The Dutch authorities in Rotterdam have arrested a 37-year-old Nigerian man from the United Kingdom for allegedly arranging sham marriages between Nigerian men and Antillean women. Five men and three women were arrested on similar charges in the UK.

The Antillean women - who hold Dutch passports - were recruited in the Netherlands. They received up to 5,000 euros for travelling to the UK and marrying Nigerian men without residence permits. The marriages, which were concluded in a church in Nottingham, gave the men legal status and access to all EU member states.

The Dutch authorities have been working closely together with the Crown Prosecution Service and the UK Border Agency since last year. The first evidence of sham marriages involving Dutch subjects and Nigerian men came to light in 2008.

The suspect allegedly married a Nigerian woman in 2009 for the sole purpose of helping her obtain a residence permit and has also been accused of involvement in violent crimes. He will be extradited to the UK.

(gsh/ae)

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