UK Wedding News
23/09/2014
In March this year, same-sex marriage was made legal in the UK, but according to the report, shortly after the legislation was passed, did criminal gangs start to exploit the system. For example, gangs started to tout that sham gay marriages could be arranged, so that people could avoid immigration controls.
The investigation, Inside Out London, unveiled the extent of the issue, with one particular gang claiming to arrange sham gay marriages for £10,000.
A reporter for the media outlet posed as an illegal immigrant for the report, and claimed they were looking a sham marriage so they could remain in the UK. Another reporter posed as an uncle.
Two of the gangs leaders, named in the operation as Peter and Ricardo, then told the reporters they had "fixed" ceremonies "lots of times". They added that there were two fake Romanian brides the reporter could choose. It should be noted that both of the brides-to-be stated they were not lesbians, but were willing to pretend they were and marry someone for the money.
One of the girls, said to be called Alexandra, commented: "We have to declare we live together. That's not gonna happen but that's what we have to declare."
Other ways the gang make the relationship appear more genuine, is the offer of a "romantic" photo shoot of the couple.
And when questioned about the breaking the law, Ricardo admitted he had never had problems with immigration officers or the police, explaining: "You say 'I am gay'. No more questions for you. Easy for gay."
According to figures from the Home Office, the number of reported sham marriages has trebled in recent years; however, these statistics only account for straight fake weddings. Numbers for sham gay weddings have not been accounted for.
Mark Rimmer, Head of Registration and Nationality Services at Brent Council, is quoted by the BBC as saying: "Here in Brent, the Home Office stops marriages on a weekly basis. In many boroughs in London the thought is that up to 20 to 30% of marriages are actually for the avoidance of immigration control."
He added: "I think it is probably more difficult to spot the signs if you have a same sex couple whether they be male or female."
James Brokenshire, Minister for Immigration and Security, added that the undercover findings are "disturbing" and an investigation into sham gay weddings has now been launched.
The investigation, Inside Out London, aired on BBC One on Monday evening (22 September), but is available to view on BBC iPlayer for the next week.
(JP/MH)
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Sham Gay Marriages Uncovered In UK
An undercover investigation by the BBC has revealed how same-sex marriages are being set up to help people gain citizenship in the UK.In March this year, same-sex marriage was made legal in the UK, but according to the report, shortly after the legislation was passed, did criminal gangs start to exploit the system. For example, gangs started to tout that sham gay marriages could be arranged, so that people could avoid immigration controls.
The investigation, Inside Out London, unveiled the extent of the issue, with one particular gang claiming to arrange sham gay marriages for £10,000.
A reporter for the media outlet posed as an illegal immigrant for the report, and claimed they were looking a sham marriage so they could remain in the UK. Another reporter posed as an uncle.
Two of the gangs leaders, named in the operation as Peter and Ricardo, then told the reporters they had "fixed" ceremonies "lots of times". They added that there were two fake Romanian brides the reporter could choose. It should be noted that both of the brides-to-be stated they were not lesbians, but were willing to pretend they were and marry someone for the money.
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One of the girls, said to be called Alexandra, commented: "We have to declare we live together. That's not gonna happen but that's what we have to declare."
Other ways the gang make the relationship appear more genuine, is the offer of a "romantic" photo shoot of the couple.
And when questioned about the breaking the law, Ricardo admitted he had never had problems with immigration officers or the police, explaining: "You say 'I am gay'. No more questions for you. Easy for gay."
According to figures from the Home Office, the number of reported sham marriages has trebled in recent years; however, these statistics only account for straight fake weddings. Numbers for sham gay weddings have not been accounted for.
Mark Rimmer, Head of Registration and Nationality Services at Brent Council, is quoted by the BBC as saying: "Here in Brent, the Home Office stops marriages on a weekly basis. In many boroughs in London the thought is that up to 20 to 30% of marriages are actually for the avoidance of immigration control."
He added: "I think it is probably more difficult to spot the signs if you have a same sex couple whether they be male or female."
James Brokenshire, Minister for Immigration and Security, added that the undercover findings are "disturbing" and an investigation into sham gay weddings has now been launched.
The investigation, Inside Out London, aired on BBC One on Monday evening (22 September), but is available to view on BBC iPlayer for the next week.
(JP/MH)
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