A couple who built up a property empire using a stolen ID have both been handed prison sentences.
Stasys Skarbalius, 60, and Virginija Skarbaliene, 56, of Crown Gardens, Scotter, entered the country from Lithuania as illegal immigrants then built up a property empire and successful gangmaster business.
Sheffield Crown Court heard the couple’s property empire was built through Skarbalius using his fake identity as Dutch national Charles Luske to obtain a series of mortgages.
With his fake identity, Skarbalius purchased four properties and opened bank accounts before transferring properties into that name.
Earlier in the year, Skarbalius admitted nine fraud charges, two of theft and one of obtaining a mortgage by deception.
He and Skarbaliene attempted to transfer a fraudulently obtained mortgage for his office premises into the name of her niece on the promise of a £12,000 handout and a pay rise.
The couple sold their matrimonial home to other family members to remove traces of Skarbalius’ fake identity but Skarbaliene continued to pay the mortgage.
Detective Constable Grant Bailey, of the East Midlands Regional Asset Recovery Team, said it had been a very complex investigation but they had been able to establish successful evidence.
"This investigation has demonstrated once again that the RART can offer the specialist investigative skills needed to support regulatory agencies when there are breaches in lawful practice," said DC Bailey.
"We will now be pursuing Confiscation Orders under the Proceeds of Crime Act. This should enable us to seize any assets owned by the two convicted persons that have been obtained through criminal conduct."
Both were convicted under a previously unused section of the Gangmasters (Licensing) Act at Sheffield Crown Court where Skarbalius was handed a two-and-a-half year sentence while Skarbaliene received a three year sentence.
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