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Patrick Moran secures conviction of 'spy-duo' who helped immigrants cheat Knowledge of Life immigration tests

Patrick Moran acting on behalf of the Crown secured a conviction in the case of a husband-and-wife team who were operating an elaborate scam to help Chinese immigrants cheat on immigration tests using spy technology. 

Believed to be the first case of its kind, the couple used sophisticated surveillance equipment to feed answers to two Chinese men during 'knowledge of life' immigration tests. The pair supplied a shirt fitted with tiny buttonhole cameras sewn in, a microphone and a small earpiece. They would then help the person taking the exam, who may be unable to speak, read or write English, directing them through the earpiece to move their body so the camera could view the exam paper. They would then tell the person taking the test which box to tick. 

The couple were paid £1,000 for each test pass. The couple were given eight months imprisonment.     

  For further information

• Pair used spy gadgets to help immigration test cheats - The Times
• 'Spy' duo wired up migrants to cheat UK test - The Sun
• Chinese fraudsters used hidden cameras and microphones to help immigrants cheat on their 'Britishness' exams - The Daily Mail
• James Bond style spy gear used to cheat immigration test - The Telegraph

25 November 2008

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