Bogus websites, staged protests and pretend atheists: Inside the fake asylum industry

Bogus Websites, Staged Protests and Pretended Atheists: Inside the Fake Asylum Sector

In a rapidly evolving landscape, asylum seekers and their advocates are employing a range of fabricated tools to strengthen their cases. These include misleading online platforms, organized demonstrations, and even simulated non-belief in religious faith. The BBC’s initial investigation uncovered how migrants are being guided through a network of deceit, where financial incentives drive the creation of false narratives to secure residency. One such method involves paying for advice on how to appear homosexual to claim asylum, as detailed in the first phase of the undercover probe.

The Three Routes to Deception

At an office near Mile End Road in east London, our investigator participated in a training session on asylum applications. Posing as a Bangladeshi student who had recently left university, he expressed interest in asylum as a way to remain in the UK. Zahid Hasan Akhand, presenting himself as a barrister, outlined three potential paths: persecution due to sexual orientation, religious convictions, or political beliefs. According to Akhand, the legal aspect would be managed by him, but the individual would need to select one identity to pursue.

Each route required effort. For £1,500, Akhand offered assistance with “preparing your application, rehearsing your interview, and conducting mock sessions.” However, the investigator would also need to produce supporting evidence to convince the Home Office of his authenticity. Akhand claimed to have contacts who could help fabricate this, depending on the chosen path, with costs ranging from £2,000 to £3,000.

Evidence Creation Tactics

For the atheist angle, Akhand proposed generating social media content critical of Islam or the Prophet Muhammad. “Religious clerics will start making comments threatening to kill you. Then you will see that your evidence has been created,” he explained. The investigator would also be connected to UK and Bangladeshi groups that publish blogs or magazines, where posts could be written for a fee to bolster credibility. He even suggested using AI tools like ChatGPT to craft such content.

Akhand emphasized the need to attend events by former Muslims and participate in discussions to add authenticity. “This is not the age of posts anymore, it is the age of live videos,” he noted. He then outlined a potential narrative: “You would say that you became an atheist after coming here. You were not one in Bangladesh,” he said. If in Bangladesh, the investigator could “write under a pseudonym” to create a more convincing story.

Regarding the political route, Akhand admitted it was more challenging, requiring a legal case against the applicant in their home country. He contrasted this with the gay claim, which he deemed easier to manage. “For gay cases, it’s private, but politics and atheism are public,” he explained. “So establishing that is a bit difficult.” He assured the investigator that “connecting you with people we know who do these things” would ensure success.

Akhand qualified as a barrister in 2022 but does not hold a practicing license, raising questions about his authority. Despite this, he maintained confidence in the system, stating, “Everyone is being successful, God willing,” as long as evidence was properly arranged. The investigator was told to “first decide whether you will do it on atheism grounds or on gay grounds… then I will draw you a full outline.” This highlights the systematic nature of the deception, where tailored stories are crafted to navigate the immigration process.