Asylum seeker jailed for using fake names

IRAQI’S FRAUDULENT CLAIMS UNCOVERED AFTER HE SPENT 20 YEARS LIVING IN CITY

AN Iraqi National who used two fake names to claim for asylum in the UK has been jailed.

Ali Hussain Karim, 47, first came to the attention of the Home Office when he applied for asylum in 1999 under the name Kamal Monsour.

Thereafter, he ‘repeatedly and deliberately’ attempted to create ‘new identities’ whilst applying for ID documents such as passports and driving licences, Manchester Crown Court heard.

Also using the name Hawre Hasan Raza, he made passport and travel document applications, as well as an application to become a ‘naturalised citizen.’

However, the authorities became aware of his fraudulent activities when the real Mr Raza from Iraq applied for a passport renewal.

Karim, of Crumpsall, pleaded guilty to three offences of fraud by false representation, one offence of possession of a false identity document and one offence of seeking leave to remain in the UK by deceptive means.

He was sentenced to 14 months imprisonment.

Prosecutor Craig MacGregor told the court that on June 10 this year, a warrant was executed at Karim’s home.

“Amongst other items seized were an Iraqi passport in the name of Hawre Hasan Raza, a British passport in the name Hawre Hasan Raza and an Iraqi passport in the name Ali Hussain Karim,” Mr MacGregor said.

“The passport photographs in all three are of the defendant.

“After the arrest and at the police station, the defendant gave what he said was his true name Ali Hussain Karim.

“This defendant first came to the attention of the authorities in 1999 as Kamal Monsour with his first asylum claim and then what follows is a deliberate and systematic attempt to create new identities.”

Richard Orme, mitigating, said: “The reason for the false applications was that he was desperate to remain in the UK.

“During the time in the UK he lived in Manchester for 20 years.

“The reason he came over here was as a result of the persecution and death of his father who was a businessman, who he said was killed by Saddam Hussein. All of his assets were seized.

“He has led a lawabiding life outside of these applications.” Sentencing him, Judge Timothy Smith said: “What is the truth is unclear, you have masked it in a veil of deceit over a long period of time, but there is no evidence that you are linked to other criminal activity.”

Karim, of Stanhope Avenue, was sentenced to 14 months’ imprisonment.

The truth is unclear, you have masked it in a veil of deceit over a long period of time Judge Timothy Smith