advice so replacement care can be provided immediately.

Rachel Bennett, UK Border Agency said:

'This was a successful operation. With the help of partners like the Metropolitan Police Service and Sutton Borough Council we are determined to do whatever is necessary to investigate alleged abuses of our immigration system."

Sarah Rees, detective inspector, criminal invesigation department (CID) said:

'This morning's operation was a good example of the Met Police in Sutton and the UK Border Agency working closely together to protect elderly and vulnerable people and to keep them safe.

'The operation went to plan and passed without incident thanks to co-operation of all those involved.'

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.

Anyone with information about immigration offenders can report crime on this website, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/january/18-carecompany-arrested

Illegal worker caught in Castlederg


16 January 2013

A Castlederg takeaway faces a large fine after our officers caught an Indian man working there illegally.

Acting on intelligence, officers targeted the Taste of India takeaway on Main Street, Castlederg on 15 January 2013 to question staff and ensure they had the right to work in the UK.

After the immigration status of staff was checked, a 51-year-old man was discovered to be working illegally having over-stayed his visa.

He was arrested and placed in detention while steps are being taken to remove him from the UK.

The business has been issued 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 him 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.

Mike Golden, from the 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 imposes civil penalties on hundreds 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 our Preventing illegal working pages, or they can call the agency's employers helpline on 0300 123 4699.

Anyone with information about immigration offenders can report crime on this website, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/january/21-illegal-castlederg

Sham marriage groom jailed

17 January 2013

A 'groom' who took part in a sham marriage in March 2009 has been jailed for 10 months at Manchester crown court today.

Josef Kovac, a 33-year-old Slovakian, was jailed on Wednesday 16 January after pleading guilty to assisting unlawful immigration and perjury.

Mr Kovac had taken part in a sham marriage to Oluwabanke Oluwafemi in March 2009 at St Augustine's Church, Accrington, Lancashire. Ms Oluwafemi, a 37-year-old Nigerian woman, is already serving a 2 year sentence after she was found guilty of perjury and identity card offences at Manchester crown court in November 2011.

Both Kovac and Oluwafemi gave differing accounts of how they met and when they got engaged. Mr Kovac also had little knowledge of the Accrington area he claimed to reside in and could not even remember the date of his own wedding.

Investigators were alerted to possible sham marriages in Accrington after clergy reported suspicions that certain couples had falsely claimed to reside in the parish area and provided fraudulent documents.

We investigated and uncovered a string of suspected sham marriages which had taken place at churches in Accrington between December 2008 and July 2009.

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.

Dave Magrath, Head of the crime team in the North West, UK Border Agency said:

'Mr Kovac showed a complete disregard for our immigration laws and today he has paid the price for his actions. The UK Border Agency is taking strong action to crack down on sham marriages nationwide. Our message could not be clearer - we will not tolerate immigration abuse and offenders will be caught and face justice.'

Anyone with information about immigration offenders can report crime on this website, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/january/24-sham-jailed

Two arrests in Burnley following UK Border Agency operation

17 January 2013

Two people have been arrested for immigration offences following an operation carried out by our officers at a takeaway in Burnley.

Acting on intelligence, officers visited the Chicken Cottage on Rosegrove Lane in Burnley on 16 January 2013 where they carried out checks on staff to see if they had the right to work in the UK.

Two Pakistani men, aged 25 and 44, were arrested on suspicion of immigration offences including overstaying their visas and working in breach of their visa conditions. Both men were working illegally and are currently detained pending their removal from the UK.

Their employer will be fined up to £10,000 per illegal worker unless evidence is provided to us that the correct right-to-work checks were carried out.

Alison Wray, head of north west enforcement, 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 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 www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/advice-for-employers or they can call our Employers Helpline on 0300 123 4699.

For more information and contact details for Local Immigration Teams in London visit: http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/your-region/london-se/local-immigration-teams/

Anyone who suspects that illegal workers are being employed at a business can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 anonymously or visit http://www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/january/23-illegal-burnley

Immigration offenders caught in Antrim

18 January 2013

An Antrim restaurant faces a large fine after our officers caught 2 Bangladeshi men working there illegally.

Acting on intelligence, our officers targeted Zara's Indian restaurant on Market Square, Antrim on 17 January to question staff and ensure they had the right to work in the UK.

After the immigration status of staff was checked, the 2 men aged, 30, and 33 were discovered to be working illegally.

They were arrested and placed in our detention while steps are being taken to remove them from the UK.

The business has 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 employee.

Mike Golden, 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 hundreds 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 our Preventing illegal working pages, or they can call the agency's employers helpline on 0300 123 4699.

