30 Suspects Named as Nigerians Protest Visa Scam in UK

Nigerians residing in the United Kingdom have recently staged a protest against the escalating issue of Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) scams targeting immigrants. On Thursday, a group of UK-based Nigerians gathered on Marsham Street in London, directly in front of the UK Home Office, to voice their concerns.

Leading the demonstration was Christiana Olabisi, also known as Ferrari, who used a megaphone to urge victims to come forward. She emphasized the importance of speaking out without fear of deportation, stating, “No more scamming. Enough is enough. Whether you like it or not, all of you are going to get reported.”

The protesters displayed a banner listing 30 individuals alleged to be involved in these fraudulent activities, complete with their photographs. The banner, titled “Say No To UK CoS Scam,” aimed to publicly identify those accused of exploiting newcomers by charging exorbitant fees for Certificates of Sponsorship.

The Certificate of Sponsorship is a UK government initiative that allows licensed organizations to hire overseas workers. While obtaining a CoS is intended to be free, many desperate foreign workers have fallen victim to fraudulent agents and companies demanding significant sums in exchange for sponsorship. Some immigrants have reported paying between £10,000 to £20,000, only to arrive in the UK and find no employment opportunities, leaving them reliant on food banks and struggling with debt.

During the protest, numerous individuals shared their harrowing experiences. One caller recounted how a friend was defrauded of £15,000, while another victim reported paying £12,000 to a company that subsequently ceased all communication. Content creator Musa Eunice revealed that her cousin lost £20,000 to such a scam.

In response to the demonstration, an official from the Home Office addressed the protesters, advising them to submit a formal letter outlining their grievances for further action.

One of the individuals named in the protest, Mojisola, has denied the allegations and stated that she has initiated legal proceedings to clear her name. She emphasized that the claims made against her are entirely false and that the matter is now before the courts.

The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) has acknowledged the severity of visa scams and advised victims to seek legal redress. Abdur-Rahman Balogun, NiDCOM’s spokesperson, urged protesters to remain law-abiding and not to take the law into their own hands while expressing their grievances.

As of now, the Home Office has not issued an official response regarding the protest.