A 42-year-old woman has been arrested on suspicion of
fraudulently taking the Life in the UK test on behalf of 12
legitimate applicants, giving them an unfair advantage in their
applications to stay in the UK.
The arrest comes after Immigration Enforcement Criminal and
Financial Investigators in Croydon executed a warrant at an
address in Dartford on Friday 7 February 2025.
Officers acted on intelligence that the woman is alleged to have
completed the tests across multiple test centres in the UK,
disguising herself and doctoring ID documents to evade detection
from authorities.
Upon searching the property, officers discovered a second woman
who attempted to evade detection by hiding under a bed. The
woman, in her 20s, was arrested on suspicion of entering the UK
illegally.
The search also resulted in seizures of several suspected false
documents and a hoard of luxury goods, including designer
handbags, watches and shoes suspected to have been purchased
through proceeds of crime.
Arrests such as these are part of the Home Office's ongoing
crackdown on organised immigration crime and forms part of the
wider government effort to strengthen the UK's border
security.
Following the introduction of the recent Border Security, Asylum,
and Immigration (BSAI) Bill, under the government's Plan for
Change, law enforcement will have new counterterrorism-style
powers to disrupt organised immigration crime more quickly and
effectively.
These tougher measures along with the new Border Security Command
also ensures a more coordinated approach with agencies across the
world to tackle these criminal networks, preventing them from
exploiting vulnerable people for profit and bringing them to
justice.
The Life in the UK test is a requirement for anyone seeking to
obtain indefinite leave to remain or naturalisation as a British
citizen. It consists of 24 questions aimed at proving the
applicant has sufficient knowledge of British values, history,
and society.
Fraudsters completing the test for others could result in people
being wrongly granted the right to remain in the country without
proper due diligence, potentially putting the public at
risk.
These arrests are part of a wider investigation by Criminal and
Financial Investigators into this type of false
representation.
Just last week a woman was arrested on suspicion of fraudulently
completing the test for at least 14 people. Josephine Maurice,
61, of Enstone Road, Enfield, has been charged with 15 counts of
fraud by false representation and 2 counts of possession of false
documents in connection to this incident. She has been remanded
in custody.
Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame said: “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.
“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.
“As part as 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.”
Criminal and Financial Investigation lead for London,
Chris Foster said: "This operation demonstrates the
dedication of our teams in securing today's arrest and sends a
clear message that we will not tolerate immigration fraud in the
UK.
"We have been actively taking action against those involved in
this type of crime and will continue to do so. Anyone who
benefits from such fraud will face the consequences.
"This individual went to extreme lengths, using wigs and
disguises to impersonate others and cheat the immigration system,
showing a complete disregard for UK safety and immigration
laws.
"We are fully committed to tackling immigration fraud and
organised crime, ensuring our borders remain secure and
protecting the integrity of our immigration system."
Both women remain in custody. The investigation continues.
