An investigation by the BBC has found that a network of scam artists around the world have bilked foreign students in the UK out of thousands of pounds.
The students thought they were buying valid visas that would let them get jobs in Great Britain, but the documents—sometimes up to £17,000 in price—were worthless. The students only discovered this when they submitted their applications to the Home Office, which rejected them. In truth, the application for a work visa in the UK is free; there is no need to go on the black or gray market to find a way in.
During their investigation the network talked to 17 people who say they’re out thousands for trying to get work visas. Three of them were female students in their 20s, and those three collectively have shelled out £38,000 to various alleged “agents” who promised them working papers. The scam started in their home country of India, the women said, where they were promised that they’d make a lot of money and have a higher standard of living in England.
Now they’re out all their money, and they say they’re trapped by poverty and the shame that prevents them from telling relatives back home what happened to them. One woman said that if she went home, her family would know their entire collective savings “would’ve been wasted.”
The BBC said one of the scammers they discovered was a man named Tamoor Raza, whom the network claims sold 141 sets of fake visas and pocketed £1.2 million. Raza maintains his innocence and has apparently paid back all the fees to the students he deceived. It is not clear whether authorities will take any legal action.
Many of the foreign students hope to get a place in the UK’s growing “care sector,” which includes homes for the elderly and similar facilities. The field has been severely lacking staff; in 2022 there were more than 165,000 positions unfilled.
Government efforts to fill this gap may have contributed to the problem. The Home Office decided to allow international recruitment, and applications began pouring in from Nigeria, the Philippines, and India. Where there are customers, though, there are con artists. Officials say successful applicants must have a sponsor such as a registered care home or service agency, and they do not have to pay for this sponsorship.
The Prime Minister’s office and the Home Office say they know about the problem and are watching it closely.
