A Chinese man is facing deportation after being found working illegally in a Moray takeaway.
Immigration officials raided the Golden Sea takeaway on Elgin’s Newmill Road on Friday after receiving a tip-off.
Now the Home Office has confirmed a 45-year-old was found working illegally at the Chinese, that steps will be taken to remove him from the UK.
The takeaway could also be fined up to £20,000 unless staff can prove they carried out right-to-work checks, such as seeing a passport or official Home Office documentation.
Golden Sea management refused to comment on the incident last night.
Elgin City North councillor Patsy Gowans said a £20,000 fine would prove disastrous for the company.
She said: “I’m aware that restaurateurs sometimes tend to employ illegal immigrants as it can be cheaper than hiring workers through legitimate means.
“But it’s obviously not worth the risk, and for a small business a fine of £20,000 can be crippling.”
Acting on intelligence, the Home Office’s immigration enforcement team swooped on the Elgin eatery at 7pm on Friday evening.
The team, along with police officers, spent around two hours in the building questioning staff to establish whether they had the right to live and work in the UK.
Residents living nearby said the drama had caused a stir, and admitted they were surprised to hear there could be problems with staff there.
Last night Home Office immigration official Stephen Roarty said: “This is a clear warning to those in Scotland abusing our immigration laws.
“Employers who use illegal labour are defrauding the taxpayer, undercutting genuine employers and denying legitimate job hunters work.
“We are happy to work with employers who want to play by the rules but those which continue to flout them will face heavy financial penalties.
“I would urge anyone with detailed and specific information about suspected immigration abuse to get in touch.”
Anyone with information about suspected immigration abuse should visit www.gov.uk/report-immigration-crime or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.