Legal advisers help migrants pose as gay to get asylum, undercover BBC investigation finds

BBC Unearths Underground Network of Legal Advisers Assisting Migrants in Pretending to Be Gay for Asylum

The BBC has uncovered a covert operation involving legal firms and consultants who charge substantial fees to aid migrants in fabricating their sexual orientation as gay, enabling them to secure asylum in the UK. Through an extensive undercover probe, the investigation exposed how individuals with expiring visas are supplied with falsified narratives and coached on generating fabricated proof, such as letters, images, and medical documents. These migrants then submit asylum applications, asserting they face life-threatening risks upon returning to Pakistan or Bangladesh.

In response to the findings, the Home Office stated:

“Anyone found attempting to manipulate the system will be held accountable, including through deportation from the UK.”

While the asylum process is designed to grant refuge to those unable to return home due to danger, the BBC’s inquiry reveals it is being systematically exploited by legal professionals extracting payments from migrants seeking to prolong their stay.

Meetings in London Highlight Discrepancy Between Claims and Reality

During an evening event at a community centre in Beckton, east London, over 175 people attended a gathering hosted by Worcester LGBT, a group promoting itself as a support network for LGBTQ+ asylum seekers. Despite the event’s focus, attendees openly admitted to our undercover reporter that the majority were not actually gay. One man, Fahar, remarked:

“Most of the people here are not gays.”

Another participant, Zeeshan, asserted:

“Nobody is a gay here. Not even 1% are gay. Not even 0.01% are gay.”

The undercover investigation began in late February when our reporter connected with Mazedul Hasan Shakil, a legal professional at Law & Justice Solicitors, a firm based in Birmingham and London. Shakil, who also leads Worcester LGBT, previously used the group’s website to advertise his services. During their initial conversation, he confirmed that asylum claims require proof of persecution, yet within hours, the reporter received a call in Urdu from Tanisa, an adviser linked to the group. She eagerly pushed the idea of applying for asylum on the basis of being gay, insisting:

“There is nobody who is real. The only way out is through the same method everyone uses.”

Later that evening, the reporter met Tanisa at her residence in Forest Gate, east London, where she outlined the asylum process. She emphasized that the reporter would need to memorize a fabricated story for their interview with immigration officials, stating:

“You are the one who must take the exam. I prepare everything for you, but the final decision rests with you.”

The session, lasting 45 minutes in Tanisa’s bedroom, revealed the complexity of the scheme, showcasing how meticulously advisers orchestrate the illusion of genuine asylum cases.

Over 35% of asylum applications in recent years stem from individuals with expired visas, a trend that has seen total claims surpass 100,000 by 2025. This highlights the growing reliance on legal intermediaries to navigate the system, often at significant cost to those seeking refuge. The BBC’s findings underscore a critical gap between the intended purpose of asylum and its current exploitation by a network of advisers.