A fugitive BRITISH Airways supervisor has been accused in India of masterminding a £3million immigration fraud for around five years – from his Heathrow check-in desk.
The suspect, 24, who worked at Terminal 5, said he charged customers £25,000 per time to exploit a loophole to fly them across the BA network without key visa documents.
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A fugitive BA supervisor has been accused in India of masterminding a £3million immigration scam over five yearsCredit: Getty
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The suspect, who worked at Terminal 5, allegedly carried out the scam from his check-in counter at Heathrow Airport (photo)Credit: Getty
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He charged customers £25,000 a time to abuse a loophole (Photo)Credit: Alamy
Police are working with counterparts in India to try to trace a man who went missing with his ground handling partner after he was arrested and released on bail.
As part of his fiddle, he got clients, mostly from India, to fly to the UK on temporary visitor visas, where he arranged for them to fly elsewhere.
Other clients were UK-based asylum seekers who feared being returned to their country of origin.
Canadian authorities raised the alarm after years of BA flights to Toronto or Vancouver where arrivals would immediately declare asylum.
The investigation found that all were reported by the same man who falsely confirmed that the travelers had an eTA – Electronic Travel Authorization – to enter the chosen country.
A traveler can only apply for an eTA in their country of origin and would be refused without the assistance of a BA officer.
He was stolen on January 6, but was released on bail, after which he flew to India, from Heathrow, where he is said to have bought several houses.
A source told The Sun last night: “He took advantage of a loophole knowing that immigration checks were no longer carried out by officers but were left to airline staff.
“By entering false information and claiming that eTA documents were secured, he took people to countries they were not authorized to enter in the first place.
“Upon arrival, the fake travelers would tear up their documents and claim asylum.
A major security investigation has been launched after a man flew from London to New York without a passport or plane ticket – PA Getty
“Many flew to Britain to pay him to take them to Canada.
“Others were stuck in the UK immigration system for up to 10 years and feared being sent back to their country of origin.
“It was a genius plan that brought him millions over the years.
“Nobody knows the full extent of what happened yet.”
BA sources said the airline had terminated the contracts of the supervisor and his partner.
A spokesman said: “We are assisting the authorities with their investigation.”
The Home Office says it would be “inappropriate” to comment while the investigation is ongoing.
The meteorological and border forces have been contacted for comment.
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BA sources said the airline had terminated contracts with the supervisor and his partnerCredit: PA
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