A BBC investigation has uncovered how some legal advisers and law firms are charging thousands of pounds to help migrants pose as gay to secure asylum status in the United Kingdom (UK). Data cited in the report indicated that Nigeria recorded 103 asylum claims based on sexual orientation in 2023.
Top Society reports that in Nigeria, homosexual acts carry a prison sentence of up to 14 years, while same-sex marriage and public displays of affection remain illegal.
The new expose detailed how migrants whose visas are nearing expiry are being provided with fabricated backstories and coached on how to obtain fake evidence, including forged supporting letters, staged photographs, and misleading medical reports.
The report published on Wednesday said some advisers charged thousands of pounds to prepare the applications, with one firm allegedly demanding up to £7,000 while assuring clients of a high chance of success.
According to the BBC, the trend largely involved migrants whose work, study or tourist visas had expired, rather than those arriving through irregular routes. It added that such applicants accounted for about 35 per cent of asylum claims in 2025.
While the UK asylum process is designed to protect those in genuine danger, the BBC found the system is being systematically exploited by advisers targeting individuals on expired student, work, or tourist visas. This demographic now accounts for 35 percent of all asylum claims, which exceeded 100,000 in 2025.
Undercover reporters, posing as students from Pakistan and Bangladesh, discovered that one firm charged £7,000 to file a fraudulent claim, describing the risk of rejection as “very low”.
Advisers instructed clients to lie to GPs about depression or even HIV status to bolster their cases.
One legal assistant claimed she could arrange for individuals to provide statements falsely claiming they had engaged in sexual relationships with the clients.
An immigration lawyer cited in the report described the practice as fraudulent and warned that it could undermine genuine asylum claims.
The UK government said the asylum system included safeguards to assess claims and prevent abuse. It added that protection would only be granted to applicants who met the required criteria.
