Over 1,000 Nigerians Are Stranded In The UK After Travelling With Fake Employment Letters

As Nigeria continues to witness a surge in the migration of citizens to foreign countries due to the harsh economic reality of the country, the United Nations Migration Agency, International Organization for Migration (IOM) have advised Nigerians to be cautious about falling victim to fake employees abroad.

The agency revealed that over 1,000 Nigerians are currently stranded in the United Kingdom after securing visas through fake employment letters and being denied work when they arrive in the UK because these companies say that they are not responsible for issuing the employment documents.

“There are some of them who lost over $10,000 only to be given fake employment letters, which allowed them to get visas. They get there, present the letters, and the organizations tell them that the letters did not emanate from the organizations. Over a thousand people are affected,’’ IOM’s Chief of Mission, Mr. Laurent De Boeck, said during a news conference in Abuja on Monday.

Related: UK Set To Stop Issuing Visas To Nigerian Doctors

According to the IOM, more than 260,000 Nigerians have made inquiries about how to legally migrate and also undergo a proper pre-departure medical assessment.

De Boeck further disclosed that the agency is working with partners to ensure the repatriation of thousands of people, including those from Nigeria and Tunisia, which recently banned migration.
The IOM also disclosed plans with Italy to develop pathways for qualified Nigerians and stated that it would engage other nations like Belgium, France, Spain, and more.