An investigation by the Office of the Immigration Services Commissioner (OISC) has resulted in the prosecution of Sukhwinder Singh Kang, who has received an 18-month suspended prison

sentence for fraud and providing unregulated immigration advice.

Sukhwinder Singh Kang, 33, from Camberley, Surrey, pleaded guilty to three counts of providing unregulated immigration advice and services, along with four counts of fraud. He was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on 27 September 2024. Kang received a concurrent sentence of 16 months' imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, in addition to 150 hours of unpaid community service and 20 rehabilitation activity days. He was also ordered to pay £8,832 in compensation and a £156 victim surcharge, with no order for costs.

John Tuckett, Immigration Services Commissioner, said: "This investigation underscores the importance of our efforts in preventing illegal practices and protecting vulnerable individuals. OISC investigations are conducted across the UK to identify, disrupt, and eliminate the unlawful activities of unregistered immigration advisers. I want to extend my gratitude to everyone who helped bring about this successful outcome."

Between June 2020 and June 2021, Kang committed a series of fraudulent acts, targeting vulnerable young women who lacked knowledge of the immigration system. He impersonated a qualified immigration adviser, convincing his victims to pay large sums of money for his services. Using Facebook groups to find his targets, Kang posed as a Level 3 OISC immigration adviser, presenting forged certificates as proof of his qualifications. He assured the women that he would manage their visa applications, deceiving them through WhatsApp and text messages that he had submitted their applications to the Home Office.

The victims paid substantial fees upfront and entrusted Kang with their identity documents, which he falsely claimed had been submitted to the Home Office. When the victims began to suspect wrongdoing and threatened to report him, Kang promised refunds, compensation, and the return of their documents, but none of these promises were fulfilled.

The victims reported their concerns to the OISC, which regulates immigration advice and services in the UK. After a thorough investigation, Kang was successfully prosecuted, bringing an end to his fraudulent activities.