Romanian gang who moved to UK after borders were opened jailed for selling fake IDs to illegal immigrants so they can claim benefits

Three Romanians are behind bars today for running a fake ID racket in Britain which could have entitled illegal immigrants to millions of pounds in state hand outs and free healthcare.

Crime boss Vasile Gheorghe and two accomplices Valentin Babtan and Andreea Necula exploited EU laws on border controls to offer forged Romanian and Italian identity cards and driving licences for up to £2,000 each to migrants hiding out in the UK.

Each fake ID would carry an image of the illegal immigrant, usually with the name and details of unsuspecting Romanian nationals living in Bucharest who would have been legally allowed to move to the UK under the EU’s Free Movement of workers programme.

• Crime boss Vasile Gheorghe and accomplices Valentin Babtan and Andreea Necula jailed
• Romanian trio exploited EU laws on border controls to run a fake ID racket
• They forged Romanian and Italian ID cards and driving licences for up to £2,000 each to migrants hiding in the UK
• Fake IDs carried image of illegal immigrant, often with names and details of unsuspecting Romanians living in Bucharest
• Trio were arrested in Lancashire after undercover investigation, court told 
• They have all been jailed after pleading guilty to supplying false documents

Three Romanians are behind bars today for running a fake ID racket in Britain which could have entitled illegal immigrants to millions of pounds in state hand outs and free healthcare.

Crime boss Vasile Gheorghe and two accomplices Valentin Babtan and Andreea Necula exploited EU laws on border controls to offer forged Romanian and Italian identity cards and driving licences for up to £2,000 each to migrants hiding out in the UK.

Each fake ID would carry an image of the illegal immigrant, usually with the name and details of unsuspecting Romanian nationals living in Bucharest who would have been legally allowed to move to the UK under the EU’s Free Movement of workers programme.

The EU ID cards entitling holders to UK benefits and free NHS treatment were sold mainly to illegal Afghans, Iraqis and Iranians who were smuggled into the UK after fleeing their homelands.

The three suspects were arrested last March following an undercover investigation during which Gheorghe, 39, handed over some of the ID cards to an investigator bragging: ‘Romania is now in Europe and cheques can be cashed with the card.