The BBC has unveiled a disturbing expose on the tactics of immigration scammers targeting foreign nationals seeking work in the UK care sector. The investigation, driven by undercover filming, showcases how rogue agents engage in illegal activities, such as selling fictitious job opportunities and fabricating payroll systems to deceive applicants.
Among those implicated is Dr. Kelvin Alaneme, a Nigerian physician who has previously worked for the NHS. Operating from his agency, CareerEdu, Alaneme reportedly recruits agents to facilitate these scams while misleading potential job seekers with promises of lucrative opportunities. Describing the market as a "launchpad for global opportunities," Alaneme suggested that recruiting care homes could render his partners millionaires, demonstrating the exploitative motives driving these operations.
The investigation revealed that incidents of immigration scams have surged since the 2022 expansion of a visa scheme initially designed for foreign medical professionals to include care workers. Candidates are mandated to secure a "Certificate of Sponsorship" (CoS) from licensed UK employers, which scammers exploit for personal gain. Dora-Olivia Vicol, CEO of the Work Rights Centre, branded the situation as a “national crisis,” indicating systemic risks in the sponsorship structure that enable predatory practices.
The BBC's reporters engaged with several agents, leading to an alarming discovery of manipulated sponsorship documents and non-existent job placements. In one case, a participant named Praise claimed to have paid over £10,000 for a job that ultimately did not materialize. Despite repeated assurances from Alaneme, he faced a year without work upon arriving in the UK.
The investigation further scrutinized another agent, Nana Akwasi Agyemang-Prempeh, whose operation allegedly involved issuing fraudulent CoS documents and shifting to construction jobs amidst tightening regulations in the care sector. Undercover discussions with him revealed a willingness to exploit this loophole for a significant monetary gain.
In response to these revelations, the Home Office acknowledged the ongoing issue and vowed to strengthen regulations against unscrupulous employers misusing the visa system. Officials have already revoked hundreds of sponsorship licenses in the care sector amid a broader crackdown on immigration fraud.
The BBC's investigation serves as a crucial wake-up call regarding the urgency of protecting vulnerable workers from predatory immigration practices, calling attention to a crisis affecting many seeking legitimate work opportunities in the UK.
