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A secret network offers fabricated stories and false evidence in exchange for high payments, while authorities warn of legal action against abuses...
A secret industry of law firms and advisers is charging migrants thousands of pounds to help them pretend to be gay in order to stay in the UK, a BBC investigation has revealed.
The first part of the investigation reveals how migrants whose visas are about to expire are given fabricated stories and instructions to provide fabricated evidence, including supporting letters, photographs and medical reports. They then apply for asylum claiming they are gay and that they risk their lives if they return to countries such as Pakistan or Bangladesh.
In response to the findings, the British Home Office stated that "anyone who attempts to abuse the system will face the full force of the law, including deportation from the United Kingdom."
Britain's asylum process offers protection to people who cannot return to their home country because of danger, for example in countries where homosexuality is illegal. But a BBC investigation shows that the process is being systematically exploited by advisers who profit financially from migrants who want to stay in the country.
These are often people already in the UK on expired study, work or tourist visas, rather than those who entered illegally. This category now accounts for 35% of all asylum applications, which are expected to exceed 100,000 in 2025.
After collecting initial evidence, the undercover journalists posed as students from Pakistan and Bangladesh to test the advisors' willingness to assist with false applications.
They discovered that:
A law firm was charging up to £7,000 for a fabricated application and promising a very low chance of rejection.
Applicants were instructed to visit doctors claiming depression or even HIV to provide medical evidence.
A consultant claimed to have over 17 years of experience in creating false claims
A reporter was informed that he could bring his wife along and then present her as a lesbian.
Another lawyer offered help for £1,500 and asked for up to an additional £3,000 for creating evidence.
"Nobody here is gay"
At a community center in east London, more than 175 people attended an event organized by a group that claims to support LGBT asylum seekers.
However, some participants admitted to the undercover journalist that most were not actually homosexual.
“Most people here are not gay,” said one of them, while another added: “No one is gay here.”
“A complete package”
A counselor, identified as Tanisa, offered the journalist a "complete package" for preparing the application.
She explained that she would prepare:
detailed stories about interviews
photography in LGBT clubs
supporting letter
evidence of fabricated relationships
The service cost 2,500 pounds.
She emphasized that "the main thing is what you say" and that there is no way to verify whether someone is homosexual.
Reactions and legal aspects
Legal experts call this practice fraud. Immigration lawyer Ana Gonzalez said such actions "make the situation more difficult for genuine asylum seekers."
British authorities emphasize that fraud in asylum applications is a criminal offense and can lead to imprisonment and deportation.
The scale of the phenomenon
The data shows that:
In 2023, 3,430 asylum cases were reviewed on the basis of sexual orientation
About 42% of them were from Pakistan.
Nearly two-thirds of applications were accepted at the initial stage
The case of a migrant
A Pakistani man, identified only as Ali, said he was advised by a lawyer to make up the story that he was gay. He was instructed to fake depression and take medication to create evidence.
After a lengthy process and costs of over £10,000, his application failed and he returned to Pakistan after eight years in Britain.
Political reactions
Politicians from different parties called for investigations and punishments:
Some called for police intervention.
Others proposed profound changes to the asylum system.
Refugee organizations warned that abuses should not undermine legitimate cases
The Ministry of Interior emphasized that the system includes strict controls and that only cases that meet the criteria benefit from protection.
In March, the British government announced new changes to immigration rules, limiting asylum seekers' protection to temporary forms with periodic review of cases. /Adapted from BBC /
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