Arrests made for sham marriages

Three people have been arrested after early morning raids at two Rochdale houses.

A 25-year-old Hungarian woman and a man from Pakistan, aged 26, were arrested at an address in Derby Street, Rochdale.

A 24-year-old man from Pakistan was arrested at an address in Tweedale Street, Rochdale..

Immigration enforcement officers from the Home Office swooped on the properties this morning.

Two addresses in Bury were also raided this morning, where a further six people were arrested.

Seven of the people were suspected of arranging and participating in sham marriages between Hungarian and Pakistani nationals and were arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration.

Two men who had not left the UK when their visas expired were also found and arrested, making a total of 11 arrests.

Nick Wood, from the Home Office criminal and financial investigation (immigration) team, said: “We have teams of highly skilled and dedicated officers who are determined to clamp down on immigration crime.

“Where there are suspicions that a relationship may not be genuine we will investigate, and if necessary, intervene to stop it happening.

“Those who attempt to break immigration laws face prosecution and conviction.”