BBC reported that two people were arrested after raids at several addresses in London on Tuesday. On the same day, another person was detained on suspicion of illegally staying in the UK. Mobile phones, jewellery and a large amount of pounds were seized at the time. The identities of the arrested people have not been disclosed.
Expatriates
Allegations of Bangladeshis 'posing as gay' in fake asylum applications, 3 arrested in UK
The immigration authorities allege that the gang created staged photos, fake documents and various supporting letters to make asylum seekers appear gay. In return, each person was charged between £1,000 and £4,500. It is believed that dozens of Bangladeshi men have been assisted with such asylum applications.
Chris Foster, regional head of the Home Office's criminal investigation department, said the investigation began with several suspicious asylum applications linked to ‘Aponjon’, a Bangladeshi LGBT organisation based in Whitechapel, east London. The operation was carried out on Tuesday after several months of investigation.
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The Home Office said that more than a hundred asylum applications linked to this kind of fraud are currently being reviewed. The authorities also said that some fake applications have already been approved.
A BBC investigation in April this year claimed that lawyers and advisers were helping some migrants apply by pretending to be gay in order to get asylum in the UK. The report also published secretly recorded comments by a legal adviser.
UK Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said that if people commit fraud by making false claims to obtain asylum, proceedings will be taken against those involved, illegally acquired money will be seized, and asylum applications will be cancelled. The UK government also said that if convicted, they could face up to 10 years in prison.