Members of an organised crime group who were “prolific in their desire to abuse the UK's borders” have been jailed for forging thousands of marriage certificates.
Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo, Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi, Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade, and Adekunle Kabir made fraudulent EU Settlement Scheme applications for Nigerian nationals. An investigation led by Home Office Criminal and Financial Investigators, in partnership with Home Office International Operations based in Lagos, uncovered more than 2,000 false marriage documents forged by the gang, Woolwich Crown Court heard.
At trial, Onifade and Shodipo were both found guilty of conspiracy to facilitate and conspiracy to provide articles used in fraud. Gbadamosi was convicted of obtaining leave to remain by deception and fraud by false representation, and Kabir was found guilty of possession of an identity document with improper intention but cleared of obtaining leave to remain by deception, the Manchester Evening News reported.
Onifade, 41, was jailed for six years for conspiracy to facilitate illegal entry in the UK and three years for conspiracy to provide articles used fraud to run concurrently. Shodipo, 38, was handed a five year sentence for conspiracy to facilitate illegal entry in the UK and three years for conspiracy to provide articles used fraud to run concurrently.
Gbadamosi, 31, was jailed for 18 months for leave to remain by deception and 18 months for fraud by false representation to run concurrently, with Kabir, 54, jailed for nine months for possession of an identity document with improper intention.
After sentencing, Home Office Investigation Supervisor, Chief Immigration Officer Paul Moran said: “This group was absolutely prolific in their desire to abuse our borders and have rightly been brought to justice. As with many gangs we encounter, their sole priority was financial gain.
“I am delighted my team was able to intercept their operation, and I hope these convictions will serve as a warning to unscrupulous gangs who exploit people's desperation to remain in the UK. We will continue to work tirelessly to secure our borders and clamp down on the gangs who prey on vulnerable people to make money.”