LONDON- A manager from British Airways (BA) at London Heathrow Airport (LHR) is reportedly on the run to India after being accused of orchestrating a £3 million per year immigration scam.
The 24-year-old suspect allegedly exploited BA’s check-in systems to fraudulently authorize passengers to travel to destinations lacking the proper entry rights.
British Airways Manager Immigration Fraud
The unnamed suspect purportedly charged passengers up to £25,000 per person to facilitate their travel without the required visas or immigration documents, particularly to countries like Canada, where they would subsequently seek asylum immediately upon arrival.
This fraudulent scheme took advantage of the current system, wherein airlines bear the sole responsibility of verifying passengers’ possession of the correct visa or immigration documents before allowing them to board.
There is no separate scrutiny by immigration officials until passengers reach their destination.
Typically, airlines prioritize ensuring passengers possess the appropriate documentation to avoid substantial fines and expenses related to repatriating ineligible travellers. However, the individual implicated in this immigration scheme demonstrated a lack of concern for these consequences.
As reported by The Sun, the suspect orchestrated a scheme where passengers were initially flown to the United Kingdom on a temporary visitor visa. Subsequently, the suspect arranged onward travel to a third country where these individuals lacked permission to enter.
Exploiting British Airways’ check-in system, the suspect falsely marked passengers as having electronic travel authorization for entry into their chosen destination, even though they did not possess a valid visa for that country.
Canadian Authority Discover Scam
The fraudulent activity came to the forefront when Canadian authorities identified a pattern: passengers arriving on British Airways flights to Toronto and Vancouver consistently sought asylum upon reaching the immigration counter at the airport.
Authorities suspect that this illicit scheme may have been ongoing for as long as five years, resulting in the suspect accumulating millions of pounds in criminal proceeds.
After an investigation, the suspect was apprehended on January 6 but was subsequently released on bail pending further inquiries. However, there are allegations that the individual has fled the United Kingdom and might be currently in India.
Law enforcement is actively pursuing the suspect and collaborating with Indian authorities as part of an international manhunt. British Airways has severed ties with the implicated individual by terminating their contract.
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