A recent BBC undercover investigation has disclosed the manipulation tactics employed by immigration agents in the UK, leading to distress for numerous foreign nationals seeking work in the care industry. The expose highlights how rogue agents, including a Nigerian doctor, facilitate the sale of fake jobs, creating a predatory market in the pursuit of profit despite existing regulations.
Undercover Investigation Uncovers UK Immigration Scam Tactics
Undercover Investigation Uncovers UK Immigration Scam Tactics
Secretly recorded footage reveals how immigration scammers exploit vulnerable foreign workers in the UK's care sector.
In a shocking revelation, a BBC undercover investigation has exposed the brazen tactics of immigration scammers in the UK, particularly in the care sector, where foreign nationals looking for work are being exploited. The investigation features the unsettling conduct of Dr. Kelvin Alaneme, a Nigerian doctor with past NHS experience, who has been linked to immigration fraud.
The BBC’s secret filming shows Alaneme allegedly selling non-existent jobs in UK care companies to desperate candidates. The Home Office is aware of the vulnerabilities in the immigration system, particularly concerning the sponsorship process for foreign workers, which has been reportedly abused since the introduction of a broader visa scheme in 2022 designed for medical professionals and then extended to care workers.
The scheme necessitates candidates to obtain a "Certificate of Sponsorship" (CoS) from a UK employer sanctioned by the Home Office, creating opportunities for corrupt agents to profit while misleading hopeful applicants. Dora-Olivia Vicol, CEO of the Work Rights Centre, commented on the alarming rise of exploitation, calling it a "national crisis."
Undercover journalists approached Alaneme's firm, CareerEdu, and discovered his blatant recruiting strategy: promising lucrative opportunities to potential agents while stating he could pay significant amounts for every care home vacancy they could procure. He then divulged that he would charge candidates back in Nigeria, in contravention of UK law that mandates job-seekers should not incur costs.
The BBC's investigation identified numerous alleged victims, including one individual, Praise, who paid over £10,000 for a job that turned out to be non-existent. Many victims face immense uncertainty upon arriving in the UK, with some left stranded without support.
Additionally, the investigation revealed that another recruitment agent, Nana Akwasi Agyemang-Prempeh, had shifted from care to construction roles under the ongoing migration rule tightening. He purportedly sold fake CoS, ensuring precious recruitment documents be less than authentic while attempting to navigate shifting market demands.
The Home Office has since warned against employers abusing the visa system, committing to strict measures against such practices. Past reports have previously highlighted similar scams affecting workers from regions like Kerala and international students in the UK. Following the underhanded dealings, the government has declared a crackdown on such fraudulent activities, demanding more accountability from care providers and encouraging the recruitment of international workers who are already present in the UK.
Despite the voices of discontent from victims, those accused of perpetuating the scams, like Alaneme, argue their operations are legitimate, highlighting the urgent need for an overhaul of a system perceived as increasingly corrupt.
