Lady in tears after selling her house to travel to the UK as agent runs away leaving her with no job
Some Nigerians are reportedly stranded in the United Kingdom (UK) after paying scammers posing as skilled worker visa agencies for non-existent jobs.
According to a Sky News investigation, these job seekers paid these agencies large sums of money to enable their trip to the UK on skilled worker visas.
One of the victims, Blessing, whose name has been altered to protect her identity, told the publication in the tiny corridor of a food bank that despite being promised a job, she is currently homeless in the UK.
She stated that she arrived in the UK three months ago after paying £10,000 to an “agent” in Nigeria to secure a job.
When she arrived in the country, she learned there was no work for her.
Blessing, who now relies on handouts from a Nigerian food bank, explained that she did not complete the application herself since it is impossible to distinguish between genuine and bogus applications in Nigeria.
She stated;
“It makes me feel like a moron.” I would have done it myself, but there are so many scams on the internet [in Nigeria] that it’s difficult to tell what’s legitimate.
“I’ve always taken care of myself. I’m a hardworking, conscientious individual. So for me to be here, relying on others to eat, or coming to the food bank to acquire food, is not acceptable.
“There are a lot of them. Dozens. I met a lot of people here, and many more are still coming after I left. There’s a huge con going on.”
Mary Adekugbe, founder of the Nigerian Community Centre in Rochdale, Greater Manchester, told Sky News that the recent expansion has overwhelmed her.
She stated;
“Approximately 15 of the 35–40 people who usually come to the food bank on a weekly basis have skilled worker visas.” We are overburdened, and people are desperate. It’s quite concerning.”
The UK government charges between £625 and £1,423 for a skilled worker visa, depending on the applicant’s location and length of stay.
An annual healthcare surcharge of £624, as well as £1,270 in availability for the applicant to demonstrate their ability to maintain themselves in the UK, are also required.
