Three Albanian men have admitted using false information or documents in applications to the EU Settlement Scheme, which grants residence rights to eligible EU, EEA and Swiss citizens and their families. The case forms part of a wider Home Office investigation into suspected immigration fraud, with the men due to be sentenced in September.

Sina Ervin, 35, Kadri Sinamati, 28, and Kastriot Hoxha, 32, were arrested in June raids across England and Wales and remanded in custody. Hoxha also admitted cannabis possession with intent to supply, while another defendant, Denis Hani, received 14 months’ imprisonment on 16 July; a fifth man will face trial in November.