In a revealing undercover investigation, the BBC has brought to light the alarming practices of recruitment agents scamming foreign nationals looking for work in the UK care sector. Among those exposed is Dr. Kelvin Alaneme, a Nigerian doctor and head of the agency CareerEdu, who has been recorded discussing how he illegally sells care job placements to applicants from overseas.
The BBC's findings raise serious concerns about the integrity of the UK's immigration system. With reports of scams rising sharply since the government's 2022 expansion of visa schemes for foreign medical professionals to include care workers, the investigation highlights the ease with which these fraudulent agents bypass regulations and continue to profit.
Among several alarming tactics revealed, the secret footage shows that agents are engaging in illegal job sales, creating fake payroll systems, and shifting their schemes to less regulated sectors like construction, all the while exploiting the documentation requirements for sponsored visas.
Dora-Olivia Vicol, CEO of the Work Rights Centre, characterized the situation as a "national crisis," drawing attention to the risks embedded in the sponsorship system where employers hold substantial power over vulnerable migrants.
In the footage, Dr. Alaneme actively entices a BBC undercover journalist to assist him in recruiting for care homes by offering lucrative monetary rewards. He admitted to paying substantial sums for job vacancies that were claimed to be fabrications, illustrating the inherent risks faced by migrants who invest everything they have in hopes of securing employment.
Another agent, Nana Akwasi Agyemang-Prempeh, was also caught on camera discussing the shifting focus of scams as tighter restrictions are placed on the care sector. He had begun offering job sponsorships in construction while selling fake Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS), which numerous victims reported paying for under the false pretense of valid job opportunities.
As the BBC's investigation unfolds, victims recount harrowing tales of financial loss and desperation, highlighting the rampant exploitation within the immigration system. Many, having entrusted their hopes and savings to unscrupulous agents, found themselves without jobs upon arrival in the UK.
Following the revelations, the Home Office has acknowledged the need for immediate action against employers abusing the immigration system, but experts argue that substantial reforms are necessary to protect foreign workers from predatory practices. The government has since announced new measures aimed at cracking down on rogue employers, ensuring that protection for the most vulnerable is prioritized, but the extent of the problem remains glaringly evident.
