A man pretended to be an immigration officer to
take thousands of pounds from victims who desperately wanted to stay in the UK
legally.
A BOGUS immigration
officer who pinched thousands of pounds from victims seeking advice of how to
stay in the UK legally, has been locked up.
Amit Banerjee of no
fixed address worked out of a private address in Beatrice Avenue, Wembley
offering advice to people who needed status to stay in this country legally,
Harrow Crown Court heard.
The 53 year-old
pretended to be a qualified immigration adviser, amassing £20,000 in just five
months in 2012.
The court heard, on
Tuesday, February 11, that Banerjee advised his customers to submit a
particular application form which in most cases would have been inappropriate
for the client’s requirements, and in some cases led to their ejection from the
UK.
Police arrested Banerjee
at London Heathrow Airport trying to board a plane to India.
He pleaded guilty to the
charge of illegally providing advice under Section 91 of the immigration and
Asylums act 1991.
He was sentenced to 10
months imprisonment.
Immigration Services
Commissioner (OISC) , Suzanne McCarthy said:" The OISC is here to ensure
that people seeking immigration advice are treated fairly by people they can
trust. Mr Banerjee chose to operate outside the law, and without regard for the
protection of his clients.
“I am delighted with the
outcome of this case, and I hope it sends a clear message to other people
considering providing immigration advice - either act within the law or you
will find yourself in court. Illegally providing immigration advice is a very
serious offence. We will continue to work alongside our partner organisations
to tackle this type of crime.”
PC Nick Lee of Brent
Police CID said: “This case shows how cooperation between Police and the
Immigration Service can lead to the apprehension of a bogus Immigration Adviser
who has harmed would-be immigrants with poor advice, as well as depriving them
of their money without any benefit.”
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