Man Who Entered UK Illegally by Boat Jailed After Police Discovered He Was Helping Other Asylum Seekers Enter Britain Using a Shocking Different Method

A man who helped people enter the UK illegally by booking commercial flights using false information has been jailed for three years and nine months.

Benjamin White, 27, who is also known as Parham Sarabi, arranged flights for Iranian nationals travelling to the UK from airports in France and Spain. Prosecutors said he used false passenger information and different contact details when making the bookings.

White, an Iranian national, had previously entered the UK illegally by boat after an asylum application in Germany was unsuccessful. He later applied for a UK visa, but the application was refused. He came to Britain while an appeal against that decision was taking place.

He eventually settled in Barry, Wales, and was granted permission to remain in the UK until November 2027.

Merthyr Tydfil Crown Court heard that after arriving in Britain, White began helping other Iranian nationals travel to the UK using commercial flights.

Prosecutor Byron Broadstock told the court that White booked 12 flights between September 2023 and July 2024.

When arranging the journeys, he used different names, dates of birth, nationalities, passport information, email addresses and phone numbers. He also paid for the flights on behalf of the passengers.

Five people successfully arrived in the UK on commercial flights and later applied for asylum.

Others did not complete their journeys. Two people were arrested at the airports they were due to leave from, while another two checked in for their flights but did not attempt to board. One other person did not turn up at the airport.

The Home Office launched an investigation and officers were able to connect the flight bookings to White through payment information, email addresses and other records.

White was arrested on December 9, 2025. During a search of his property, officers also found two international driving licences containing false names.

Investigators discovered that White had created a company called Sky Permit just three days before his arrest. The court was told that the company had not yet been used as part of the offences, although prosecutors said they believed it could have been intended for future flight bookings.

White received requests from people through the Telegram messaging app. He was reportedly paid using Bitcoin or other cryptocurrency.

He claimed he received only $50 for each booking, but Judge Paul Hobson questioned this claim, saying such a small payment would not appear to make commercial sense.

During a police interview, White was asked whether he checked why the people contacting him could not simply book their own flights.

He said he did not care about their reasons and used strong language to make clear that his main concern was making money from the arrangements.

White later pleaded guilty to assisting unlawful immigration into the UK. The court was told that he had no previous convictions.

His barrister, Nigel Fryer, argued that only a small number of people actually reached the UK because of White’s actions. He also said the journeys were made on normal commercial flights rather than through more dangerous methods such as small boats.

The court heard that White’s parents and partner live in Cardiff and that his future immigration status in Britain is expected to be considered separately.

Judge Hobson sentenced White to three years and nine months in prison for his role in helping people enter the UK unlawfully.