A second woman has been apprehended in connection with a suspected plot to cheat the British citizenship test by using wigs to disguise herself. This follows a recent arrest of another woman utilizing the same tactic. Authorities are determined to crack down on individuals attempting to exploit the system and risk public safety.
A second woman has been arrested on suspicion of using wigs to disguise herself and sit the British citizenship test for others. LBC joined immigration enforcement officers as they executed an arrest warrant at her home in Dartford, Kent, early this morning. The 42-year-old suspect initially peered out of her bedroom window before officers ordered her downstairs and detained her.
Authorities allege she impersonated test-takers on at least 12 occasions between 2022 and 2023, utilizing various wigs to complete the Life in the UK test for applicants located across the country. This arrest follows closely on the heels of another woman, 61-year-old Josephine Maurice from Enfield, who was apprehended last week on similar charges. Maurice has been charged with 15 counts of fraud by false representation and two counts of possession of false documents. Speaking to LBC during the Dartford arrest, Chris Foster, Immigration Enforcement's Criminal and Financial Investigation lead, emphasized the severity of the offense. 'There are 30 test centres around the UK and hundreds of thousands of people throughout the year who sit the Life in the UK test and many are doing it legitimately,' Foster stated. 'But there are people who will try to cheat the system and this person, we suspect that's what she’s done - on at least 12 occasions and for the benefit of others.' He added, 'It completely undermines our immigration rules and immigration system and that’s why we’re here today, to really bear down on people like this.' During the search of the woman's residence, officers seized numerous wigs, approximately 50 pairs of designer shoes, a collection of watches and bags, and what are believed to be fake documents. Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle, commented on the arrest, stating: 'This arrest - the second made in less than two weeks - goes to show that those who flout UK immigration laws for their own gain will be caught and will face consequences.' She further highlighted the government's commitment to combating immigration fraud, noting that 'it comes on the heels of the introduction of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill - legislation that takes learning from the effects of counterterrorism laws and applies it to organised immigration crime.' Dame Angela emphasized, 'As part of the Government’s Plan for Change, this Bill will increase activity across law enforcement agencies and Border Force to turbocharge efforts to smash the gangs, protect our borders and save lives.' The Life in the UK test, which assesses knowledge of British culture, values, and laws, is a mandatory requirement for individuals seeking indefinite leave to remain in the country. The Home Office warns that fraudsters taking the test on behalf of others could lead to individuals being wrongly granted the right to reside in the UK without proper scrutiny, potentially posing a risk to public safety. Chris Foster further explained the wider implications of this type of fraud, stating: 'At the end of the test, the person who’s passed is a step closer to British citizenship and a British passport and it’s the ripple effect for me, because when someone else sits it for you, it opens up opportunities for people to abuse that passport. 'They could for instance sponsor other people to come to the UK, so we’ve got a real responsibility to make sure everybody who becomes a British citizen is properly vetted alongside the rules.'
BRITISH CITIZENSHIP TEST IMPOSTOR WIGS FRAUD IMMIGRATION LAWS UK BORDER SECURITY
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