A recent BBC investigation has uncovered a widespread immigration scam affecting foreign nationals, particularly Nigerians, applying for care jobs in the UK.

The report reveals how rogue recruitment agents exploit desperate job seekers by illegally selling Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS), fabricating payroll schemes, and shifting their fraudulent activities into other sectors like construction and IT.

How the Scam Works

Foreign job seekers must obtain a CoS from a licensed UK employer to apply for a Health and Care Worker visa.

However, the system has been abused by middlemen who charge illegal fees for sponsorship documents, sometimes for non-existent jobs.

The BBC went undercover to expose one of these fraudulent agents, Dr Kelvin #Alaneme , a Nigerian doctor running a UK-based agency called #CareerEdu . He was filmed discussing how he sells care home vacancies to candidates in Nigeria for thousands of pounds, despite knowing this practice is illegal.

Victims, like a Nigerian man named Praise, paid over £10,000 for a care job that did not exist. Upon arrival in the UK, he realised he had been scammed and was left stranded.

Similarly, another agent, Nana Akwasi Agyemang-Prempeh, was caught selling fake CoS documents for care and construction jobs, charging up to £42,000 for three sponsorships. His sponsorship licence has since been revoked by the UK Home Office.

Government Crackdown on Visa Abuse

Due to the rising number of immigration scams, the UK government has introduced stricter measures:
• April 2025: Care providers in England must prioritise international care workers already in the UK over recruiting from overseas.
• More than 470 sponsorship licences revoked between July 2022 and December 2024, affecting over 39,000 medical and care professionals.
• Tougher penalties against employers who exploit foreign workers.

What This Means for Nigerian Job Seekers

With stricter regulations, it is now more important than ever for Nigerians seeking UK job opportunities to verify job offers, sponsorships, and recruitment agencies. Here are some key tips to avoid scams:
1. Never pay for a CoS – It is illegal for employers to charge workers for sponsorships.
2. Verify the employer – Check if the company is on the UK government’s list of approved sponsors.
3. Confirm job existence – Speak directly with the employer before making any financial commitment.
4. Beware of unrealistic offers – If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

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