Immigration swoop in Forest Gate over million pound benefit scam

Eight arrests made in the early hours of the morning

Two men and six women were arrested in Forest Gate today in connection with an alleged �1 million benefit and immigration scam.

Eight homes were targeted in a series of dawn raids involving around 50 officers from the UK Border Agency, Metropolitan Police and other law enforcement agencies.

They recovered a number of fake passports and approximately �1,600 in cash.

The arrests were made on suspicion of conspiracy to defraud, facilitate a breach of immgration law and obtain benefits and passports by deception.

The UK Border Agency suspected that a ringleader deliberately brought foreign nationals into the UK in an attempt to defraud the benefit system.

Those arrested are aged between 18 and 48 and are being questioned in police custody.