RICHMOND, Texas. (VOICE OF NAIJA) – In a startling exposé that has sent shockwaves through communities, an investigative report has uncovered a distressing reality faced by a growing number of Nigerians who have fallen victim to an exploitative visa scam.
The scheme, centred around the United Kingdom’s skilled worker visa program, has duped unsuspecting migrants into parting with substantial amounts of their hard-earned naira under the pretence of securing lucrative job opportunities.
The detailed investigation, brought to light by Sky News and made public on Wednesday, shed light on the heart-wrenching predicament of Nigerian migrants who have been coerced by shadowy “travelling agents.” These agents promise golden opportunities in the UK, only to leave migrants stranded and disillusioned upon arrival, with no trace of the promised employment.
One of the victims highlighted in the report is a Nigerian woman who entrusted a staggering £10,000 to an “agent” in exchange for a skilled worker visa, which was supposed to open the doors to a caregiving job in the UK. However, upon landing on British soil, her dreams were shattered as she realized the promised job was nothing but a cruel mirage, leaving her in a state of utter despair.
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The investigative report goes further, exposing the deeply unsettling mechanics of the visa scam. It unveils a web of intermediaries who allegedly pocket hefty sums to orchestrate fictitious caregiving positions in the UK.
The aftermath of this elaborate fraud is a growing population of jobless migrants grappling with the harsh reality of survival. Many have been forced to turn to local food banks for sustenance, while others find themselves with no roof over their heads, facing the grim prospect of homelessness.
The investigative report further delves into the staggering statistics. Over the course of the year leading up to March 2023, an astonishing 170,993 skilled worker visas were granted. Notably, the healthcare sector saw an alarming surge in visa approvals, accounting for more than half of all work visas issued during the same period.
The revelations underscore the urgent need for authorities to tackle the exploitative visa scam and prevent more vulnerable migrants from falling victim to heartless manipulation of hope and dreams.