Bogus Burnley travel agent helped illegal migrants flee to Spain

Zaman Shah, 41, formerly of Cameron Street, Burnley arrived in the UK from Afghanistan without identity documents in 1999 before eventually being granted British citizenship in 2012.

But for 18 months, Shah helped Pakistani migrants flee the UK to Spain - where the immigration system is more open, Preston Crown Court heard.

Using stolen European passports, Shah booked at least 10 flight on budget airlines, for the travellers, who did not have the necessary visas to travel legitimately.

Shah booked the flights to Alicante using the bank account of Muhammed Tariq Ali, an illegal immigrant who had overstayed his visa.

Judge Heather Lloyd, sentencing, said since his arrival in the UK, Shah had been caught using a false driving licence and had absconded from the country twice, before returning using a counterfeit Portugese passport.

He was also caught working illegally in Slough i n 2006.

The judge said: “Despite all this, in 2011 you were granted leave to remain and you were naturalised in 2012.

“The fraud offences to which you have pleaded guilty after you had been granted indefinite leave to remain in the UK and continued after you had been naturalised.

“Whilst you were making these applications and seeking hospitality and refuge from the UK you were committing a continuing offence of fraud.

“It must have been known by your customers and anyone else who may have been involved that it is far easier for immigrants to integrate into Spanish society and to gain the same entitlements as EU citizens, which include freedom of movement within the EU and potentially claim benefits in the UK.

“This is in contrast to the UK, where visas and applications to live and remain are becoming more stringent.

“It is clear this fraud undermines the demands and the ability of the UK Borders Agency and indeed any other European authority to control who leaves, enters or remains in the country.

“It is important for any state to know who is residing in the country - and all the more so if they are not entitled to be in the UK as you believed.

“In recent times it has been essential that any country knows the correct identity of those entering, staying or leaving their borders.”

The judge said the purpose of the migrants’ journey was not known but they could be economic migrants or travelling for more sinister purposes.

She added: “This is a serious, prolonged offence and there has to be not only punishment but a degree of deterrence.”

She jailed Shah, of Ash Road, Birmingham, for 24 months.

Sitting beside Shah in the dock, Muhammed Tariq Ali, 41, Quaker Rise, Nelson, was sentenced for fraudulently claiming benefits of £42,000 over a nine year period by using false identity documents.

The court heard Ali lived a double life under the name of Mohammed Iyaz, and applied for a national insurance number using the false details.

Even Shah’s wife, who has health problems, was unaware of his true identity and a number of testimonials written to the court described him as “An honest man with an impeccable reputation.

Judge Lloyd said: “Far from it. You are not. Even your identity has been a lie.”

Ali’s bank account was used by Shah to book the bogus European flights and although the court heard Ali was unaware of the transactions going through his account, the men must have known each other well for Shah to have access to Ali’s account.

At some stages, Ali was claiming benefits simultaneously under both his identities.

The judge said: “This is an example of a cynically employed false identity to obtain a life and benefits to which you were not entitled.”

Ali arrived in the UK from Pakistan in 2003, on a six month visa to support his mother through a medical procedure - which she never paid for.

However he outstayed his visa and has been in the country ever since.

Ali pleaded guilty to eight counts of fraud and was jailed for 32 months.

The judge said both men’s immigration status would be reviewed by the Home Office.