Cops warn residents over status con
(CNS): Police are issuing a warning to non-Caymanians that there is no quick route to permanent residency or becoming Caymanian after a number of reports that con artists are still trying to peddle expedited status. The Financial Crime Unit said further complaints have been received over the past few days of individuals claiming to be immigration officials or government representatives who were soliciting cash from people for Cayman Status.
“There is no such expedited immigration process underway at this time and such solicitations are unlawful and fraudulent,” a police spokesperson said as they urged people who have been approached on the topic to report the matter to police at 949-8797.
An application to reside permanently in the Cayman Islands can only be made by people who have lived in the jurisdiction continuously for a minimum of 8 years.
“The process involves submitting a completed and signed application form as well as a number of supporting documents. These include a cover letter, a police clearance certificate, a medical questionnaire, character and bank references and evidence of property ownership,” the FCU stated. “The applicant must also pay certain prescribed fees at the time of making the application to the Immigration Department. There is no other way to apply for permanent residency.”
Police added that officers from the Immigration Department or any other government officials should not approach members of the public to offer permanent residency or to solicit funds to pay for permanent residency.
For more information about or to make a report regarding the reported scam contact the Financial Crime Unit at 949-8797.
For more on immigration processes go to www.immigration.gov.ky
Category: Crime, Immigration, Police
More and more people that I know are taking a year out and living cheaply or travelling. Nobody really trusts the PR system or where the money goes.
who wants to buy a place then have to repair it after constant burglaries?
Dude, your “treason” comments are getting old, time to move on
There are a fair amount of people here who would just be happy to stay as long as an employer pays for permit and couldn’t give a rats arse about getting PR or status…
Bunch of crap I paid one of your finest 8 years ago my money disappeared Said in 3 years I would have residency
I made big investment purchased property got involved and 9 years later I am treated like some piece of sh*t
I didn’t even want to be a resident it was just a benefit of my investment in the island
When I see the POS that took my money around town it turns my guts that others think he is a saint
Of course I complained all the way to the TOP what did I get nothing more than a stupid look
I am sure I will carry my bitterness all the way to the grave
You report it and see how fast your permit is revoked and you are kicked off island so the police no longer have a witness to the crime.
100% true 3 months after I met with the man now in mexico I was sent packing
must be a coincidence, My gut tells me the man that got my money was told I complained and he had me removed Hindsight is 20/20
For the amount of money it costs to obtain, (8 to 15 years worth of cost of living, duty, fees etc..) some might say that PR and eventual status, (for what it’s worth) is already a con.
The problem Cayman has, (and in this respect its the same problem that the UK has) is that the British Passport is the most converted travel document in the world. I have known many people over the years whose primary intention on receiving a British Passport, (Cayman Islands) or any European Union Passport, is to get to the UK, (and to a lesser extent, Europe).
In reality, the only people who should be able to claim status in Cayman are those already issued with an EU Passport, or those whose travel, employment and settlement plans are not restricted by UK visa regulations. All those seeking a British Passport from outside of these restrictions should apply directly to the UK from their country of origin. This wouldn’t stop those individuals from legitimately obtaining PR, (or even status) but each case would be scrutinised and restrictions imposed to stop onward travel with a British Passport, (if a passport needed to be issued at all). Individuals would have to travel on their dual nationality passport and be subjected to normal visa regulations instead.
I’m sure there will be those who’ll scream from their liberal Ivory towers that this would be the removal of freedoms and rights. Well, what about the right of UK citizens to control their borders and tax expenditure, why should a third party, (Cayman) have the right to allow access to the UK by a grant of status whilst UK citizens are denied automatic employment and settlement rights by Cayman?
This would stop the well trodden path of some who serve their time on Cayman, (especially, but not exclusively, from Jamaica) to obtain the requisite qualifications, or more sinisterly, those who attempt to gain false documentation for the sole purpose of moving on. I don’t suppose this is a huge problem just yet, but it does have enormous potential should fake documents become convincing enough.
Caymanians won’t welcome the fact that more people may want to reach the UK than stay here, but family ties, employment, housing and benefits are a huge draw for some and they will do whatever it takes to obtain them.
I don’t know who is responsible for this scam, but it takes a fair bit of knowledge to establish a convincing con, especially on this subject and on such a small island. I dare say it’s a joint enterprise, with no one nationality involved exclusively, but it needs to be stopped in its tracks before the UK decides that a one size fits all passport isn’t fit for purpose and withdraws traditional travelling rights.
This is not a scandal that needs exposure in the UK press, the British public are already weary of immigration abuse and the potential for terrorist action. A renewed travel, (and by consequence, employment and settlement rights) policy wouldn’t turn too many heads in London.
