A NAIL bar owner has been convicted of employing an illegal immigrant.

My Duien Tran, aged 46, from Rotherhithe, was running Classique Nails in Bromley High Street when a raid last February by police, the UK Border Agency and council officers revealed she was employing a man who was an illegal immigrant.

Further inquiries found the nail bar was not licensed and the illegal employee did not have qualifications to provide nail care treatment.

Officers also searched an address in Ravensbourne Park Crescent, Catford, and seized what police describe as a “substantial” sum of money.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Ian Smith from Bromley police said: "This was part of an intelligence-led operation to target those making money by the use of illegal labour.

“The effects of these crimes have a significant impact on both public health and the economy. So far more than £18,000 has been seized by the police and forfeited by the courts from individuals concerned in this operation.”

He added police have requested another £2,000 seized from Tran should be forfeited under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

Tran denied an offence of employing an illegal immigrant but was found guilty after a trial at Bromley Magistrates' Court.

She was fined £1,500 and ordered to pay £300 costs.

UK Border Agency area director Hugh Ind said: “The use of illegal workers presents a serious risk to legitimate competition and is unfair on honest employers.

“The UK Border Agency works with employers so they understand the rules, but they have a responsibility to carry out the right checks before they employ migrant workers.

“If they don’t, they could end up potentially having to pay huge fines or face imprisonment.”