Safhir Majid, formerly a mortgage adviser, from Cradley Heath, was sentenced to 27 months imprisonment plus a victim surcharge after targeting unsuspecting members of the Pakistani community.
The advice also led to serious consequences for some of the victims who potentially face deportation.
Majid setup Empire Legal Solutions Ltd in Walsall with former businessman Shahid Ahmed Bhatti from Great Barr.
The pair pretended to be qualified immigration advisers with Majid posing as a fake solicitor.
They then took cash from unsuspecting members of the public by providing poor advice; in one case £4,500 from a client.
Despicable behaviour
His Honour Judge Mayo told Majid and Bhatti: “You bungled one application and as a result of your incompetence she faces removal from the UK.
“You threatened her husband and this is despicable behaviour, you threatened again in the case of other victims.
“Offences of this type prey on vulnerable people. Immigration relies on people being properly represented, you were incompetent and greedy.”
He added: “You have made a good deal of money from these frauds.”
Unqualified and not competent
Earlier this month Majid pleaded guilty to five counts of providing unqualified immigration advice and services and one count of fraud by false representation.
He will serve half the 27-month sentence in custody and half on licence.
Bhatti pleaded guilty to one count of providing unqualified immigration advice and one count of fraud by false representation and was given a 16-month sentence suspended for 24 months plus a victim surcharge.
Deputy Immigration Services Commissioner Dr Ian Leigh, said: “Safhir Majid and Shahid Ahmed Bhatti set up a criminal enterprise to provide immigration advice when they were not qualified or competent to do so.
“The degree of culpability is high, as is the harm they have caused. They owe a considerable amount of money to individuals, may have caused harm to unknown others and have undermined the immigration system.
“These are extremely serious offences. I am delighted with the outcome in this case.”
