Menu
02/11/2012
Immigration Gang Jailed
An immigration scam gang which fraudulently siphoned over £4 million in benefits has been jailed for a total of 19 years.
The crime ring was smashed following an investigation by the UK Border Agency's criminal and financial investigation team which saw 9 people arrested during a series of coordinated dawn raids across east London in September 2011. The probe also involved a number of organisations, including HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and found the scam had been operating for around 19 years.
Ringleader Ruth Nabuguzi, 49, of Church Road in Newham, used several false identifies to fraudulently claim benefit payments for herself, helping to build a complex consisting of luxury apartments, shops, restaurants and a hotel in her home city of Kampala, Uganda. She also created false identities for people she claimed were her children or dependents that enabled them to enter the country illegally from Uganda and claim benefits illegally.
The court heard that Nabuguzi - who also went under the names of Tessie Busulwa, Jane Namusisi and Pauline Zalwango - made multiple claims for asylum and benefits for herself and others as part of an elaborate scam. She was assisted by Dennis Kyeyune, Jordan Sebutemba, Lamulah Sekiziyuvu and Albert Kaidi.
Officers who raided Kyeyune's home address in Mitcham Road, East Ham, discovered numerous 'identity packs' in a holdall and plastic bag which had been placed on top of a garden shed.
This contained passports in five different identities of Nabuguzi bearing her photograph, Home Office residency permits and various benefits application forms. Finger print analysis showed Kyeyune had handled the plastic bag. The benefits claimed were mainly housing, disability and unemployment benefits, totalling around £1.6 million.
Ruth Nabuguzi also used her alternative identities to fraudulently claim a further £2.3 million worth of prescription drugs from the NHS. She did not have to pay for prescriptions as she was claiming disability living allowance illegally.
Nabuguzi pleaded guilty to various immigration and fraud offences at a previous hearing in March 2012 and was sentenced to six years in prison at Croydon crown court.
Co-conspirators Eddie Semanda and Lina Katongola, who were arrested at a later date, also pleaded guilty to various charges. Katongola was sentenced to 1 year in prison while Semanda got a four month suspended sentence.
Yvette Syapjeu (also known as Mathy Matumba) was also arrested as part of the investigation and sentenced to 4 years in prison after pleading guilty to various charges.
Another woman, Betty Tatiana Tibakawa, who also admitted charges, will be sentenced at a future date.
Kyeyune and Kaidi were sentenced to two and a half years, while Sekiziyuvu was jailed for 3 years. Sebutemba was given a 1 year suspended sentence. A jury had found them guilty of various immigration and fraud offences on 25 October following a 6 week trial at Croydon crown court.
Alan Sentongo, 23, who lived at Kyeyune's address, was cleared by the jury of one charge of possession of articles for use in fraud, contrary to section 6(1) of the Fraud Act 2006 and one charge of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to Common Law.
Passing the sentences today, the Judge commended the UK Border Agency's criminal and financial investigation team that led this successful investigation.
Tony Erne, from the UK Border Agency, said: "This was a major criminal operation dating back several years. Ruth Nabuguzi and her co-conspirators thought they could get away with it but our officers, working closely with other agencies, smashed their web of deceit.
"These sentences show that abuse of our immigration system for profit will not be tolerated. The message is clear to those thinking of doing the same: we will rigorously investigate people who seek to abuse the hospitality of the UK and commit crime."
(GK)
The crime ring was smashed following an investigation by the UK Border Agency's criminal and financial investigation team which saw 9 people arrested during a series of coordinated dawn raids across east London in September 2011. The probe also involved a number of organisations, including HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and found the scam had been operating for around 19 years.
Ringleader Ruth Nabuguzi, 49, of Church Road in Newham, used several false identifies to fraudulently claim benefit payments for herself, helping to build a complex consisting of luxury apartments, shops, restaurants and a hotel in her home city of Kampala, Uganda. She also created false identities for people she claimed were her children or dependents that enabled them to enter the country illegally from Uganda and claim benefits illegally.
The court heard that Nabuguzi - who also went under the names of Tessie Busulwa, Jane Namusisi and Pauline Zalwango - made multiple claims for asylum and benefits for herself and others as part of an elaborate scam. She was assisted by Dennis Kyeyune, Jordan Sebutemba, Lamulah Sekiziyuvu and Albert Kaidi.
Officers who raided Kyeyune's home address in Mitcham Road, East Ham, discovered numerous 'identity packs' in a holdall and plastic bag which had been placed on top of a garden shed.
This contained passports in five different identities of Nabuguzi bearing her photograph, Home Office residency permits and various benefits application forms. Finger print analysis showed Kyeyune had handled the plastic bag. The benefits claimed were mainly housing, disability and unemployment benefits, totalling around £1.6 million.
