4 Nigerians Sentenced for Forging Over 2,000 Marriage Certificates in UK Immigration Scam
Four Nigerian individuals have been handed a total of 13 years in prison for their role in a large-scale scheme that involved creating over 2,000 fake marriage certificates to help Nigerian citizens live in the UK unlawfully.
The convicted individuals: Abraham Alade Olarotimi Onifade, 41, Abayomi Aderinsoye Shodipo, 38, Nosimot Mojisola Gbadamosi, 31, and Adekunle Kabir, 54, were found guilty of various charges related to their fraudulent activities, which spanned from March 2019 to May 2023.
According to the Evening Standard, the gang was involved in making fraudulent applications for the EU Settlement Scheme using false Nigerian Customary Marriage Certificates and other deceptive documents. This scheme was uncovered through a joint investigation by the Home Office and its international operations based in Lagos, Nigeria.
Onifade and Shodipo were both convicted of conspiracy to facilitate illegal entry into the UK and conspiracy to provide articles used in fraud. Onifade, from Gravesend, received a six-year sentence, while Shodipo, from Manchester, was sentenced to five years.
Gbadamosi, from Bolton, was found guilty of obtaining leave to remain by deception and fraud by false representation, leading to an 18-month prison term. Kabir, from London, was convicted of possessing an identity document with improper intention but was cleared of obtaining leave to remain by deception, receiving a nine-month sentence.
Paul Moran, Chief Immigration Officer at the Home Office, praised the convictions as a major victory in the fight against immigration fraud. He emphasized that the Nigerians primary motive was financial gain, at the expense of the integrity of the UK’s immigration system.
Moran stated, “This group was absolutely prolific in their desire to abuse our borders and have rightly been brought to justice.”
Moran also warned that the Home Office remains vigilant and committed to targeting and dismantling gangs that exploit vulnerable individuals for financial profit. “We will continue to work tirelessly to secure our borders and clamp down on the gangs who prey on vulnerable people to make money,” he added.
