Hobnob News | February 23, 2025
Nigerians residing in the United Kingdom have taken a bold step against the increasing cases of Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) scams, staging a protest to expose individuals allegedly involved in defrauding immigrants. The demonstration, which took place on Marsham Street in London, saw protesters calling for justice and urging victims to speak up.
A viral live-streamed video on TikTok featured a protester identified as Christiana Olabisi, popularly known as Ferrari, passionately addressing the gathering with a megaphone. She implored victims not to be intimidated into silence and encouraged them to report fraudulent individuals.
“No more scamming. Enough is enough. Whether you like it or not, all of you are going to get reported. We are here waiting for you, for those of you still wanting to join the protest. Don’t let anybody scare you. This is a country where you can speak up. Don’t let anyone scare you with deportation. If anyone has collected money from you, this is the time to speak up. Tomorrow may be too late,” Olabisi declared.
The protest was further amplified by an e-flier that circulated on social media platform X, which featured the names and faces of 30 individuals accused of defrauding unsuspecting immigrants. This e-flier was later turned into a large banner displayed prominently at the protest site. The message on the banner read: ‘Say No to UK CoS Scam: Faces of People Scamming Others with Thousands of Pounds for CoS in the UK.’
One of the protest organizers, Olabisi, revealed that about 10 protesters had gathered outside the UK Home Office to voice their concerns. She further disclosed that an official had addressed them, advising them to submit a formal complaint for their grievances to be officially reviewed.
Victims Share Heartbreaking Experiences
The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) scheme is a visa program established by the UK government to allow licensed organizations to hire skilled workers from overseas. Under this scheme, UK-based sponsors issue certificates that enable prospective employees to apply for work visas. Notably, CoS issuance is meant to be free of charge. However, fraudulent agents and companies have exploited the desperation of job seekers, demanding exorbitant fees for fake or non-existent sponsorships.
Many unsuspecting individuals have fallen prey to these scams, parting with substantial sums of money only to arrive in the UK and find themselves jobless. Without valid employment, some have been forced to rely on food banks and charity organizations for survival.
During the protest, several victims came forward to share their distressing experiences. A TikTok caller recounted how his friend and his entire family were swindled out of £15,000 by a fraudster promising CoS assistance.
“My friend, along with his wife and two children, paid a whopping £15,000 to a guy in the UK for a Certificate of Sponsorship. I warned them not to, but they didn’t listen. When they got to Manchester, I learned they paid even more money to another person for the same CoS. But nothing came out of it,” the caller narrated.
Another victim, Ehizojie Joy, lamented her ordeal. “I have been here for two years, yet no shifts from my employer after paying £10,000. I have only been managing 20-hour shifts from another employer,” she disclosed.
A similar story was shared by another immigrant who paid £12,000, only to find out that the sponsoring company had cut off all communication with him.
Mounting Cases of Fraudulent Practices
As the protest gained traction, a content creator, Musa Eunice, revealed that her cousin was allegedly scammed out of £20,000.
“Na £20,000 they collected from my cousin. Wicked people,” she wrote in a comment.
Another user recounted losing £12,000, stating, “Since I arrived in the UK, I have had no work. I have been struggling financially after paying £12,000 in debt for the CoS.”
More victims came forward in the comment section of the TikTok livestream, sharing their losses:
- Juicy.cake1: “I got duped £3,000. The person who scammed me is on the list.”
- Anonymous user: “I was scammed out of £8,500. Please, I need help recovering my money.”
- Eddyking71: “They already scammed me out of £11,000.”
- Sovereign_ruler: “My mom has been in pain after being scammed out of her hard-earned money by one Toyin.”
The protest shed light on how these fraudulent schemes have left numerous victims in financial ruin, both in the UK and back in Nigeria. Many individuals who sold their properties or took out loans to finance their relocation found themselves stranded without work, battling debt and uncertainty.
Call for Accountability and Government Intervention
A prominent TikToker, Rita Onyekweli (@rita4delta), addressed the issue in a live broadcast, emphasizing the severity of the scam and its long-term consequences.
“A lot of people are in my DMs, crying. These scammers prey on people’s vulnerabilities and take thousands of pounds from them. Do you know how much that is? Some people sold their properties, while others borrowed heavily just to raise the money, only to be scammed. These people charge between £12,000 to £20,000, but when the victims arrive in the UK, there is no job for them. Some, after paying everything, even get their visas denied because they were given fake CoS. Why are Africans like this? If you don’t have a CoS, why take someone’s money? It is disheartening!” Onyekweli stated.
With the increasing number of reported scams, Nigerians in the UK are urging the Home Office and law enforcement agencies to take immediate action. Protesters are advocating for stricter regulations, better oversight of the CoS issuance process, and legal action against those exploiting vulnerable immigrants.
The growing unrest among affected individuals highlights the urgent need for Nigerian authorities to work closely with their UK counterparts in tackling these fraudulent activities. As more victims come forward, the call for justice and systemic change is only growing louder.
The Hobnob News team will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as the situation unfolds.
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