Anyone with information about immigration offenders can report crime on this website, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/january/27-offenders-antrim

International sham marriage gang jailed

21 January 2013

Eighteen members of a sham marriage gang that centred on South Yorkshire and stretched to Pakistan have been jailed for more than 27 years.

The gang staged fake wedding ceremonies in Pakistan to attempt to get leave to remain in the UK for Pakistani nationals.

On 18 January 2013 Sheffield crown court heard how the weddings took place over a two year period, with Pakistani nationals marrying Czech, Slovak and British brides and grooms. The bogus brides and grooms flew from the UK to Pakistan for the weddings which took place despite many of the couples not speaking the same language.

The ring was smashed following an investigation carried out by the UK Border Agency which resulted in ten arrests in Rotherham in February 2011. Over the next few months more arrests were made in Bradford and Sheffield.

The UK Border Agency's Sheffield criminal and financial investigations team established that the gang worked with women from eastern Europe who came to the UK and were willing, for a price, to marry Pakistani men living in Pakistan.

The scam aimed to exploit the right of spouses of EU nationals to come to the UK. Pakistani nationals marrying EU nationals could potentially gain long-term residency rights in the UK as well as the right to work and claim benefits.

The organisers hoped that by arranging the weddings in Pakistan, rather than the UK, they were less likely to be detected. But the scam was stopped after UK Border Agency officers in the British High Commission in Islamabad noticed a large number of suspect visa applications from Pakistani nationals wanting to join their spouse or fiancée in the UK.

No Pakistani national involved in the scam was able to gain the right to enter or remain in the UK following the investigation by the UK Border Agency.

Following trials at Sheffield crown court in September and October 2012, 18 people were found guilty of conspiracy of attempting to breach immigration control.

Warrants for the arrests of two people who failed to attend trial have been issued. Two further Pakistani men were also given cautions for their involvement with the ring.

Immigration Minister Mark Harper said:

'This investigation shows that the UK Border Agency is taking strong action to crack down on sham marriages whether they take place in this country or overseas.

'Immigration crime is not victimless. It preys on some of society's most vulnerable people and defrauds the taxpayer. The sentences handed out today send a clear message to anyone tempted to break immigration rules. We have the resources, expertise and technology to catch you, and you will pay with your liberty.'

Mark Bates, from the UK Border Agency crime directorate, said:

'This international crime group systematically abused the immigration system and showed a total disregard for the sanctity of marriage.

'Their criminal activity was well organised and carried out over a number of years across two continents. As a result of our investigation the perpetrators of these cynical crimes are now behind bars.'

Anyone with information about immigration offenders can report crime on this website, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/january/28-international-sham

Two immigration offenders caught at Ashford takeaway

25 January 2013

Two men have been caught working illegally after the UK Border Agency carried out a raid on an Ashford takeaway.

Acting on intelligence received, officers visited Super Pizza, New Street, on Wednesday 23 January.

Checks on the staff working there found that a 22-year-old man from Afghanistan had entered the UK illegally, while a man aged 28 from Pakistan had not left the country when his visa expired.

Both men were arrested and remain in immigration detention pending their removal from the UK.

Jackie Fowler, head of the agency's immigration compliance and engagement 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 £20,000 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, the UK Border 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 website.

Anyone with information about immigration offenders can report crime on this website, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/january/36-ashford-takeaway

Six arrested after raid on Barking laundry

25 January 2013

Six illegal workers have been arrested following our raid on a laundry in Barking.

Acting on intelligence, our officers visited White Town Ltd on River Road at around 12:00 on Wednesday 23 January, where they carried out checks on staff to see if they had the right to work in the UK.

They arrested 5 Bangladeshi men, all aged between 21 and 33 for over-staying their visas. All 5 have been detained pending their removal from the UK.

A 6th Bangladeshi man, aged 39, was arrested for entering the UK illegally. He was granted immigration bail while the UK Border Agency works to secure a travel document so he can be removed.

White Town Ltd was issued with a notice warning the business could now face a fine of up to £10,000 for each illegal worker unless they can prove to us that the correct right-to-work checks were carried out on the men.

Steve Fisher, assistant director, UK Border Agency said:

'Employers who take on illegal workers are both fuelling illegal immigrations and damaging the majority of legitimate businesses who play by the rules.

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

'This is the latest in a series of raids we've carried out in East London and more are planned in the future. For those who are in the country illegally there is no hiding place.'

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

Anyone with information about immigration offenders can report crime on this website, or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Source:-
http://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/newsarticles/2013/january/35-barking-laundry