'Fraudster' posed as another woman to pass visa test, court hears

A MUM-of-five has been charged with fraudulently posing as other women to take “Life in the UK” visa tests at centres in Lewisham and elsewhere.

Judith Meta-Mbombo Mintosha, 44, allegedly pretended to be Martha Atakorah to take the test at PDA (Training) Limited in Lewisham High Street.

Prosecutors say Mintosha pulled the same trick at several other centres across the UK, including one which she allegedly went to several times – posing as two different women.

Nnamdi Nwodo, prosecuting, said Mintosha was obtaining test results for others for her own financial gain.

The “Life in the UK” computer test is a key step for individuals seeking Indefinite Leave to Remain or naturalisation as a British citizen.

Judith Meta-Mbombo Mintosha — **PICTURED: Mintosha leaving Thames Magistrates Court on Wednesday**

Mintosha is accused of taking tests on behalf of others from from 2022 to 2024.

She allegedly posed as Chiata Coulibaly at the Computer Learning Centre in Hounslow in 2022, Martha Atakorah at PSI Reading, Fabrice Ngassam at PSI Leicester and Tatchenin Madoussou Edwige Toure at Synod Solutions Ltd in Maidstone.

It is claimed she also pretended to be Hannah Kehinde Adeche at the PSI centre in Peterborough and again at the MTS facility in Coventry.

The PDA (Training) Limited centre in Lewisham High Street — **PICTURED: She allegedly took a test on behalf of another woman at the PDA (Training) Limited centre in Lewisham High Street**

And prosecutors say she pulled the same trick at the Iranian Association in London’s King Street, posing as Linda Danquah on her first couple of visits before returning three months later as Chiata Coulibaly.

Thames Magistrates Court heard how Mintosha was arrested at a UK airport after returning to the country from a trip overseas.

Mr Nwodo said she returned last year from a six-month trip to Congo, where he claimed she had “extensive ties”.

**PICTURED: It is claimed she also posed as two different women at the Iranian Association centre in King Street, Hammersmith**

Her passport was seized at the airport but Mr Nwodo warned she was still a flight risk and called for restrictions on her bail to prevent her from travelling.

Mintosha’s defence lawyer, Denise Wilson-Osuide, called for unconditional bail, arguing the mum has deep roots in the UK and has lived here since she was nine.

Thames Magistrates Court ultimately decided to bar Mintosha, who lives in Hackney, from applying for international travel documents and tickets and banned her from going to any international airports or ports as part of her conditional bail.

**PICTURED: It is alleged she also undertook a test on behalf of someone else at PSI Reading**

Life in the UK tests were introduced for citizenship applicants in 2005 and extended to those seeking Indefinite Leave to Remain in 2007.

They are designed to gauge whether an applicant has a good knowledge of British life or not.

They include questions such as “who was the first female Prime Minister of the UK” and “What did the Magna Carta do”.

Applicants must score more than 75% to pass the test, although they can rebook it as many times as they want if they fail.

Current Government guidance states that individuals must bring their ID with them and have their picture taken on the day of the test.

Mintosha’s next hearing will take place at Snaresbrook Crown Court on April 29.

Home » News » ‘Fraudster’ posed as another woman to pass visa test, court hears

‘Fraudster’ posed as another woman to pass visa test, court hears

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