Pakistani and Bangladeshi Muslims are pretending to be gay to secure asylum in the UK. An investigative report published by BBC News on Tuesday, 14th April, suggests that certain immigration advisers are charging large sums of money to help migrants build fake cases.
According to the BBC’s undercover investigation, migrants whose visas are about to expire are being given fabricated stories and even coached on how to produce fake evidence. These individuals then apply for asylum, claiming they would be in danger if they returned to their home countries because of their sexual orientation.
“The UK’s asylum process offers protection to people who can’t return to their home countries because they would be in danger, for example, in countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh where gay sex is illegal,” the report noted. However, it also claimed that this system is being “systematically exploited by legal advisers extracting fees from migrants who want to stay in the country”.
The report highlights that many of these applicants are not illegal entrants but people whose student, work, or tourist visas have expired. This group reportedly makes up around 35% of all asylum claims, which crossed 100,000 in 2025.
Fake evidence and high fees
The investigation found that some law firms and advisers are charging thousands of pounds to create false asylum claims. In one case, a firm charged up to £7,000 and assured clients that the chances of rejection were “very low”.
Undercover reporters posing as students were advised to create fake medical records by pretending to be depressed or even claiming to be HIV positive. In some cases, advisers offered to arrange fake same-sex partners to support the claim.
Long-running network and methods
One immigration adviser claimed she had been helping people file such fake claims for over 17 years. Another lawyer told reporters he could help them pose as gay or atheist for a fee of £1,500, with additional charges of £2,000–£3,000 for creating fake evidence.
🇬🇧 Migrants pay thousands of pounds to fake gay asylum claims in the UK.
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) April 15, 2026
Undercover reporters found a shadow industry of lawyers and advisers offering fabricated photos, fake medical reports and letters from invented male partners, with fees ranging from £2,500 to £7,000.… pic.twitter.com/owZl6PdblD
In one shocking claim, an undercover reporter was told that after securing asylum, he could bring his wife to the UK, and she could also file a false claim by pretending to be a lesbian.
The investigation also uncovered the use of fake news websites, staged protests, and fabricated personal histories to make asylum applications appear genuine.
According to UK Home Office data cited in the report, Pakistanis had the highest number of asylum claims based on sexual orientation in 2023, followed by Bangladeshis. Nearly 42% of such claims were made by Pakistani nationals.
Reacting to the findings, the Home Office said, “Anyone found trying to exploit the system will face the full force of the law, including removal from the UK.”
Political reactions and concerns
Labour MP Jo White called for strict action, saying, “It is absolutely essential that the government cracks down on them. Evidence like this… will go straight to the police, and the police will begin their activity and break it apart.”
She also suggested tighter visa rules for certain countries due to concerns over misuse.
Meanwhile, Conservative leader Chris Philp criticised the system more broadly, saying, “The whole system is rotten. The asylum system must be totally overhauled so that only a very small number of people facing real personal persecution… are given asylum.”
The BBC said this is just the first part of its investigation, indicating that more details may emerge.
