IMMIGRATION officers have raided an Indian restaurant and arrested two men who were working illegally.

Officers from Home Office Immigration Enforcement visited Way to the Raj, Coggeshall Road, Marks Tey after receiving a tip-off.

Staff were questioned to find out whether they had the right to remain living and working in the UK and two Bangladeshi men were arrested shortly after 6.15pm last night.

The men, aged 20 and 29, had overstayed student visas.

Both are in custody and are facing deportation.

Ahmed Foysol, from the restaurant, said: “We were told they were students and had the right to work.

“They gave us false information.

“We did not know.

“The restaurant thought they were ok to work.”

The restaurant is facing fines of £40,000 unless the owners can prove they carried out proper checks.

Chief Immigration Officer Jack Davis said: “We are working hard to identify, arrest and remove people who are abusing the UK’s immigration system.

“All of our operations are intelligence led and information from the public is a vital part of this work.

“I would encourage people with detailed and specific information about illegal immigration to contact us.

“Using illegal labour is not a victimless crime. It defrauds the Treasury, undercuts honest businesses and cheats legitimate job seekers of employment.

“Those who ignore the rules, and do not carry out the simple checks to ensure their employees have the right to work in the UK, will face the consequences.”

For more information on right to work checks visit: https://www.gov.uk/check-job-applicant-right-to-work

Employers with questions about checking a job applicant’s right to work in the UK can call a dedicated support line for advice on 0300 123 4699.

They can also use the Employers’ Checking Service for checks on migrants with outstanding immigration applications and appeals at www.gov.uk/employee-immigration-employment-status

Anyone with concerns about illegal working or non compliant employers should report this to the Home Office online at www.gov.uk/report-immigration-crime or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.