Suspected criminal network helping people pretend to be gay to claim asylum - arrests made

Suspected criminal network helping people pretend to be gay to claim asylum - arrests made Caseworkers had noticed patterns in suspicious claims, which raised concerns and led to an investigation. Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source By Holly Kintuka , Audience Writer 22:24, Tue, Oct 6, 2026 Updated: 22:28, Tue, Oct 6, 2026 Two arrests were made in London for the fake claims (Image: Getty) Immigration enforcement have made arrests after an investigation uncovered that migrants were lying about their sexuality to get asylum. The arrests were made in connection with a suspected criminal network believed to behind the dozens of fake claims . They are accused of charging migrants up to £4,500 for the forged evidence, including staged pictures and fake documents. It is believed that they have helped dozens of Bangaladeshi men make the false claims of fearing for their lives if they returned back home due to being gay. According to Chris Foster, a regional lead for criminal investigations at the Home Office, the fake claims were connected to a Bangladeshi community LGBT organisation called Apanjon, which is based in Whitechapel, east London . Two people were arrested iat address in London on suspicion of fraud and immigration offences. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Phones, jewellery and thousands of pounds in cash were also seized, while a third person was arrested on suspicion of being in the country illegally. Mr Foster explained that caseworkers had noticed patterns in suspicious claims, which raised concerns, the BBC reports. Following an investigation, it was found that the group was charging between £1,000 and £4,500 for fake letters. He added: "It could be letters of support from Apanjon, it could be staged photographs, suggesting that these people are gay, it could be letters from people claiming to be in a friendship or a sexual relationship - [a] same-sex relationship - as the claimants." Get the latest politics news - straight from our team in Westminster and more I would like to receive emails from the Daily Express featuring our latest products, services, offers, and promotions from across the Reach Plc family . Subscribe Invalid email You agree you are 18 or over. We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. You can unsubscribe at any time. More Info . More than 100 asylum claims linked to the criminal network are being reviewed by the Home Office. Foster said some of the fake asylum applications would have "undoubtedly" been granted. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT The Home Office said the group would often vouch for men who claimed asylum on the basis they were gay only after having initially refused on political grounds. In one case, a man did not mention his sexuality until nine years after his original claim. Men attending one of the group's events at a community centre in Beckton, east London, claimed they were not really gay. One said: "Nobody is a gay here. Not even 1% are gay. Not even 0.01% are gay." Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT Major new update after mum of three GP found dead while hosting kids' sleepover Log burner and wood burner ban plan handed to Andy Burnham Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said "those faking persecution are beneath contempt and mock real victims who need protection". "To the gangs profiting from this disgraceful fraud: you will be prosecuted, stripped of your dirty money and shut down," she said. "And to those cheating the system, your claim will be thrown out, and you will be removed from this country." A conviction for asylum fraud carries a maximum sentence of up to 10 years in prison. Immigration Migrant Crisis Police Crime Share Article Share Article Facebook X LinkedIn Reddit Bluesky Email Copy Link Link copied Bookmark Add us as preferred source Comments Unavailable Sorry, we are unable to accept comments about this article at the moment. However, you will find some great articles which you can comment on right now in our Comment section .