Ruth Nabuguzi also used her alternative identities to fraudulently claim a further £2.3 million worth of prescription drugs from the NHS. She did not have to pay for prescriptions as she was claiming disability living allowance illegally.
Nabuguzi pleaded guilty to various immigration and fraud offences at a previous hearing in March 2012 and was sentenced to six years in prison at Croydon crown court.
Co-conspirators Eddie Semanda and Lina Katongola, who were arrested at a later date, also pleaded guilty to various charges. Katongola was sentenced to 1 year in prison while Semanda got a four month suspended sentence.
Yvette Syapjeu (also known as Mathy Matumba) was also arrested as part of the investigation and sentenced to 4 years in prison after pleading guilty to various charges.
Another woman, Betty Tatiana Tibakawa, who also admitted charges, will be sentenced at a future date.
Kyeyune and Kaidi were sentenced to two and a half years, while Sekiziyuvu was jailed for 3 years. Sebutemba was given a 1 year suspended sentence. A jury had found them guilty of various immigration and fraud offences on 25 October following a 6 week trial at Croydon crown court.
Alan Sentongo, 23, who lived at Kyeyune's address, was cleared by the jury of one charge of possession of articles for use in fraud, contrary to section 6(1) of the Fraud Act 2006 and one charge of conspiracy to defraud, contrary to Common Law.
Passing the sentences today, the Judge commended the UK Border Agency's criminal and financial investigation team that led this successful investigation.
Tony Erne, from the UK Border Agency, said: "This was a major criminal operation dating back several years. Ruth Nabuguzi and her co-conspirators thought they could get away with it but our officers, working closely with other agencies, smashed their web of deceit.
"These sentences show that abuse of our immigration system for profit will not be tolerated. The message is clear to those thinking of doing the same: we will rigorously investigate people who seek to abuse the hospitality of the UK and commit crime."
(GK)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
10 May 2012
77 Years For Rochdale Child Sex Gang
The nine men found guilty of operating a child sexual exploitation ring have been jailed for a total of 77 years. The trial, which ended on Tuesday, heard how the men groomed young vulnerable girls in Rochdale.
77 Years For Rochdale Child Sex Gang
The nine men found guilty of operating a child sexual exploitation ring have been jailed for a total of 77 years. The trial, which ended on Tuesday, heard how the men groomed young vulnerable girls in Rochdale.
08 June 2006
Sentence increased for baby rapist
A man who raped a 12-week-old baby girl has had his minimum jail term increased from six years to eight years by the Court of Appeal.
Sentence increased for baby rapist
A man who raped a 12-week-old baby girl has had his minimum jail term increased from six years to eight years by the Court of Appeal.
27 February 2015
Gary Glitter Sentenced To 16 Years
Paul Gadd, better known by his stage name, Gary Glitter, has been sentenced to 16 years in jail for the sexual abuse of three girls between 1975 and 1980. Gadd was convicted of attempted rape, four counts of indecent assault and one of having sex with a girl under 13.
Gary Glitter Sentenced To 16 Years
Paul Gadd, better known by his stage name, Gary Glitter, has been sentenced to 16 years in jail for the sexual abuse of three girls between 1975 and 1980. Gadd was convicted of attempted rape, four counts of indecent assault and one of having sex with a girl under 13.
10 October 2013
Man Sentenced To 20 Years Over Denis Cowan Murder
A man has been jailed for 20 years for the murder of a man in October 2000. Dialo Hall, 33, of no fixed abode was jailed for life with a minimum term of 20 years for the murder of 27-year-old Denis Cowan. He was also sentenced to 12 years for possession of a firearm with intent and possession of a firearm - this sentence is to run concurrently.
Man Sentenced To 20 Years Over Denis Cowan Murder
A man has been jailed for 20 years for the murder of a man in October 2000. Dialo Hall, 33, of no fixed abode was jailed for life with a minimum term of 20 years for the murder of 27-year-old Denis Cowan. He was also sentenced to 12 years for possession of a firearm with intent and possession of a firearm - this sentence is to run concurrently.
08 May 2013
Armed Robbery Gang Sentenced To 28 Years
An armed gang of men that went on a crime spree across the Black Country last year have been sentenced to a total of almost 28 years in jail. Targeting only convenience stores, the gang stole thousands of pounds of cigarettes and cash from various shops until they were caught last September.
Armed Robbery Gang Sentenced To 28 Years
An armed gang of men that went on a crime spree across the Black Country last year have been sentenced to a total of almost 28 years in jail. Targeting only convenience stores, the gang stole thousands of pounds of cigarettes and cash from various shops until they were caught last September.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
