Nigerians, both in the UK and at home, are seeking swift action from law enforcement agencies, especially the EFCC, to apprehend an immigration fraudster accused of scamming individuals with promises of British Certificates of Sponsorship.
Kayode Stephen Oyedare, based in the UK, allegedly swindled over £68,000 from more than eight people under the guise of securing these certificates, Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ) reported.
Understanding the Certificate of Sponsorship
A Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) is a vital document for migrants applying for UK Skilled Worker or Temporary Worker Visas, permitting legal work without breaching UK regulations.
The scam unveiled
Oyedare, reportedly in business with Peniela Eniayo Akintujoye, a Nigerian travel agent, misled intending migrants seeking work in UK care homes.
It was gathered that initially partners, Akintujoye entrusted his clients’ money to Oyedare based on past associations. However, Oyedare failed to deliver, deceiving both migrants and Akintujoye.
“I knew him as a friend and did some small businesses with him before he left Nigeria. So this was the basis of my trust,” Akintujoye revealed. He continued, “I gave him money for 10 applications, which summed up to £68,000.”
Read also: UK inks fresh migration accord with Rwanda
Broken promises and frustration
Oyedare’s assurances of prompt certificate delivery fell flat. Despite Akintujoye’s efforts, only £10,000 of the £68,000 was recovered. “Unfortunately, and perhaps unsurprising to him as he knew what he set out to do from the outset, he couldn’t secure a single certificate,” Akintujoye stated.
Reputation at stake
By providing Oyedare’s account details, Akintujoye faced a severe reputational hit, struggling with the backlash. He described clients’ refund demands, lamenting the distressing impact: “For two months, £58,000 has been stuck with this guy despite all our pleas.”
Amidst Akintujoye’s struggles, impending deportations loom for affected individuals facing visa renewal issues due to lost funds. Oyedare’s unresponsiveness added to the crisis.
According to FIJ, three other victims in Bradford shared similar tales, each losing £4,000 and encountering Oyedare’s silence, echoing Akintujoye’s plight.
Accountability and trust betrayal: Jubifilai’s claims
Jubifilai, an Ibadan-based automobile business owner, asserted his intention to hold Akintujoye accountable for the £8,000 loss attributed to Oyedare’s actions.
Distancing himself from any direct dealings with Oyedare, he emphasised, “I don’t know any Kayode Oyedare… My business is with Peniela Akintujoye. If I am holding anybody accountable, it’s him.”
He underscored his trust in Akintujoye, based on a recommendation from his in-law, stating, “It’s only him I know, and he is the one I can ask.”
Scholarship peril and mental health impact: Famuyiwa’s plight
Famuyiwa, concerned about potentially losing her UK scholarship due to Oyedare’s failure to deliver, revealed her mounting anxieties.
Having paid £4,500 for a certificate of sponsorship to kickstart her studies in the UK, the delay in receiving the certificate significantly affected her mental well-being.
“The delay is affecting my mental health… just because of my mental health. I am also worried about my studentship offer,” Famuyiwa voiced, highlighting the challenges she faced due to the pending refund and the delay in her academic pursuits.
Oyedare’s elusive response: Akintujoye’s concerns
Concerned about Oyedare being hard to reach, Akintujoye emphasised the seriousness of the situation.
He shared that Oyedare suddenly stopped communicating, making things worse for the victims.
Akintujoye talked about the steps he took to find a solution, mentioning, “Because of this, we’ve petitioned Interpol, EFCC, UK police, the University of Lincoln, and several other agencies.”
His proactive approach underlined the magnitude of efforts aimed at addressing the issue and seeking redress.
Read also: More hurdles coming for Nigerians and other foreign workers in UK
Unanswered calls and silence: Oyedare’s unresponsiveness
FIJ kept trying to reach Oyedare but got no response. He stopped answering calls and messages, making Akintujoye and the other victims more worried.
Despite FIJ’s repeated efforts, they couldn’t reach Oyedare, which raised concerns about his unavailability.
Jubifilai, Famuyiwa, and Akintujoye all shared similar distress and uncertainties caused by Oyedare’s actions and lack of response.
A Sky report reveals scammed Nigerian migrants struggle for jobs in the UK
Numerous Nigerian migrants facing joblessness in the UK after paying agents for promised work spoke out. A woman, Blessing (pseudonym), shared her distress, saying she’s forced to rely on food banks, feeling devalued.
Many others fell victim to similar scams, finding no work upon arrival. Sky News unveiled this widespread issue, exposing the concerning misuse of skilled worker visas.
Desperation and harsh conditions prevail, urging a call for UK government intervention.
UK implements stricter immigration rules to curb careworker scam, migrant population
The UK announces stricter immigration rules to reduce entries by thousands. Home Secretary James Cleverly aims to lower authorised immigration by increasing salary thresholds and limiting family sponsorships.
Critics fear strain on sectors like health and care. Revised figures show record immigration in 2022, impacting Brexit’s aftermath.
The opposition warns of workforce shortages. The government faces legal and humanitarian challenges in deterring asylum-seekers.
