Being approached at work for an arranged marriage to get an immigrant into the UK

JustAnotherSaver

As much as you'll be forgiven for thinking so, this is not a wind up.

I've just found out that my sister was approached at work yesterday by this non-British woman. My sister was asked whether she was single. When she asked why, this woman asked her whether she would take part in an arranged marriage as she needs to get her brother into the UK but he needs to be married to stay over here. When my sister said not on your life this woman begged her not to say anything to anyone.

My sister went straight to her boss who basically said - if this woman brings up that topic again, try & get her off it.

Apparently this woman has also contacted another young worker there & requested the same from her. When this other person said she was going to uni, the foreign woman asked what for. Girl replied to study law to which foreign woman cut the conversation off - oh no, doesn't matter, don't tell anyone i spoke to you about this.


Surprising as this may sound, i've not dealt with too many of these instances, so what should she do since her boss doesn't seem interested? Should she go direct to the police (who no doubt will be more interested in stopping folk that they don't like the look of on a Friday night) or some immigration department somewhere or what?

She's also concerned that if she does report it, it'll be flipped on her & seen as being racist.

d123

JustAnotherSaver wrote: »

Should she go direct to the police (who no doubt will be more interested in stopping folk that they don't like the look of on a Friday night) or some immigration department somewhere or what?

She's also concerned that if she does report it, it'll be flipped on her & seen as being racist.

I would suggest Crimestoppers or the UK Border Agency.

paddedjohn

Call the police asap, if its not reported then theres a good chance that some girl will fall for it and then its too late.

JustAnotherSaver

paddedjohn wrote: »

Call the police asap, if its not reported then theres a good chance that some girl will fall for it and then its too late.

This is my thoughts exactly.

Aside from the fact that it's illegal, my sister & this girl might've said no, but someone may say yes, especially if a cash incentive is put forth & what's to say this brother isn't a murderer or rapist or whatever? Even if they're not, they shouldn't bloody well be here!!

I'll speak to my sister, but if she decides not to, for fear of repercussions at her job (she's not been there long), can anyone else (me) report it? Or does it have to be her really?

d123

JustAnotherSaver wrote: »

This is my thoughts exactly.

Aside from the fact that it's illegal, my sister & this girl might've said no, but someone may say yes, especially if a cash incentive is put forth & what's to say this brother isn't a murderer or rapist or whatever? Even if they're not, they shouldn't bloody well be here!!

I'll speak to my sister, but if she decides not to, for fear of repercussions at her job (she's not been there long), can anyone else (me) report it? Or does it have to be her really?

If she is worried, Crimestoppers can be used anonymously.

ValHaller

Has anything illegal actually been done? It seems that the proposed action is intended to do something in compliance with the law rather than break it. Even to the point that if the proposed marriage is genuine rather than a sham ....

jacques_chirac

ValHaller wrote: »

Has anything illegal actually been done? It seems that the proposed action is intended to do something in compliance with the law rather than break it. Even to the point that if the proposed marriage is genuine rather than a sham ....

It is an offence to do an act which facilitates the commission of a breach of immigration law - assisting in the arrangement of a sham marriage is covered by this offence.

ValHaller

jacques_chirac wrote: »

It is an offence to do an act which facilitates the commission of a breach of immigration law - assisting in the arrangement of a sham marriage is covered by this offence.

Agreed. But the big problem with this is that until there actually is a marriage you cannot say whether it is a sham marriage unless there is evidence to show that a proposed marriage is not genuine. Hence the position for accusing OP's sister's colleague of facilitating a breach is rather weak.

So if the colleague offered money to marry her brother, then there is a case. But if there is no inducement, then it is just another cupid encounter with someone trying to set 2 people up together.

jacques_chirac

ValHaller wrote: »

But the big problem with this is that until there actually is a marriage you cannot say whether it is a sham marriage unless there is evidence to show that a proposed marriage is not genuine.

The intent is very clear - the marriage is needed in order for him to get entry to the UK. If you are suggesting the sister is doing nothing more than playing cupid, I would suggest she changes her tactics!

JustAnotherSaver wrote: »

this woman asked her whether she would take part in an arranged marriage as she needs to get her brother into the UK but he needs to be married to stay over here.

ValHaller

jacques_chirac wrote: »

The intent is very clear - the marriage is needed in order for him to get entry to the UK. If you are suggesting the sister is doing nothing more than playing cupid, I would suggest she changes her tactics!

The intent is very clear. And it is legal with a genuine marriage.

OP's sister's colleague is not offering inducements, she does not need to change her tactics

beecher2

https://report-ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/

I'd report it and let them work out whether it is legal or not