Scammers in the UK are preying on vulnerable asylum seekers, promising false opportunities for relocation to Rwanda and exploiting government programs, reports The Guardian. The scams surfaced on Saturday and involved two main schemes designed to deceive individuals seeking asylum.
The first scheme involves fraudsters falsely promising assistance to asylum seekers in exchange for a £3,000 government payment. The second scheme capitalizes on the UK government’s £3,000 incentive to encourage refused asylum seekers to return to Rwanda voluntarily.
Reports indicate that migrants receive calls from individuals posing as representatives from Migrant Help, a charity supporting asylum seekers. However, Migrant Help has clarified that they are not associated with these fraudulent calls.
Sonia Lenegan, an immigration lawyer, highlighted concerns regarding the origin of the phone numbers used by scammers. The Home Office has condemned these fraudulent activities, labeling them as cruel attempts to exploit vulnerable individuals.
In response to the growing asylum backlog, the UK government is considering offering failed asylum seekers up to £3,000 to relocate to Rwanda, according to Al Jazeera. Unlike previous controversial proposals for forced deportations, this plan focuses on voluntary relocation and extends existing policies for voluntary returns.
Under the proposed plan, rejected asylum seekers who cannot work legally in the UK may find employment opportunities in Rwanda. Additionally, they would receive five years of additional support.
However, legal challenges persist regarding the compliance of such initiatives with British and international human rights laws. Critics argue that the proposed relocation scheme raises concerns about the safety and well-being of asylum seekers, particularly in light of reports of political oppression in Rwanda.
Despite these concerns, the UK government maintains its stance, considering Rwanda a safe third country for asylum seekers. Data from the Home Office shows that approximately 19,000 people were voluntarily removed from the UK in the past year.