They were arrested on 1 September 2011 by specialist officers from the UK Border Agency assisted by the PSNI after organising a sham marriage ceremony at Newry Register Office.

Jaspreet Singh, a 24-year-old Indian student living in Dublin was arrested as he was about to marry 24-year-old Latvian woman Irina Kudinoiva.

Two 33-year-old Indian men, Jarmal Singh Minhas and Karamjit Singh also living in Dublin and who acted as witnesses were also arrested.

Earl Aiken, senior criminal investigator for the UK Border Agency said after the sentencing:
 
“This case shows how people are prepared to enter into a marriage with someone they barely know to help them cheat the immigration system in exchange for cash. 

“The UK Border Agency is cracking down on sham marriages and those who seek to cheat immigration laws face prosecution and conviction.”

Kudinova was sentenced to 11 months suspended for three years and fined £1,000 for assisting unlawful immigration (facilitation) by agreeing to take part in a sham marriage to Jaspreet Singh at Newry Register Office on 1 September 2011.

Jaspreet Singh who was illegally in the UK was sentenced to 11 months suspended for three years and fined £2,000 for seeking leave to remain in the UK by deception by taking part in a sham marriage at Newry Register Office on 1 September 2011.

Jarmal Singh Minhas and Karamjit Singh were both sentenced to 11months suspended for three years and fined £2,000 each for assisting unlawful immigration (facilitation) by acting as witnesses to a sham marriage at Newry Register Office on 1 September 2011.