Last week, a group of Nigerian nationals living in the United Kingdom gathered in front of the UK Home Office on Marsham Street, London, to protest against the growing number of Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) scams. These fraudulent schemes have left many victims stranded, financially devastated, and without a clear path forward.
The demonstration was led by Christiana Olabisi, who is popularly known as Ferrari. Olabisi used a megaphone to urge victims to come forward and speak out against the fraudsters who have exploited them. In a passionate speech broadcasted live on TikTok, she called for an end to the scams, encouraging everyone affected to report their experiences.
Olabisi, addressing the crowd of protestors, declared, “Enough is enough. We cannot stay silent any longer. If anyone has taken your money, now is the time to speak up. We are here waiting for you, and we will make sure these fraudsters are held accountable.”
She stressed the importance of victims coming forward, warning that remaining silent would only allow the scam operators to continue preying on innocent people. “Don’t let anyone scare you with deportation threats. You are not alone, and together we can stop these criminals.”
The demonstrators displayed a large banner featuring the names of 30 individuals who have been accused of collecting large sums of money in exchange for fake Certificates of Sponsorship. These CoS documents are required for skilled foreign workers to obtain a visa to work in the UK. However, fraudulent agents and companies have been exploiting the system by offering fake sponsorships for extortionate fees.
The protest was an emotional event, as several victims of the CoS scams shared their painful stories. Many victims revealed that they had been left in financial ruin, often without jobs or housing, and had to rely on food banks for survival.
One man shared the tragic story of his friend, who had lost £15,000 to a fraudulent agent in the hope of securing a CoS for his family. However, the man was left stranded in Manchester with no job or future prospects.
Another victim, Ehizojie Joy, a Nigerian woman who has been in the UK for two years, spoke about how she had paid £10,000 for a CoS but ended up working only 20 hours a week for an employer who took advantage of her situation.
“I was promised a full-time job with good pay, but I am stuck with just a few hours each week, and I’m struggling to survive,” Joy explained. “The person who took my money vanished after I paid them. I have been left with nothing.”
A third victim revealed how she lost £12,000 to a company that had promised her a CoS but later stopped answering calls. She expressed frustration and anger, saying, “I trusted them, and now I have nothing. They took my money and disappeared.”
Musa Eunice, a content creator, also shared her cousin’s experience, saying that her cousin had been defrauded of £20,000 by people claiming to have a legitimate CoS. “These criminals are destroying lives. My cousin is now in debt and struggling to survive,” Eunice said.
CoS fraud has become a growing issue for Nigerians in the UK. Investigations by media outlets such as Sky News and Daily Mail have exposed how fraudulent companies and agents are exploiting the CoS system to scam immigrants.
In one of the most shocking reports, a Baptist minister was caught on camera charging £9,000 to secure a job for a migrant within three days. In another case, a migrant paid £6,000 in cash to a company’s office in Northwest England, only to be left without a sponsorship.
The media has also reported the rise in scams, with some victims even going as far as to take legal action in an attempt to reclaim their money or to warn others about the fraudsters.
Among the names featured on the protest’s banner was Mojisola, one of the accused fraudsters. Mojisola, who was named by several victims, denied the allegations against her and stated that she had already begun legal proceedings to clear her name.
“I have been falsely accused of a crime I did not commit. I am taking legal action to protect my reputation,” Mojisola said in an interview with journalists. “This matter is now in court, and I will not be making any further statements at this time.”
It remains to be seen whether the legal proceedings will lead to any further revelations or consequences for those involved in the scams.
In response to the growing concern over CoS scams, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) issued a statement encouraging victims to pursue legal action.
Abdur-Rahman Balogun, a spokesperson for NiDCOM, urged Nigerians affected by these scams to remain law-abiding as they sought justice. “Visa scams are a serious issue, and we understand the frustration of those who have been deceived. We advise all victims to pursue legal redress, but also to remain calm and cautious while they do so,” Balogun said.
He also highlighted the importance of supporting the victims without resorting to violence or illegal actions, highlighting the need for peaceful protest and lawful approaches to solving the issue.
Despite the protests and the growing public outcry, the UK Home Office has yet to respond to the allegations of CoS fraud or confirm any ongoing investigations into the matter. This lack of response has only added to the frustration of the Nigerian community, who are calling for greater accountability and transparency from both the UK government and law enforcement agencies.
