Civil servant Imran M. was found guilty of accepting more than 3,000 pounds (3,500 euros) in bribe payments from a Bangladeshi asylum applicant in the UK.

The Daily Telegraph newspaper reported that the 39-year-old caseworker had called the Bangladeshi man after his asylum claim had been refused in February 2024.

During the case, Nural B. said that Imran M. had offered to take over his case to secure him asylum in the UK — in return for cash.

Within a week, 23-year-old Nural B. reportedly transferred an initial 1,500 pounds (around 1750 euros) into Imran B.'s bank account. As Imran M. allegedly continued working on the case and falsifying records to grant asylum, Nural B. continued to send money over a period of several months to the tune of 3,000 pounds (around 3,500 euros) in total, according to media reports.

Imran M. had reportedly been working as an executive officer as part of a team processing asylum claims based out of Manchester. 

He had been giving training in critical issues including security and data protection as well as counter fraud, bribery and corruption, according to a report by the BBC.

By the time Nural B. made the last payment to Imran M. the Home Office employee had already been placed under investigation.

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Prison sentences for both men

Imran M. pleaded guilty to charges of assisting unlawful immigration to the UK, securing unauthorized access to computer material with intent to commit or facilitate an offense in addition to three counts of bribery, resulting in a prison sentence of over four years handed down earlier this week, according to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS).

The bribery case was discovered after Imran M. reportedly attempted, one month later to make money out of illegally approving an asylum case again, this time involving a Turkish national who eventually exposed him.

Nural B. meanwhile was jailed for 18 months after pleading guilty to charges of conspiracy to assist unlawful immigration to the UK and two counts of bribery of a public official, according to the CPS.

It is unclear what exact fate will await Nural B. after serving his sentence, as there has been no comment on how authorities intend to deal with his fraudulent asylum status.

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Fight against corruption

Frances Killeen, the senior crown prosecutor allocated to the case, which was tried in the northwestern city of Preston, said: "Imran M. was in a trusted position in the asylum team at the Home Office. He abused that trust to line his own pockets by offering to change the outcome of asylum applications for money."

"I hope this case sends a clear message — the CPS is committed to working closely with law enforcement and immigration authorities to stamp out corruption," she added.

A Home Office spokesperson commented: "We expect the highest standards from asylum officials to ensure claims are properly considered, decisions are sound and that protection is granted to those who genuinely need it."

"We are unequivocal that whenever unacceptable behavior is found, the matter will be fully investigated, and prosecution will be pursued where appropriate."

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