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Conman who faked citizenship ceremony is jailed
Felix Allen30 Sep 2009
A conman who staged a fake citizenship ceremony - complete with a bogus Home Secretary - has been jailed for four and a half years.
Xiang Li, 29, from Stratford in east London, was part of a gang that tricked dozens of desperate Chinese immigrants to part with their savings for the promise of a British passport.
The victims all believed they were genuinely becoming British citizens when they were invited to a reception at Methodist Central Hall in Westminster, which the gang had paid more than £6,000 to hire.
During the ceremony, a man introduced as the Home Secretary gave a speech welcoming the new citizens to Britain. At that time the Home Secretary was Jacqui Smith.
The fake minister, immigration officials, security guards and even most of the audience were actors who had themselves been duped into thinking they were making a promotional video.
Li, convicted of fraud and immigration offences, was sentenced at Southwark crown court.
The alleged mastermind, Tian Zhao, has never been caught.
Reader views (6)
He would have probably got away with it if he hadn't advertised the venue as being near Bluckingham Parace!
- Nowan King, London, 01/10/2009 15:22
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Instead of these pointless ceremonies I wish these people would at least attempt to learn English if they're that hell bent on living here.
And before someone comes in with 'How many languages do you speak Steve?'I have no intention of leaving my country of origin unlike these desperate charlatans.
- Steve, London, 01/10/2009 13:52
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Ironically, if he'd given it another 2 weeks he'd have been in with a chance of actually being Home Secretary, Brown is now swapping his cabinet every 2 weeks and allowing unelected officials in.
- Bob, Cheam, 01/10/2009 09:26
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How would anyone know the fake ministers and officials
from the real ones!?
"At that time the Home Secretary was Jacqui Smith" - no
surprise there then!
- Lb, Bromley, 30/09/2009 23:01
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I know its wrong to, but I can't help but laugh my head off about this story.
- P Staker, Londonistan., 30/09/2009 16:24
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So under Labour that means with good behaviour and an automatic halving of the sentence he will be back at it in two years time.
- Frank, Home Counties, England., 30/09/2009 14:58
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