UK arrests three over alleged fraudulent asylum claims involving Bangladeshis: BBC

Three people have been arrested in the UK over a suspected network accused of helping migrants, including dozens of Bangladeshi men, submit fraudulent asylum claims by pretending to be gay, the BBC reports.

Two people were arrested at addresses in London on Tuesday on suspicion of fraud and immigration offences, while a third was detained on suspicion of being in the UK illegally, according to the report.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

BBC reported that the UK Home Office said the suspected network allegedly charged migrants between £1,000 and £4,500 for fabricated evidence, including staged photographs, fake documents, and letters claiming same-sex relationships.

Chris Foster, a regional lead for criminal investigations at the Home Office, said the suspected claims were linked to Apanjon, a Bangladeshi community LGBT organisation based in Whitechapel, east London.

More than 100 asylum claims linked to the suspected network are now being reviewed by the UK Home Office, Foster said. He added that some fraudulent applications would have been granted.

The arrests followed a BBC investigation in April that found immigration advisers and other intermediaries were allegedly helping migrants fabricate evidence to support asylum claims based on sexual orientation.

The BBC reported that immigration judges had previously criticised evidence submitted by Apanjon as unreliable in some cases and found staged photographs had been used by at least one applicant.

The Home Office said officers seized mobile phones, jewellery, and thousands of pounds in cash during Tuesday’s raids.