A woman in the UK has been accused of a sophisticated scheme involving impersonating at least 14 different individuals during citizenship examinations. The 61-year-old woman allegedly employed a variety of wigs and disguises to take these tests on behalf of others, posing as both men and women. The UK Home Office emphasized the severity of such fraudulent activities, stating that they can lead to individuals unjustly gaining residency rights, potentially posing a threat to public safety.

Upon her arrest, immigration authorities confiscated numerous counterfeit documents and the disguises believed to have been used in the scheme. Investigations suggest that the woman operated across various testing centers throughout the UK over a period spanning from June 2022 to August 2023.

Phillip Parr, an inspector with Immigration Enforcement’s criminal and financial investigation team, described the operation as a complex investigation that successfully halted this potentially harmful activity. He highlighted the suspect's calculated efforts to avoid detection, including carefully chosen disguises and test locations throughout the country. The “Life in the UK Test” is a mandatory assessment for those seeking permanent residency or British citizenship. This test comprises 24 questions designed to evaluate an applicant’s understanding of British culture, history, and societal values.