Indian national in Southall jailed for false passport and sham marriage

Kumar from Southall’s Lady Margaret Road was due to marry a 22-year-old Hungarian woman at Brent register office. Immigration officers found that his passport contained a counterfeit visa stamp which made it look like he had the right to live and work in the UK.

The UKBA officers questioned the Hungarian bride and later charged Kumar with possessing a false identity document.

The sham marriage would have given Kumar long-term residency and the right to work and claim benefits in the UK.

According to the officers, Kumar may have used the fake passport to gain employment as a cleaner too.

At a hearing at Isleworth crown court on Thursday, June 13, Kumar pleaded guilty and a judge sentenced him to 5 months in prison.

Sarah Burton, assistant director, West London Immigration Enforcement team, Home Office said:

"We are working closely with registrars across London to prevent abuse of the marriage system and where we have reason to believe a wedding may not be genuine we will, if necessary, intervene,” said Sarah Burton, assistant director, West London Immigration Enforcement team at the Home Office.

“Those who use false identity documents face prosecution and jail,” she added.

The Home Office will work to remove Kumar from the UK once he has served his five-month sentence.