International sham marriage gang jailed
A gang of 18 behind a sham marriage scam stretching from Yorkshire to Pakistan have been jailed for a total of nearly 28 years.
Over the course of two years Czech, Slovak and British brides and grooms were paid to fly to Pakistan and take part in fake wedding ceremonies, despite many of the couples not speaking the same language.
International marriages
The marriages were aimed at exploiting the right of spouses of EU nationals to work and claim benefits in the UK. Organisers held them abroad to try and reduce the risks of being caught.
But UK Border Agency officers in Islamabad identified a suspicious number of applications from Pakistani nationals wanting to join partners in the UK and launched an investigation.
Their action meant no Pakistani national involved in the conspiracy was able to live in the UK and led to today바카라 사이트檚 convictions. A man and woman are also being sought for their part in the scam.
Immigration Minister Mark Harper said: 바카라 사이트楾he 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.바카라 사이트�
Mark Bates, from the UK Border Agency crime directorate, said: 바카라 사이트楾his international crime group systematically abused the immigration system and showed a total disregard for the sanctity of marriage. As a result of our investigation the perpetrators of these cynical crimes are now behind bars.바카라 사이트�
They were sentenced to a total of 27 years and nine months.
Anyone who has information about immigration abuse should contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111聽or visit .聽聽
The gang and their sentences聽including聽charges and plea details:
Guilty of conspiracy by jury:
Nikola Horvathova, 26,聽Czech - 12 months jail
Eva Holubova, 19,聽Czech - 10聽months in young offender institution聽
Kristina Popikova, 34, Slovak - 12 months
Peter Pohlodko, 19,聽Slovak - 21 months in young offender institution聽
Mohammed Ramzan, 59,聽British,聽from Rotherham聽- 3 years
Aftab Hussain, 36,聽Pakistani,聽from Sheffield聽- 2 years
Guilty of conspiracy by plea:
Rahina Zaman, 32,聽British - 2 and half years
Talib Hussain, 42,聽Pakistani,聽from Rotherham聽- 6 years
Veronika Pohlodkova, 37,聽Slovak - 4 years
Zuzana Holubova, 26,聽Czech - 7 months
Guilty of substantive offence by plea:
Michaela Lengyelova,31, Czech - 11 months
Svetlana Krausova, 31, Czech - 8 months
Farah Khan, 43,聽British - 8 months
Louise Samantha Kelly, 27,聽British, from Bradford - 8 months
Mohammed Yassar, 22, British, from Bradford - 8 months
Sabiha Bano Khan, 46,聽British, from Bradford- 8 months
Khalda Ahmed, 45,聽British - 7 months suspended for 1 year plus 150 hours unpaid work
Nadia Qureshi, 28,聽British,聽from Sheffield聽- 6 months
