How legal advisers coach migrants to fake gay asylum claims in UK – BBC finds

A BBC undercover investigation has uncovered allegations that some legal advisers and firms in the United Kingdom are helping migrants fabricate claims of being gay in order to secure asylum.

The investigation, published on Wednesday, found that migrants whose visas were nearing expiry were being coached to present false claims. This included being given cover stories and instructed on how to produce supporting evidence such as photographs, medical reports, and letters to back up allegations of persecution based on sexual orientation.

According to the findings, some advisers charged thousands of pounds to prepare the applications. One firm allegedly demanded up to £7,000 while assuring clients of a high chance of success.

An undercover BBC reporter was reportedly told to attend gay clubs and take photographs as evidence. In another instance, an adviser allegedly offered to arrange a fake same-sex relationship to support an application. One adviser was quoted as saying an applicant could later bring his wife to the UK and help her submit a separate claim by posing as a lesbian.

The UK Home Office has warned that anyone found exploiting the asylum system would face legal consequences, including removal from the country.

The BBC said the trend largely involved migrants whose work, study, or tourist visas had expired, rather than those arriving through irregular routes. Such applicants accounted for about 35 per cent of asylum claims in 2025.

Data cited in the investigation showed that Nigeria recorded 103 asylum claims based on sexual orientation in 2023.

An immigration lawyer described the practice as fraudulent and warned it could undermine genuine asylum claims. The investigation also linked some of the activities to advisers operating outside official regulation, with authorities said to be reviewing the matter.

The UK government said the asylum system included safeguards to assess claims and prevent abuse, adding that protection would only be granted to applicants who met the required criteria.