A new undercover investigation by the BBC has uncovered what officials say is a growing scheme in the UK where migrants are being coached to falsely claim they are gay in order to secure asylum. The sham operation, involving advisers and lawyers, allegedly charges thousands of pounds to build fabricated cases, complete with staged evidence and rehearsed stories of being gay.
The findings show how those whose visas are expiring are being guided through the asylum process using false claims of persecution tied to sexual orientation. It’s being pitched as a reliable pathway to stay in the country, even for those with no prior asylum grounds.
According to the report, migrants—often from Pakistan and Bangladesh—are instructed to gather fake supporting materials, including photographs, letters, and medical records, before submitting asylum claims. Many of these applicants entered the UK legally on student or work visas and later sought to remain after those visas expired.
Home Office data shows this group now accounts for 35 percent of asylum claims, with total applications surpassing 100,000 in 2025. The UK asylum system allows protection for individuals who face persecution in their home countries, including for sexual orientation. In one instance documented by undercover reporters, an adviser identified as Tanisa told a reporter posing as a migrant: "Listen to me. There is nobody who is real. There is only one way out in order to live here now and that is the very method everyone is adopting."
She described a process in which applicants memorize fabricated personal histories and attend LGBT events to create visual evidence. "The approach we will take is this: I will fully prepare you for the interview by compiling a comprehensive package for you, including photographs of you at clubs, various other pieces of supporting evidence, an organisational letter, and additional letters of support, so that you are completely ready when I send you in."
The report also found that some applicants sought medical documentation by falsely claiming depression or serious illness. One adviser was recorded suggesting that an individual could claim to be HIV positive to strengthen their case.
Another legal adviser, Aqeel Abbasi of Connaught Law, allegedly offered assistance in building a false claim for £7,000 and told the reporter that the chance of refusal was "very low." He said applicants would need to attend LGBT venues and produce supporting evidence, adding: "Evidence must be provided and submitted from their societies and clubs."
At a separate community event organized by Worcester LGBT, attendees told undercover reporters that a huge number of participants were not genuinely gay. One attendee said, "Most of the people here are not gays," while another added, "Nobody is a gay here. Not even 1% are gay. Not even 0.01% are gay."
Immigration lawyer Ana Gonzalez, reviewing the footage, said the conduct described amounted to fraud. "People like that [are] just really making things harder for the legitimate asylum seekers and refugees out there," she said.
Those accused have denied wrongdoing. Tanisa said her comments were misunderstood and denied offering to fabricate claims. Law & Justice Solicitors said she had no formal connection to the firm and that it was investigating possible unauthorized access to its office. Connaught Law said Abbasi had been suspended pending an internal review and that the matter had been referred to regulators.
Officials and advocacy groups have reacted strongly. Labour MP Jo White called for a crackdown, saying, "It is absolutely essential that the government cracks down on them." Conservative MP Chris Philp said the findings "expose the scam at the heart of many asylum claims."
Reform UK also weighed in, with home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf stating: "This is an outrageous scandal that must be urgently investigated. Any lawyer found to be aiding false asylum claims should face prosecution."
He added: "The Tories created a broken asylum system, riddled with loopholes, that has allowed millions to enter the country. Those loopholes are being exploited through false claims, driven by politically motivated lawyers. Reform UK would end this farce. We would leave the ECHR, overhaul the asylum system, and ensure those exploiting it face the full force of the law."
The findings show how those whose visas are expiring are being guided through the asylum process using false claims of persecution tied to sexual orientation. It’s being pitched as a reliable pathway to stay in the country, even for those with no prior asylum grounds.
According to the report, migrants—often from Pakistan and Bangladesh—are instructed to gather fake supporting materials, including photographs, letters, and medical records, before submitting asylum claims. Many of these applicants entered the UK legally on student or work visas and later sought to remain after those visas expired.
Home Office data shows this group now accounts for 35 percent of asylum claims, with total applications surpassing 100,000 in 2025. The UK asylum system allows protection for individuals who face persecution in their home countries, including for sexual orientation. In one instance documented by undercover reporters, an adviser identified as Tanisa told a reporter posing as a migrant: "Listen to me. There is nobody who is real. There is only one way out in order to live here now and that is the very method everyone is adopting."
She described a process in which applicants memorize fabricated personal histories and attend LGBT events to create visual evidence. "The approach we will take is this: I will fully prepare you for the interview by compiling a comprehensive package for you, including photographs of you at clubs, various other pieces of supporting evidence, an organisational letter, and additional letters of support, so that you are completely ready when I send you in."
The report also found that some applicants sought medical documentation by falsely claiming depression or serious illness. One adviser was recorded suggesting that an individual could claim to be HIV positive to strengthen their case.
Another legal adviser, Aqeel Abbasi of Connaught Law, allegedly offered assistance in building a false claim for £7,000 and told the reporter that the chance of refusal was "very low." He said applicants would need to attend LGBT venues and produce supporting evidence, adding: "Evidence must be provided and submitted from their societies and clubs."
At a separate community event organized by Worcester LGBT, attendees told undercover reporters that a huge number of participants were not genuinely gay. One attendee said, "Most of the people here are not gays," while another added, "Nobody is a gay here. Not even 1% are gay. Not even 0.01% are gay."
Immigration lawyer Ana Gonzalez, reviewing the footage, said the conduct described amounted to fraud. "People like that [are] just really making things harder for the legitimate asylum seekers and refugees out there," she said.
Those accused have denied wrongdoing. Tanisa said her comments were misunderstood and denied offering to fabricate claims. Law & Justice Solicitors said she had no formal connection to the firm and that it was investigating possible unauthorized access to its office. Connaught Law said Abbasi had been suspended pending an internal review and that the matter had been referred to regulators.
Officials and advocacy groups have reacted strongly. Labour MP Jo White called for a crackdown, saying, "It is absolutely essential that the government cracks down on them." Conservative MP Chris Philp said the findings "expose the scam at the heart of many asylum claims."
Reform UK also weighed in, with home affairs spokesman Zia Yusuf stating: "This is an outrageous scandal that must be urgently investigated. Any lawyer found to be aiding false asylum claims should face prosecution."
He added: "The Tories created a broken asylum system, riddled with loopholes, that has allowed millions to enter the country. Those loopholes are being exploited through false claims, driven by politically motivated lawyers. Reform UK would end this farce. We would leave the ECHR, overhaul the asylum system, and ensure those exploiting it face the full force of the law."