There has already been movement on UK Passport issuing here on Cayman recently, don’t let this become a complete retraction due to UK national security interests.
Sorry, should read ‘coverted’ not converted.
Should it be “coveted”
Quote, “Police added that officers from the Immigration Department or any other government officials should not approach members of the public to offer permanent residency or to solicit funds to pay for permanent residency.” Doesn’t that comment suggest RCIPS know exactly who has been doing this?
Not that any of this surprises me at all. A few years ago my employer at the time was getting 3-month TWPs issued in 3-4 days using an ‘expedited’ process that the CIO at the time publicly stated didn’t exist.
Surely not corruption in the Cayman Islands, and by civil servants as well, what a surprise?
Why would anyone pay to be a Caymanian anyway. What kind of people are we talking about?
Obviously to gain the benefits, dumdum.
What benefits? If you can afford 8 to 15 years of self support on these islands prior to obtaining PR and Status, then you can afford to remain subsequently. And when did the property ownership and bank account checks become irrelevant, surely if you pass that criteria then you have enough capital security and shouldn’t need benefits?
Most long term WP holders are here to work hard and secure a better life. And if they want to stay longer they purchase property, have families and contribute to society, some go on to open businesses and then employ from the local labour market.
This is the point where immigration and the economy are so inextricably entwined and vital for growth.
But that’s not what we’re talking about is it, so let’s talk about the elephant in the room?
We’re talking about those young, (and older) Caymanians who see a cute piece of Jamacian, Filipino or Latino booty, (male and female) and want some for themselves. Nothing wrong in that, God knows this island needs a fresh gene pool!
And let’s face it, it’s good enough for certain MLA’s so it must be good enough for you, right?
But once these individuals are married into the family and gain all the rights of a legal spouse, it’s open season on welfare. The main trouble with physical attraction is that there aren’t any guidelines on the character of potential partners, so all sorts of trouble can follow, especially once kids are involved.
Very often these individuals are from poverty stricken nations, some are poorly educated, (if at all) and lack basic life and societal skills. In turn, this will mean that their prospects for productive employment and a healthy future lifestyle are also greatly diminished, so putting strain on welfare resources. It then follows that the prospect of their children growing up with such disadvantage is greatly enhanced. And so it goes on.
Question: How many Caymanians do you know have a second booty call on the island?Answer: Far more than can be admitted publicly.
My advice, be more careful who you allow into your lives, your beds, your families and ultimately your country. Start thinking with your brain, not your libido
How true I know many men and women from other islands that their goal is to breed a local so they can stay and most of the time the local woman will do whatever it takes to keep the man around on island.
Immigration needs to understand this and stop those with kids from overseas from setting down roots in cayman.
It shouldn’t be SO difficult to become part of Cayman. Everywhere else, you take a test — which a person can study for — and you either pass or not. It’s really just that simple. Why do we complicate it with levels of citizenship?
Because we are fighting foreigners getting status tooth and nail!
Why let people get status, they will just drain our welfare system.
By definition, a foreigner is the only person entitled to a status grant.
So let’s get this right, you don’t have enough people to do the work available, hence 20k work permits, an unemployment total of around 1k, and you don’t want foreigners establishing themselves as productive Cayman citizens or work permit holders?
So exactly what is your solution and how do you plan to implement it?
Because if you don’t employ work permit holders or grant status and your local population doesn’t grow with a remarkable speed, then it stands to reason that you won’t have an economy to support a welfare system.
And whilst we’re at it, how many of these foreigners are already British citizens and how many are from 3rd world countries around the Caribbean? The point being that low wages and a glut of unskilled employment will always attract those who will do the jobs that you won’t. If you want near maximum employment and less foreigners, raise your education levels and aspiration, raise basic pay to an acceptable minimum level so that unskilled Caymanians have no excuse not to work and abolish the U.S. culture of compulsory gratuities, forcing employers to pay a decent wage and not rely on wage subsidies from the customer. And then you need to be a little bit more choosy who you allow access into the country, do you want intelligent, honest and productive immigrants or do you want baby mama’s for degenerate Caymanian teenagers, drug addicts, drunks and criminals?
No one country has the monopoly on either side of the coin, intellects and idiots come from all nationalities, but taking the money without regard to the consequences is a common Cayman trait and one you need to get control of.
I really wish people would stop spreading misinformation. Take a look at Bermuda and BVI’s rights of abode restrictions for example. Cayman’s rules are actually very relaxed yet people still complain. Come on folks, Cayman has the restrict access to its borders like every other country/ island nation in the world. The laws are in place to protect its citizens.
No way this could happen
treason to even suggest such a thing