Sham marriage fixers jailed
The UK Border Agency has confirmed that three marriage visa fixers were jailed at Leicester Crown Court for taking part in a sham marriage conspiracy to secure the right to remain in the UK for an illegal immigrant.
Suchinsth Kayasth, 37, an Indian national, was jailed for 12 months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud.
Meena Tailor, 34, a British national, Cranstone Crescent, Glenfield, Leicester was jailed for 12 months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to defraud.
Errol Kincarr, 32, a British national, Rugby Road, Burbage, Hinckley was jailed for 9 months after pleading guilty to perverting the course of justice.
The intended immigration scam started in February 2006 when Kayasth and Tailor married in India in a ceremony witnessed by Kincarr.
After the Indian wedding, Kayasth applied to enter the UK as Tailor’s spouse. This application was refused on the basis that the marriage was not genuine. However, the decision was overturned in November 2007 and Kayasth was granted a spouse visa valid for 2 years.
In April 2008 Tailor gave birth to Kincarr’s child.
In October 2009 Kayasth applied for indefinite leave to remain in the UK on the basis of his continued relationship with Tailor. This application was refused by and officers from the Leicestershire immigration crime team launched an investigation.
On 10 March 2011 Kayasth and Tailor were arrested and charged with conspiracy to defraud.
On 18 July 2011 officers searched the Cranstone Crescent address where they encountered Kincarr. He said that he and Ms Tailor were a couple at the time of her wedding to Kayasth.
However, Kincarr later changed his story and was charged with perverting the course of justice.
Tailor told officers that the relationship was genuine and that, although Kincarr was the father of her child, this was due to a moment of weakness and not part of a long-term relationship.
When confronted with Kincarr’s statement, she said that the claims about their intimate relationship were wrong and that she was racked with guilt after their brief tryst resulted in a child.
All 3 defendants pleaded guilty on 30 September.
Pete Copple, Leicestershire criminal & financial investigation team, UK Border Agency said:
‘Let these sentences be a warning to those who seek to cheat immigration laws. We will not hesitate to take the strongest possible action against those involved in arranging sham marriages.
‘We will not tolerate immigration abuse and are cracking down on foreign criminals, fraudsters and sham marriages all over the East Midlands.’
Kayasth had hoped that his marriage to a British citizen would aid his bid to gain long-term residency in the UK with the associated rights to work and claim benefits.
But a marriage certificate alone does not give foreign nationals the right to live and work in the UK. Their relationship has to be genuine. If it is not, they face prosecution or deportation.
Anyone who has information about suspicious marriages or other immigration crime can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Source: UK Border Agency.
See also:
Bogus Hungarian bride jailed for fake wedding after taking £400 to marry complete stranger
Court overturns UK Government’s non-EU under 21 spouses ban
JCWI and ILPA update on Zambrano case
Immigration Minister says ‘reforming family migration will promote better integration’
UK Border Agency seize cash from sham marriage fixer
Eastern European human trafficking for sex trade – two men in court
Legal Adviser jailed for masterminding immigration scam
Man with 3 wives jailed for immigration offences
Immigration Rules for Bulgarian and Romanian nationals
If you need any immigration advice or help with Sponsorship or Work Permits, Visa, ILR/Settlement, Citizenship, dependant visa or an appeal against a refusal please email: info@immigrationmatters.co.uk or visit www.immigrationmatters.co.uk
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