Immigration Scam Bosses Fined Thousands at Old Bailey
Three directors behind a massive immigration advice racket were slapped with hefty fines at the Old Bailey yesterday (Tuesday 5 January 2021).
Dan Romulus Dandes and Babbar Ali Jamil of DDR Legal Services LLP, along with Ms Zia Bi of Burlow & Spencer Ltd, were punished for handing out unqualified immigration advice that raked in over £2.5 million in fees.
Fines and Compensation Ordered
- Dandes copped a £20,000 compensation order and a £750 fine.
- Jamil, believed to be overseas, was fined a whopping £10,000 in his absence.
- Ms Bi was hit with a £6,000 fine plus an £8,745 compensation order.
Judge Munro warned the defendants about the “far-reaching and devastating” impact their scams had on victims.
“All of the defendants were of previous good character. The mitigation in all cases is a genuine lack of knowledge that the criminal behaviour was in fact criminal,” he said. “Both Ms Bi and Mr Dandes now accept they were negligent and innocent people suffered as a result.”
Victims Left in Legal Limbo
The fallout for those caught up in the dodgy advice was brutal:
- One victim was forced to leave the UK permanently.
- Another shelled out £7,000 fighting a failed application.
- Some had to travel to Shanghai or Bangkok to submit doomed applications.
- A couple stuck in the UK for two years while dealing with paperwork nightmares.
Official Warning to Use Regulated Advisers
John Tuckett, Immigration Services Commissioner, said:
“We are pleased with the Judge’s decision to fine these individuals, who acted outside the law and put many vulnerable people at risk. These financial penalties won’t fully compensate the victims, but hopefully they stress the importance of using regulated immigration advisers.”
How the Scam Worked
Dandes falsely claimed to be a qualified EU-registered lawyer and set up a supervision scheme for DDR Legal Services LLP, letting firms dodge proper regulatory oversight by the OISC.
As Dandes lacked the necessary UK qualifications to supervise immigration advice, all advice given under this scheme was illegal and unregulated.
Burlow & Spencer Ltd, one of the firms under this fake supervision, faced a barrage of 95 complaints before shutting down in 2019.
