A man has been arrested in East Ham for fraud in a raid this morning as part of a wave of operations across London.
The 27-year-old Indian man is being questioned after his arrest at a house in Nelson Street on suspicion of fraud and assisting unlawful immigration.
The Home Office said 14 other immigration offenders were “caught” at 5.30am on November 20 at four addresses, including Morris Avenue, Manor Park and Dominion Road, East Ham, as part of an ongoing investigation.
The group being targeted is suspected of producing and distributing counterfeit documents including passports, driving licences and bank cards for use in fraudulent visa applications.
Rob Allen, from the Home Office Criminal and Financial Investigation (Immigration) team, said: “These arrests are part of an ongoing investigation into suspected breaches of UK immigration law and suspected document fraud.
“This investigation will continue with the evidence we have seized today.”
The Home Office said nine of those arrested and are now detained pending their removal from the country.
The remaining five have been placed on temporary release and must report regularly to the Home Office while steps are taken to remove them from the country.
Anyone with information about suspected immigration crime can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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