11 people arrested during massive garda operation into sham marriages
MORE THAN 200 gardaí investigating marriages of convenience conducted 42 raids on premises across the country today, arresting 11 people.
Operation Vantage kicked off on 10 August this year after authorities noticed an increasing trend of men from Pakistan, India and Bangladesh marrying women from EU countries, particularly Portugal and eastern Europe.
According to gardaí, the investigation has uncovered a number of criminal networks in the UK and Ireland which provide false information and documentation to marriage registrars.
“These criminal elements are gleaning huge profits by organising residency status for non-EU nationals through these marriages of convenience,” a garda spokesperson said.
Searches were carried out in Dublin, Kildare, Meath, Longford, Louth, Limerick, Mayo and Cork as gardaí tracked down evidence of fraud with the help of teams from the Criminal Assets Bureau, immigration services, Revenue Commissioners and the Department of Social Protection.
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