British Government Probes Reports Of Asylum Seekers Pretending To Be Gay To Stay In UK

The United Kingdom government has launched a probe into alarming revelations that a network of immigration advisers and law firms is allegedly helping migrants fabricate claims of being gay in order to secure asylum and remain in the country.

The investigation followed an explosive undercover investigation by the BBC News.

The investigation uncovered what officials described as a “shadow industry” in which migrants, particularly those whose student, work, or tourist visas are about to expire, are coached to invent false identities, rehearse fabricated narratives, and produce fake supporting evidence to strengthen asylum claims based on sexual orientation.

According to the findings, these individuals are guided to claim they would face persecution if returned to countries such as Pakistan or Bangladesh, where same-sex relationships remain criminalised.

Reacting to the revelations, the UK Home Office issued a stern warning, stating, “Anyone found trying to exploit the system will face the full force of the law, including removal from the UK.”

Under UK asylum rules, individuals can seek protection if they face serious danger in their home countries, including persecution due to sexual orientation.

However, the BBC investigation noted that this provision is being systematically abused by some migrants in collaboration with unscrupulous advisers.

Undercover reporters posing as international students from Pakistan and Bangladesh, whose visas were nearing expiration, approached multiple immigration advisers. What they discovered was a disturbing pattern of alleged deception.

Some advisers reportedly charged thousands of pounds, up to £7,000, to prepare and submit fabricated asylum claims.

These services allegedly included coaching applicants on how to answer questions during Home Office interviews, staging photographs at LGBTQ events, and even arranging fake witnesses to claim intimate relationships with applicants.

In one instance, a legal adviser allegedly assured an undercover reporter that the chances of refusal by the Home Office were “very low,” provided the fabricated story was well-prepared.

The investigation revealed that applicants were encouraged to gather false medical and social evidence to support their claims.

This included visiting doctors and pretending to suffer from depression linked to their alleged sexuality, with some even reportedly lying about being HIV positive to obtain medical documentation.

Applicants were also advised to attend LGBTQ events and clubs solely for the purpose of taking photographs that could later be submitted as evidence.

In some cases, advisers allegedly offered to arrange individuals who would pose as partners and provide written statements claiming to have had sexual relationships with the applicants.

One adviser was quoted as saying, “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.”

A significant portion of the investigation centred on meetings with an immigration adviser identified as Tanisa Khan, who allegedly offered detailed guidance on how to fabricate an asylum claim.

During a meeting in East London, she reportedly told an undercover reporter, “At the moment, there is only one route from where you can get a visa, and it is open.

“It is the asylum visa… it is on human rights, and it is called gay case or same sex. There is no hope for any other visa.”

She allegedly explained that applicants must memorise a convincing personal story and undergo extensive preparation for Home Office interviews.

“You are the one who has to go and take the exam. I am here to prepare everything for you, but ultimately it is you who has to go there,” she said.

Tanisa also allegedly outlined a package of fabricated evidence, including photographs at clubs, letters from organisations, and written statements from individuals claiming to have had intimate relationships with the applicant.

Her services reportedly cost £2,500, with additional charges if the case proceeded to appeal.

In a particularly controversial claim, she allegedly suggested that once asylum was granted, the applicant could bring his wife to the UK and “we can make her a lesbian” to secure her own asylum status.

The investigation also highlighted alleged connections between advisers and community organisations.

One such group, Worcester LGBT, was described as hosting meetings attended by hundreds of individuals, many of whom reportedly admitted to being part of fraudulent asylum claims.

Attendees at one meeting were quoted as saying that “most of the people here are not gay,” with another claiming, “Nobody is gay here. Not even 1% are gay.”

The organisation’s founder, Mazedul Hasan Shakil, denied any wrongdoing, stating that the group does not support fabricated claims and does not verify individuals’ sexual orientation.

Similarly, Law & Justice Solicitors denied any professional connection with Tanisa and said it was investigating potential unauthorised use of its office.

Another firm, Connaught Law, confirmed it had suspended a senior adviser implicated in the investigation and reported the matter to regulators.

Immigration experts say the alleged practices could undermine the credibility of genuine asylum seekers, particularly those fleeing real persecution based on their sexual orientation.

Ana Gonzalez, an immigration lawyer with three decades of experience, described the alleged activities as clear fraud.

“People like that are just really making things harder for the legitimate asylum seekers and refugees out there,” she said.

She noted that claims based on sexual orientation are inherently difficult to verify, making them particularly vulnerable to exploitation.

“When it comes to the queer community, it is not [easily verifiable]. It is just based on contact and on how you actually present and how convincing you can be,” she explained.

The revelations have triggered strong reactions across the UK political spectrum, with lawmakers demanding urgent action.

Labour MP Jo White called for a crackdown on those involved, urging law enforcement agencies to investigate.

“It is absolutely essential that the government cracks down on them,” she said, adding that the evidence should be handed to the police.

Conservative politician Chris Philp described the situation as evidence of systemic failure, stating that “the whole system is rotten” and calling for a complete overhaul of asylum procedures.

Meanwhile, Imran Hussain of the Refugee Council condemned the exploitation of vulnerable migrants.

“It is deplorable that unscrupulous advisers are exploiting desperate and vulnerable people for profit,” he said, while warning against using the scandal to discredit genuine asylum seekers.

Rising Asylum Claims Raise Concerns

Official data indicates a sharp rise in asylum claims in the UK, with more than 100,000 applications recorded in 2025.

A significant proportion, around 35%, comes from individuals who originally entered the country legally on visas but later sought asylum.

Statistics also show that Pakistani nationals account for a disproportionately high number of claims based on sexual orientation, raising further concerns about potential abuse of the system.

Despite these concerns, nearly two-thirds of such claims were approved at the initial stage in 2023, highlighting the difficulty authorities face in distinguishing genuine cases from fraudulent ones.

The investigation also included testimony from a former asylum applicant identified as Ali, who admitted he was advised to fabricate a claim of being gay.

He said he was instructed to visit a doctor and pretend to be depressed, obtain medication as evidence, and attend LGBTQ events to gather photographic proof.

“I didn’t actually take the pills, but she insisted that I obtain the medication so that we could submit proof,” he said.

After years of legal battles and mounting costs exceeding £10,000, his application ultimately failed, forcing him to return to Pakistan.

The Home Office reiterated that making fraudulent asylum claims is a criminal offence punishable by imprisonment and deportation.

“Any attempt to misuse protections designed for people fleeing genuine persecution because of their sexuality is deplorable,” a spokesperson said.

“The asylum system is built on robust safeguards to ensure every claim is rigorously and fairly assessed.”

Recent policy changes introduced by Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood now limit asylum seekers to temporary protection, with cases subject to periodic review.

However, the investigation suggests that some advisers remain confident that fabricated claims can still succeed under the revised system.

As the probe continues, the UK authorities face mounting pressure to dismantle the alleged network of fraudulent advisers while ensuring that genuine victims of persecution are not denied protection.(SaharaReporters)