A woman has been arrested on suspicion of using multiple disguises to fraudulently pose as 12 other people to help them pass a UK immigration test.
The 42-year-old, who has not been named, has been accused of giving the applicants an “unfair advantage” in the Life in the UK test, the Home Office said.
It is alleged she completed the tests at a number of centres across the UK, disguising herself and doctoring ID documents to evade detection from authorities.
The 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.
The Home Office said 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”.
The woman was arrested at an address in Dartford, Kent, on Friday.
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As officers executed a search warrant, a second woman was found hiding under a bed.
The woman, in her 20s, was arrested on suspicion of entering the UK illegally.
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Several suspected false documents were also seized alongside a hoard of luxury goods, including designer handbags, watches and shoes suspected to have been purchased through proceeds of crime.
Both women remain in custody as the investigation continues.
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Chris Foster, criminal and financial investigation lead for London, accused the woman of using “wigs and disguises” to “impersonate others and cheat the immigration system, showing a complete disregard for UK safety and immigration laws”.
He added: “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.”
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Last week, a woman was arrested on suspicion of fraudulently completing the test for at least 14 people.
Josephine Maurice, 61, of Enfield in north London, has been charged with 15 counts of fraud by false representation and two counts of possession of false documents in connection to the incident.
She is currently remanded in custody.
