Trio arrested after raid on suspected fake immigration law firm

The individuals operated out of a converted garage, the Home Office said

Three people who are accused of supplying fake documents to help people get asylum in the UK have been arrested in Greater Manchester.

The suspects were thought to be part of a legal advice firm run by Chinese and British nationals, operating out of a garage and charging more than £3,000 per client, the Home Office said.

The firm was not registered with two regulatory bodies.

The trio were held for suspected facilitation offences after the raid.

The firm was not registered with either the Solicitors Regulation Authority or the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner, the Home Office said.

Andrew Radcliffe, assistant director at the Home Office criminal and financial investigations unit, said: "Facilitating illegal entry into the UK will not be tolerated and we are working tirelessly to dismantle networks of people helping illegal migrants stay in the UK by encouraging them to make false claims."

Michael Tomlinson MP, minister for dealing with illegal migration, said ministers would be "relentless in our pursuit of those we suspect of abusing and gaming our immigration system for profit".