subject: Sham Marriages [print this page] Sham Marriages Sham Marriages
The immigration crime team in the UK are tracking down and closing in on those who abuse immigration. Sam Bullimore, assistant director of the UK Border Agency said, "Our immigration crime teams are creating a hostile environment for those who break the immigration laws.
Marriages which are not seen to be "genuine" are being challenged and followed by prosecution where appropriate.
4 people have been recently found guilty of "sham marriage" and were given up to 3 years in prison for breaking immigration laws in the UK.
Investigation showed that a 29 year old Nigerian, Adeolu Eletu, triggered a red flag when the suspicious travel patterns of passengers were noticed by the immigration officers. Due to these flights in and out of Luton and Stansted airport, the officers were able to identify the people involved in the criminal offence.
Daniloush Solano, a 21 year old dutch woman was arrested on the 10th of February by the immigration crime team, at Luton Airport. Solano had attempted to board a flight to Amsterdam and it was later revealed that Solano had married Eletu for sums of 1,500 euros for her partake in "sham" marriage. On the 27th of February 2010, Eletu was later arrested at his home alongside his Nigerian girlfriend, Omoboye.
The immigration officers further discovered that Solano had caught her taxi to Luton Airport from Goldbeater's Grove which led to the arrest of a 36 year old Nigerian, Sylvernus Ogungbade.
Eletu and Ogungbade both pleaded guilty at the Luton Crown Court for conspiring to break the UK's immigration laws. Eletu was given two years and eight months in prison and Omoboye was sentenced for eighteen months. Ogugbade was given one year and eaight months in prison and Solano was sentenced to twelve months.
