Nigerians in the United Kingdom rally against the rising cases of Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) scams, which have left many immigrants stranded after paying huge sums for fraudulent job offers.
A viral TikTok live video showed a woman, Christiana Olabisi, also known as Ferrari, leading the demonstration with a megaphone, urging victims to join the protest.
“No more scamming. Enough is enough. Whether you like it or not, all of you are going to get reported,” she declared.
Olabisi further encouraged victims not to be intimidated, adding, “Don’t let anybody scare you. This is a country where you can speak up. If anyone has collected money from you, this is the time to speak up. Tomorrow may be too late.”
The protesters, gathered in front of the UK Home Office, carried a banner displaying the faces of 30 alleged scammers under the title Say No To UK CoS Scam. According to Olabisi, Home Office officials advised them to submit a formal complaint to address their grievances.
Victims Share Their Ordeals
The Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is a UK visa scheme designed for licensed organizations to legally hire foreign workers. While it is meant to be free, fraudulent agents and companies have been exploiting desperate immigrants by charging exorbitant fees.
Many victims shared their experiences during the protest and in online discussions:
- A caller recounted how his friend and his family paid £15,000 for a fake CoS, only to be stranded in Manchester.
- A woman named Ehizojie Joy said she paid £10,000 but had not received any work shifts from her employer in two years.
- A content creator, Musa Eunice, claimed her cousin was scammed out of £20,000.
- Another victim, who lost £12,000, lamented being jobless and in debt.
TikTok user Rita Onyekweli described the devastating impact on families, stating that some victims sold properties or took huge loans to pay scammers, only to arrive in the UK with no jobs.
Widespread CoS Fraud and Past Investigations
The CoS scam has become a widespread issue among immigrants in the UK. In 2023, a Sky News investigation exposed how African migrants were being exploited, while a Daily Mail report in 2024 detailed the arrest of a Baptist minister who admitted to charging £9,000 for fraudulent job placements.
Denial and Legal Action
One of the individuals named in the protest, Mojisola, denied any involvement in fraudulent activities and stated she had taken legal action at the King’s Bench Division of the Royal Courts of Justice in London to clear her name.
NiDCOM and UK Home Office React
The Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) acknowledged concerns over visa scams but advised protesters to remain law-abiding and seek legal redress. The UK Home Office has yet to respond to the protest officially.
The demonstration highlights the urgent need for authorities to address visa fraud and protect immigrants from exploitation.
