Mohammed Mattar has been charged with conducting sham marriages
Kilburn imam charged with conducting sham marriages in Westbourne Grove
Lorraine King, News editor
Wednesday, March 20, 2013
11:53 AM
Mohammed Mattar, 61, is accused of conducting bogus cermonies at the Dar Al Dawa Islamic Centre
What is a sham marriage?
When a non-European national marries someone from the European Economic Area as a means of attempting to gain long-term residency and the right to work and claim benefits in the UK.
An imam from Kilburn has been charged with carrying out a series of sham marriages at an Islamic centre in Westbourne Grove.
Mohammed Mattar, of Maygrove Road, is accused of conspiracy to facilitate a breach of the UK’s immigration laws by conducting the bogus ceremonies at the Dar Al Dawa Islamic Centre.
The 61-year-old is also charged with money laundering, relating to the alleged transfer of £1.9 million to an Egyptian bank account in his name.
Mattar acted as an imam at the centre between January 2008 and July last year.
He was arrested by officers from the UK Border Agency’s Criminal and Financial Investigations Team at the Islamic Centre last July, and was bailed to return to police station on Monday where he was charged.
Mattar will appear at West London Magistrates Court on April 15.
Most Read News
Man tries to abduct schoolboy in Kingsbury
Victim, 14, was targeted in Goldsmith Lane yesterday afternoon
- Pictured: The killers of Dollis Hill roofer Luke Fitzpatrick
- Six years in jail for Kilburn drug dealer caught with £105k worth of cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis
- Former Kensal Green man was gunned down during a £100k drugs deal
- Wembley schoolchildren launch Twitter campaign to get former Arsenal player Ian Wright to visit them
Local advertisers
Other Crime & Court Articles
- Former Kensal Green man was gunned down during a £100k drugs deal
- New CCTV pictures released in FA Cup violence appeal
- Recycling firm in Harlesden ordered to pay £370k after worker crushed to death
- Assault charge dropped against Liverpool footballer Raheem Sterling
- Six years in jail for Kilburn drug dealer caught with £105k worth of cocaine, ecstasy and cannabis
- Teenager from Queen’s Park accused of indecently touching woman in Kensal Rise
- Pictured: The killers of Dollis Hill roofer Luke Fitzpatrick
- Luke Fitzpatrick’s mum claims her son’s killers had been terrorising Dollis Hill for years
- Man and two teenage boys found guilty of killing Luke Fitzpatrick in Dollis Hill
- QPR striker Loic Remy is bailed after being arrested on suspicion of rape
-
Use our Wedding site to help you plan your big day! - At WeddingSite we know how much you have to organise for your wedding day, that's why we have designed a set of FREE, simple-to-use tools to make the planning process easy & hassle-free. FIND OUT MORE
-
Find a date using our online dating and friend finder - You can meet new friends, find romance or simply meet up online with people sharing similar interests and hobbies. FIND OUT MORE
-
Find a local business using our online directory search - Need a plumber? Or a florist? Or anything else? Search our business directory to find Kilburn businesses in just a few seconds. FIND OUT MORE
-
Family notices from the Brent & Kilburn Times, with readers' tributes - In memoriam, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, best wishes & special days. FIND OUT MORE
Celebrity / Showbiz See all
Picture gallery: Chelsea Flower Show 2013
The RHS Chelsea Flower Show opens to the public today, but celebrities and VIPs, including the Queen, have already had a look at the floral displays.
- Tom Hiddleston to take lead role in Donmar Warehouse’s production of Coriolanus
- Theatre review: Hutch at Riverside Studios, Hammersmith
- Kate Winslet hosts fundraiser for homeless charity
- Move over, Leo! There’s a new Gatsby in town
- Young Sherlock Holmes author Andrew Lane to present Lost Worlds