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Home Office Offered £1,500 ‘Voluntary Return’ to Dundee Trafficking Ringleader While He Awaited Rape Trial

Officials say removal was paused for court proceedings, with his status now revoked pending consideration of deportation after prison.

Overview

  • Mircea Marian Cumpanasoiu, 38, led a Dundee network that groomed, drugged and exploited vulnerable women and received a 24-year extended sentence, including 20 years in custody and four on licence.
  • Sky News reporting cited in multiple outlets says Home Office staff gave him a voluntary return form offering £1,500 in August 2024 while he was on remand at HMP Perth awaiting trial for 10 rapes.
  • The Home Office did not remove him at that time because of the pending court case, according to the reports.
  • His EU Settlement Scheme status, due to expire during proceedings, was automatically renewed and has since been revoked, with a Home Office spokesman stating a deportation order would remove the right to remain.
  • Four associates — Christian Urlateanu, Alexandra Bugonea, Remus Stan and Cataline Dobre — were also convicted of serious sexual offences following the Police Scotland investigation.