Legal advisers help migrants pose as gay to get asylum, undercover BBC investigation finds

Legal Advisers Help Migrants Pose as Gay to Get Asylum, Undercover BBC Investigation Finds

A hidden network of law firms and immigration consultants is charging substantial fees to assist migrants in presenting themselves as LGBTQ+ in order to secure residency in the UK. In the opening phase of a significant covert investigation, the BBC uncovered methods by which individuals facing visa expiration are supplied with fabricated narratives and coached to gather misleading documents, such as letters, photos, and medical records. These materials are then used to support asylum applications, with applicants asserting they face danger if sent back to Pakistan or Bangladesh.

Following the collection of preliminary data, including insider information, BBC reporters infiltrated the process by pretending to be international students from Pakistan and Bangladesh. The inquiry revealed that, at a community event in Beckton, east London, over 175 attendees had gathered. Some had traveled from South Wales, Birmingham, and Oxford for a meeting hosted by Worcester LGBT, a group that positions itself as a support network for LGBTQ+ asylum seekers. While the site claims to welcome only authentic individuals, several men at the event openly admitted to the reporter that their true identities were not as claimed.

“Most of the people here are not gays,” said Fahar, a man present at the meeting. Another attendee, Zeeshan, added: “Nobody is a gay here. Not even 1% are gay. Not even 0.01% are gay.”

The reporter’s engagement with the group began in late February when they contacted Mazedul Hasan Shakil, a paralegal at Law & Justice Solicitors in Birmingham and London. Shakil, also founder and chair of Worcester LGBT, previously promoted his legal services via the group’s website. During their conversation, he assured the reporter that asylum claims required proof of persecution. However, shortly after, the reporter received a call in Urdu from Tanisa, who appeared eager to guide them through a “gay case” application. She emphasized that the only viable path to remain in the UK was to claim persecution based on sexual orientation.

Later that evening, the reporter met Tanisa at her home in Forest Gate, east London. She outlined the process, explaining that the individual would need to memorize a fabricated story for their interview. “You are the one who has to go and take the exam,” she said, “I am here to prepare everything for you but ultimately it is you who has to go there.”

The Home Office responded to the findings, stating: “Anyone found trying to exploit the system will face the full force of the law, including removal from the UK.” The UK’s asylum framework provides refuge to those at risk of harm in their home countries. However, the BBC’s investigation suggests the system is being manipulated by legal professionals extracting payments from migrants seeking long-term stays. This group, often individuals with expired student, work, or tourist visas, now accounts for 35% of all asylum applications, which surpassed 100,000 in 2025.