The British High Commission in Nigeria has issued a warning urging Nigerians to be cautious of scams related to UK work and study opportunities if they are planning to migrate to the United Kingdom.
The warning, which was made in a press statement, follows increasing reports by universities in the UK of fraudulent schemes targeting foreign students.
The UK memo lists the types of scams that have been found to target foreign students, saying, “Over the years, there have been reports of the sharing of worthless visas and work offers, especially for care homes that do not exist in the UK, have become more widespread in recent years. These schemes have left many individuals stranded in the UK, having invested all their savings in what turned out to be fake opportunities.”
A BBC investigation revealed that, in September 2024, a network was found selling bogus work visas and care worker jobs, leading to the exploitation of unsuspecting applicants.
Some victims, particularly women, are now trapped in the UK, unable to return home without losing the money they paid for these fraudulent offers.
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The British High Commission has specifically warned against offers that guarantee visa approval or claim to provide quicker, easier entry into the UK than official methods. They also cautioned against requests for money to prove financial support, as genuine visa processes do not ask for such payments.
The UK government urges applicants to verify job and study offers using official sources, including the government’s Register of Worker and Temporary Worker licensed sponsors, to ensure the legitimacy of potential employers and institutions. It is also important to avoid paying fees to agents claiming to work for UK authorities, as these are often scams.
For those considering UK opportunities, the British High Commission stressed the importance of researching official guidance pages to identify common fraud tactics and ensure their applications are legitimate.
