Bogus websites, staged protests and pretend atheists: Inside the fake asylum industry
Bogus websites, staged protests and pretend atheists: Inside the fake asylum industry
As part of an ongoing investigation, a reporter posing as a Bangladeshi student discovered a covert operation designed to manipulate the UK’s asylum process. The scheme involved crafting elaborate falsehoods, from fabricated online personas to fake evidence, to support claims of persecution. This practice highlights a growing trend where migrants and their advisers exploit the system by presenting convincing but untrue narratives.
During a session at an office near the Mile End Road in east London, the reporter was taught how to navigate the asylum application process. Zahid Hasan Akhand, claiming to be a barrister, outlined three possible grounds for claiming asylum: sexual orientation, religious beliefs, or political activism. He emphasized the need for tailored evidence depending on the chosen route.
Creating False Evidence
For the atheist path, Akhand suggested generating social media content that mocks Islam or the Prophet Muhammad. “Religious clerics will start making comments threatening to kill you. Then you will see that your evidence has been created,” he explained. To bolster claims, the reporter would be linked to online publications, where paid contributions could lend credibility to their story.
Similarly, the gay claim required fabricated evidence such as club memberships and a fake partner. “You will be given a partner, and that partner will provide a letter saying that ‘yes, he was my partner’,” Akhand said. He also noted that attending events for former Muslims would help, as live video content was deemed more impactful than written posts.
Cost and Strategy
Akhand charged £1,500 for legal guidance, including mock interviews and preparation. However, additional costs of £2,000 to £3,000 were necessary to produce evidence. “If you go to those associations, you will not get caught out. Most of the people there are not gay,” he remarked, underscoring the ease of deception.
When asked about cases where the applicant wasn’t truly gay or atheist, Akhand responded, “Everyone is being successful, God willing. If you listen and get the evidence arranged properly, it will be successful.” This confidence reflects the industry’s reliance on strategic misinformation to secure asylum status.
Zahid Hasan Akhand, who qualified as a barrister in 2022, admitted he lacked a formal license to practice. This detail raises questions about the legitimacy of those facilitating the scheme, yet the process remains operational within the UK’s immigration framework.
