Nigerian Romance Scammer Spared Deportation Over Family’s Medical Needs

A Nigerian man who scammed women out of nearly £200,000 has avoided deportation from the United Kingdom after a tribunal ruled that his wife and children’s medical conditions required his presence in the country.

Emmanuel Jack, 35, was convicted of romance fraud in 2014 and sentenced to three years in prison for orchestrating a scheme that targeted vulnerable women online.

Operating under fake identities such as John Creed, John Windsor, and Johnnie Carlo Rissi, Jack manipulated women into believing they were in a romantic relationship with him, ultimately convincing them to transfer large sums of money.

His fraudulent activities, which took place between 2011 and 2012, resulted in a total of £186,000 being stolen from six victims in the UK and the US.

Despite his criminal record, an immigration and asylum tribunal in London ruled against his deportation, citing concerns over the impact on his British wife and children, who require ongoing medical care.

Jack’s 18-month-old son, born prematurely, has serious developmental issues that demand specialist attention, while his six-year-old daughter suffers from eyesight problems.

His wife, who met him after his release from prison, also has significant medical issues related to pregnancy.

The tribunal was told that Jack has played a crucial role in his family’s well-being, particularly in providing care for his children and supporting his wife’s medical needs.

His stepdaughter, a 16-year-old from his wife’s previous relationship, described in a letter how Jack’s deportation would devastate their family.

The judges, Victor Rae-Reeves and Luke Bulpitt, found that deportation would cause undue hardship for his family, emphasizing the complexity of their medical needs and the potential difficulties they would face accessing appropriate healthcare in Nigeria.

The tribunal noted that while healthcare services are available in Nigeria, they are not as easily accessible or comprehensive as the specialized care his family receives in the UK.

\"Moving to Nigeria would significantly disrupt that care, frustrate ongoing investigations, and end the consistency of care that they have each been receiving to date,\" the ruling stated.

The judges also pointed out that finding suitable treatment for all three family members in one location in Nigeria would be extremely challenging.

Jack arrived in the UK in 1997 at the age of 10 and was later granted indefinite leave to remain.

Before his conviction, he successfully applied for British citizenship.

However, after his fraud conviction, the Home Office revoked his citizenship and ordered his deportation in 2022.

Jack appealed the decision, arguing that deportation would place an unreasonable burden on his family and cause significant distress.

His lawyer presented evidence of the close emotional and practical support he provides to his children, stressing that his absence would have serious consequences for their well-being.

The tribunal acknowledged the role Jack plays in his family, with the judges describing him as a \"loving and very hands-on father.\"

The panel also highlighted the strong bonds within the family, stating that their shared medical struggles have resulted in an exceptionally close-knit dynamic.

A priest who testified on Jack’s behalf stated that deporting him would be disastrous for the family, further reinforcing the argument that his presence in the UK was essential.

The judges ultimately concluded that while the public has an interest in deporting foreign criminals, the impact on Jack’s family would be disproportionately severe.

\"We find that the strength and depth of [his] relationships with his wife and children and the close involvement he has had in their care over a prolonged period mean it is highly likely that the young children in particular would suffer an emotional, psychological and practical impact as a result of [his] removal that is unduly harsh,\" the tribunal ruled.

This ruling has sparked debate, with critics arguing that Jack’s past crimes should outweigh personal circumstances, while others believe the decision underscores the UK’s commitment to uphol

ding family unity in complex immigration cases.