Fugitive college conman facing six years in jail
A GRINNING ‘bogus college’ boss faces six years in prison after being sentenced in his absence for profiting from the immigration system.
Muhammad Babar Bashir, 38, who posed on a bed full of the illgotten gains collected from the ‘cash for visas’ scam, fled the country after being found guilty by a jury. He removed his electronic tag in January and failed to turn up for a sentencing hearing held at Manchester Crown Court.
His co-defendant, Koteswara Nallamothu, 36, who helped provide students for a college in Ashton, received a suspended sentence during the same hearing.
Another co-defendant, Tashina Nayyar, 51, was previously jailed for two years and three months for her part in the crime. Police found about £90,000 in cash hidden in her loft, and a further £29,500 in a safety deposit box.
St John College in Ashton and Kinnaird College in Manchester city centre had no equipment or teachers. But they were used to help people who wouldn’t otherwise be entitled to live and study in the UK to do so.
Potential ‘students’ would hand over money in exchange for a ‘golden ticket,’ a confirmation of acceptance of study (CAS) letter – which enabled them to get a student visa. Hundreds of such letters were given out at both colleges, 955 ‘students’ through St John College, with 352 at Kinnaird.
Sentencing, Judge Elizabeth Nicholls said: “The profits to be made were substantial. The motivation was plainly financial.”
Bashir, of Bold Street, Moss Side, and Nallamothu, of Upper Wortley Road, Rotherham, were sentenced after being found guilty of conspiracy to facilitate breaches of UK immigration law following a trial.
Bashir received a six-year sentence, which will start after he is arrested.
Nallamothu was sentenced to 24 months in prison, suspended for two years, and must observe a curfew from 9pm to 7.30am for five months.