A group of Nigerians living in the United Kingdom took to the streets of London on Thursday, protesting against the growing number of Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) scams that have left many victims stranded and financially ruined.
The protest, which took place at Marsham Street, in front of the UK Home Office, was led by Christiana Olabisi, also known as Ferrari, who used a megaphone to call on victims to speak out.
“Enough is Enough” – Protesters Speak Out
Olabisi, in a live video on TikTok, urged victims to report fraudsters, warning that silence would only embolden them.
“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. 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.”
The demonstrators also displayed a banner listing 30 alleged fraudsters who have been accused of collecting thousands of pounds from unsuspecting immigrants in exchange for fake CoS documents.
Victims Share Their Ordeals
The CoS scheme, designed to allow UK-licensed organizations to sponsor skilled foreign workers, has been exploited by fraudulent agents and companies who charge exorbitant fees for sponsorships that often turn out to be fake.
During the protest, several victims shared their heartbreaking experiences:
- A man recounted how his friend lost £15,000, paying an agent to secure a CoS for his family, only to end up stranded in Manchester.
- Ehizojie Joy, a Nigerian who has been in the UK for two years, revealed that despite paying £10,000, she has only been able to secure 20-hour shifts from another employer.
- Another victim lost £12,000, stating that the company that took the money stopped answering calls.
- Musa Eunice, a content creator, revealed that her cousin lost £20,000 to fraudsters.
Many of the victims said they were left without jobs, relying on food banks for survival.
Scam Reports on the Rise
Reports of CoS fraud have increased significantly, with investigations by Sky News (2023) and Daily Mail (2024) exposing fraudulent companies exploiting immigrants.
One of the most shocking cases involved a Baptist minister, who was caught on camera charging £9,000 to secure a job in three days.
A migrant also revealed that he paid £6,000 cash at a company’s office in Northwest England, but never received a sponsorship.
Accused Individuals Deny Allegations
One of the alleged fraudsters named on the protest banner, Mojisola, denied the allegations, stating that she had already taken legal action to clear her name.
“The allegations made against me on social media are completely false. I have commenced legal actions, and as this matter is now before the court, I will not be making any further comments,” she told journalists.
NiDCOM Urges Legal Action
Reacting to the protest, the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM) urged affected individuals to seek legal redress.
“Visa scams are a serious concern,” said NiDCOM’s spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun.
“My advice is that they should tread cautiously as they protest and remain law-abiding while registering their displeasure.”
Meanwhile, the UK Home Office has yet to respond to the protest or confirm any ongoing investigations into the scam allegations.