Gang Behind Illegal Migrant Cleaners at Sainsbury’s Jailed
A ruthless gang that recruited illegal migrants to clean at Sainsbury’s stores across Oxfordshire and the South West has finally been brought to justice.
Leader Locked Up for Six Years
At Oxford Crown Court on August 7, five gang members were sentenced for exploiting around 40 illegal workers, mainly from West Africa. The gang made up to £600,000 over a decade by using fake employee identities to claim wages fraudulently.
Boss Momodou Chune, 55, of Oxford, was jailed for six years after being found guilty of six counts of assisting unlawful immigration and three counts of concealing criminal property.
How the Scam Worked
- Chune, an area manager for ISS Facility Services and Exclusive Contract Services, exploited illegal migrants from 2006 to 2016 to clean nine Sainsbury’s stores in Oxfordshire and Wiltshire.
- He supplied workers with multiple PIN numbers to rig pay based on logged hours, inflating wage claims.
- The gang funneled workers’ wages into Chune’s and associates’ bank accounts.
- Chune also controlled workers’ housing, charging extortionate rent from cash payments — one worker earned £250 monthly but paid £220 rent.
- They laundered over £310,000 through fake workers and illegal wages.
Other Gang Members Sentenced
- A 48-year-old woman got 12 months suspended for concealing £31,685.
- A 54-year-old woman received 18 months suspended for hiding over £200,701.
- A 50-year-old man was jailed for 23 months for concealing £78,638 and possessing a false ID.
- A 41-year-old man got two years suspended for fraudulently receiving wages as a supervisor.
Officials Praise Tough Enforcement
“This gang leader ruthlessly exploited illegal workers for profit,” said Chris Foster, Deputy Director of Criminal and Financial Investigations at the Home Office. “Our investigation has stopped this crime network in its tracks. Immigration Enforcement will keep targeting offenders to ensure they face justice.”
Immigration Minister Robert Jenrick added: “Illegal working damages communities, cheats honest workers, and defrauds the public purse. That’s why we’ve increased enforcement by 50% to crack down on these criminals.”
