WIREDGOV

National Crime Agency officers have taken part in a series of raids targeting individuals suspected of being involved in sham weddings.

The operation, which was led by Home Office Immigration Enforcement and also involved West Midlands Police, saw eight people arrested at addresses in Wolverhampton.

The eight are suspected of arranging sham marriages between Indian and, mainly Czech and Slovak, EEA nationals, and were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to breach the UK’s immigration laws.

Richard Warner, NCA Branch Commander, said:

"Working with our law enforcment colleagues from Home Office Immigration Enforcement and the police we are determined to tackle the criminal networks involved in organised immigration crime. Together we will use every technique available to relentlessly and continuously disrupt organised crime groups and make their lives as difficult as possible."

Andy Radcliffe, from the Home Office’s Criminal and Financial Investigations Team, said:

“Today’s arrests are part of an ongoing investigation into a suspected sham marriage ring operating mainly in the West Midlands. Where there are suspicions that a relationship may not be genuine we will investigate and, if necessary, intervene to stop it happening. Those who seek to cheat immigration law face prosecution and conviction.”

A sham marriage typically occurs when a non-European national marries someone from the European Economic Area as a means of attempting to gain long-term residency and the right to work and claim benefits in this country.

Anyone who has information on suspected immigration offenders can visithttp://www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/aboutus/contact/report-crime/