A 24-year-old British Airways supervisor from Heathrow's Terminal 5 has allegedly masterminded a £3 million immigration scam over a span of five years.
The accused, now on the run in India, stands accused of exploiting a loophole, charging customers £25,000 to facilitate illicit flights with British Airways, circumventing vital visa requirements.
The Alleged Scam Operation:
The accused, whose identity remains undisclosed, is believed to have orchestrated the elaborate scheme, enticing customers, predominantly from India, to enter the UK on temporary visitor visas.
Clients included asylum seekers residing in the UK who feared returning to their home countries.
The scam allegedly involved arranging flights for these individuals to various destinations using falsified documents.
Collaboration with BA Ground Services Partner:
After reportedly being arrested and subsequently released on bail, the suspect is said to have absconded from the UK in collaboration with a British Airways ground services partner.
Efforts are now underway, with local authorities and police cooperating across borders to locate and apprehend the fugitive.
Exploiting Weaknesses in Immigration Checks:
Investigations revealed a pattern of BA flights, particularly to Toronto or Vancouver, where passengers would declare asylum upon immediate arrival.
The accused supervisor, responsible for checking in these passengers, would allegedly falsely verify the legitimacy of their electronic travel authorization (eTA) documents—a crucial requirement for entry into various countries.
The exploitation of a significant loophole, where immigration checks were delegated to airline staff rather than government officials, allowed the supervisor to manipulate data and secure entry for passengers without legitimate travel documents.
The eTA, which can only be obtained by a passenger in their country of origin, was allegedly misrepresented by the BA supervisor, aiding applicants whose requests would have otherwise been rejected.
Ingenious Plan Leading to Millions:
Sources familiar with the investigation described the scam as "ingenious," highlighting the financial success of the illicit operation over the years.
The accused reportedly made millions by implementing a well-thought-out plan that took advantage of vulnerabilities in the immigration system.
Escape to India:
Despite being apprehended on January 6, the suspect managed to flee to India, where he is believed to have multiple residences.
British Airways has confirmed that the accused is no longer employed by the airline, while they continue to cooperate with authorities during the ongoing investigation.
Official Responses:
British Airways, in a statement, affirmed their collaboration with authorities and the ongoing investigation.
The Home Office refrained from commenting on the case, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation.
