The government of the United Kingdom (UK) has initiated an urgent investigation into allegations that migrants are purchasing fictitious employment records to obtain a skilled worker visa.
The fake employment records allow migrants to bypass immigration laws and remain in the UK illegally.
According to the investigation, which involved consultations with 26 different agents, there are at least 250 documented instances of fake roles being used to anchor visa applications.
These middlemen reportedly provided fraudulent CVs, bank statements, and payroll records to create the illusion of legitimate employment. In some cases, migrants were charged as much as £13,000 to secure a certificate of sponsorship for jobs that did not exist.
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The probe follows an exposé by The Times, which uncovered a sophisticated network of visa agents charging exorbitant fees to fabricate the documentation required for the Skilled Worker visa sponsorship scheme.
The Skilled Worker visa route was established in 2020 under Boris Johnson’s administration. It was designed to address critical labour shortages in sectors such as social care, healthcare support, and construction.
However, the system is now under scrutiny for its perceived vulnerabilities to exploitation by the black market.
A UK government spokesperson condemned the findings, stating: “We are investigating this illegal activity and it will not be tolerated. We will do whatever it takes to secure our borders and cut the levels of migration.”
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The spokesperson further noted that enforcement has been ramped up. He noted, “Skilled worker refusal rates have increased substantially under this government, and we’ve seen over 100,000 fewer visa applications in 2025”.
“Migration is down two-thirds; skilled worker sponsor revocations are also at record levels, and we have doubled the cooling-off period for repeat offenders.”
Political fallout
A Reform UK spokesperson described the situation as a “complete breakdown” of enforcement, adding: “A lax sponsor licence system has enabled fraudulent visas, illegal working, and a thriving black market where agents pocket tens of thousands while the Home Office looks the other way.”
Shifting migration statistics
The controversy comes amid a significant downturn in legal migration figures for 2025, largely attributed to stricter policy changes introduced last summer. The key shifts include:
Skilled worker visa applications fell by 36 percent, dropping from 132,700 in 2024 to 85,500 in 2025.
Health and care visas: Total applications (including dependants) plummeted by 51 percent, from 123,300 to 61,000.
Banning of overseas recruitment and increase in salary threshold: The decline follows the banning of overseas recruitment for care workers and an increase in the minimum salary threshold from £38,700 to £41,700.
While the Home Office maintains that these figures prove their strategy is working, critics argue that the prevalence of fraud suggests the official numbers may not reflect the full reality of those residing in the UK through illegal means.
There have been several high-profile cases involving Nigerian nationals and agencies operating fraudulent “cash-for-jobs” schemes. These scams often target Nigerians, exploiting their desire for a better life in the UK.
Fraudulent visa activities involving Nigerians
Below are specific instances and profiles of fraudulent activity reported between 2023 and 2026:
Kelvin Alaneme and CareerEdu Case (March 2025)
A major undercover investigation by the BBC exposed Dr Kelvin Alaneme, a Nigerian NHS doctor based in Essex, who founded the recruitment firm CareerEdu.
Alaneme was filmed offering to sell care home vacancies to candidates in Nigeria for thousands of pounds, an act that is illegal under UK recruitment law.
One victim reported paying £10,000 for a job at a care company called Efficiency for Care. Upon arrival in the UK, he discovered the job did not exist.
While the company Efficiency for Care officially employed roughly 15 people, records showed it had issued 1,234 Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) in a single year, suggesting a massive “visa mill” operation.
The Birmingham “Commission” Scam (May 2025)
In Birmingham, a Nigerian care worker became a middleman in a tragic fraud case.
The care worker acted as an agent, introducing several people to “visa sponsors” and taking a commission.
The Certificates of Sponsorship never materialised. It was later revealed the funds had been funnelled to a scam entity called Waikan Consulting, which used non-existent office addresses.
The woman was hospitalised twice after attempting to take her own life due to the guilt and financial ruin of those she had introduced to the scam.
Zidaan consultancy & Care UK impersonation (December 2023)
An agency named Zidaan Consultancy targeted Nigerian applicants by arranging fake video interviews with individuals pretending to represent Care UK (one of Britain’s largest providers).
The victims were charged £4,500 for a “five-year sponsorship.” Care UK has since issued public warnings stating they never charge fees for job applications.
“Ghost” companies and post office box agencies
The Home Office has revoked over 470 licences from care companies, many of which were found to be “ghost” entities with Nigerian links or targeting West African migrants.
In one instance, a company was granted a licence and issued 275 visas for a care home that did not physically exist.
The “Japa” black market: Agents in Lagos and Abuja have been found advertising “guaranteed” UK visas on social media, charging between £5,000 and £13,000. These agents often provide fake payroll records to help migrants “prove” they are working when they are actually unemployed or working illegally in other sectors.
Warning signs of care job fraud
The UK Government and VFS Global have highlighted these “red flags”:
Recruiters who charge fees: It is illegal for a UK recruitment agency to charge a candidate a fee for finding them work.
Gmail/Hotmail addresses: Legitimate companies use official corporate email domains.
Lack of Inspection: Fake agencies often use PO boxes or virtual offices and have no record of inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
