A group of Nigerians residing in the United Kingdom have staged a protest against the increasing cases of Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) scams in the country.
According to reports, some Nigerian nationals gathered on Marsham Street, London, on Thursday to raise awareness about the fraudulent activities.
A TikTok live video viewed by our correspondents captured a woman identified as Christiana Olabisi, popularly called Ferrari, using a megaphone to urge victims to come forward and join the demonstration.
“No more fraud. Enough is enough. Whether you like it or not, all of you will be exposed,” she declared.
She encouraged those who had been defrauded to speak up, assuring them that the UK was a country where people could voice their concerns without fear.
“Don’t let anyone threaten you with deportation. If someone has taken your money, now is the time to come forward. Tomorrow might be too late,” she added.
Olabisi further accused a group of individuals of extorting large sums from newcomers under false pretenses, claiming they were deceiving unsuspecting migrants by charging exorbitant fees for Certificates of Sponsorship, which are supposed to be issued at no cost.
During the protest, a banner was displayed featuring photos of 30 individuals alleged to be involved in the fraudulent activities. The banner, adapted from an e-flier previously shared on social media, bore the caption: “Say No to UK CoS Scam – Faces of people scamming others for thousands of pounds in exchange for CoS.”
Speaking with our correspondent, Olabisi revealed that about ten people participated in the demonstration outside the UK Home Office.
She added that an official from the department later addressed them and advised them to submit a formal complaint for further action.
Victims Share Their Experiences
The Certificate of Sponsorship is a requirement for licensed UK employers to hire skilled workers from overseas. However, fraudulent agents and companies have been exploiting desperate job seekers by demanding large sums of money for sponsorship, only to leave them stranded without jobs.
Many victims, having paid exorbitant amounts, find themselves unable to work and are forced to rely on food banks for survival.
During the protest, numerous affected individuals joined the TikTok live session, sharing their heartbreaking stories. A caller recounted how a friend and his family lost £15,000 to a scammer who promised them CoS.
Despite warnings, they proceeded with the payment, only to be defrauded again upon arriving in Manchester.
Another victim, identified as Ehizojie Joy, lamented that despite paying £10,000 for a CoS two years ago, she had yet to secure a proper job and had been surviving on minimal shifts from another employer.
Similarly, a woman named Musa Eunice revealed how her cousin lost £20,000 to a fraudulent agent, while another user disclosed that he had paid £12,000 but could no longer reach the company that took his money.
Additional testimonies poured in, with some victims reporting losses ranging from £3,000 to £12,000. One user, Sovereign_ruler, shared that his mother was heartbroken after being scammed out of her life savings.
A TikTok influencer, Rita Onyekweli, also spoke on the issue, stating that scammers had devastated many lives by preying on vulnerable individuals. “Some people sold their properties and took loans to secure a CoS, only to realize it was all a scam,” she said.
Reports indicate that CoS scams have become rampant, with fraudulent individuals charging between £12,000 and £20,000 for fake sponsorships. Some victims even received fake documents, leading to visa denials.
Previous Investigations
The UK media has previously exposed similar fraudulent practices. In August 2023, a Sky News investigation revealed how African migrants were being exploited by fake recruitment companies. Similarly, in 2024, the Daily Mail reported on a Baptist minister who admitted to charging £9,000 to arrange jobs in just three days.
One victim, who paid £6,000 in cash for sponsorship, later discovered that the promised job did not exist.
Allegations Denied
One of the individuals whose photos appeared on the protest banner, Mojisola, denied any involvement in fraudulent activities.
Speaking to Sunday PUNCH, she stated that she had initiated legal action against her accuser at the King’s Bench Division of the Royal Courts of Justice in London.
“The accusations against me on social media are completely false. I have taken legal steps to clear my name, and since the matter is now in court, I will not be making further comments,” she said.
NiDCOM Reacts
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) acknowledged that visa scams remain a significant concern.
NiDCOM’s Director of Media and Public Relations, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, advised the protesters to seek legal redress rather than take matters into their own hands.
“They should be careful and ensure their protest remains peaceful. The best approach is to take legal action against those responsible,” Balogun stated.
As of the time of reporting, the UK Home Office had not responded to inquiries regarding the protest.
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