Fake UK Sponsorships: 1 Ghanaian Recruitment Agent Exposed and Apprehended
Fake UK Sponsorships are on the rise in, being peddled by many agents for non existent jobs in the UK for thousands of pounds.
A BBC undercover investigation has exposed a Ghanaian recruitment agent, Nana Akwasi Agyemang-Prempeh, for allegedly scamming multiple job seekers by selling fake Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) for non-existent jobs in the UK. Victims paid thousands of pounds, only to discover that the documents were fraudulent.
This revelation adds to the growing list of visa and job scams targeting desperate individuals seeking opportunities abroad. With tightened UK immigration policies, fraudsters are finding new ways to exploit job seekers, shifting their operations from healthcare to construction and IT.
How the Fraud Unfolded
Agyemang-Prempeh initially focused on the UK healthcare sector, promising unsuspecting individuals jobs as care workers. Victims, many from Ghana and other African countries, were made to pay huge sums for sponsorships that turned out to be fake. The CoS documents they received looked real but were mere replicas of genuine certificates issued by legitimate care companies.
As UK authorities cracked down on fraud in the health and care sector, Agyemang-Prempeh shifted his scam to the construction industry. A BBC undercover journalist, posing as a Ugandan businessman in the UK, approached him about bringing construction workers from Uganda. Agyemang-Prempeh confirmed it was possible but at an outrageous cost:
£42,000 ($54,000) for three people
This was not just a scam but an elaborate scheme backed by a registered company with a valid UK Home Office sponsorship license. The company legally had the authority to issue CoS but was allegedly using it fraudulently.
UK Government’s Response and reaction to Fake UK Sponsorship
This case is not an isolated incident. Over the past few years, fraudulent UK job schemes have surged, targeting job seekers from Ghana, Zimbabwe, India, and even students in the UK.
1. Between July 2022 and December 2024, the UK government revoked over 470 sponsorship licenses in the care sector due to fraud.
2. More than 39,000 medical professionals and care workers from overseas were affected by these fraudulent schemes.
3. Scammers exploited loopholes in the UK visa system to sell fake sponsorships at exorbitant prices.
After uncovering Agyemang-Prempeh’s operation, the UK Home Office revoked his company’s sponsorship license, effectively blocking his ability to recruit foreign workers.
When confronted by the BBC, Agyemang-Prempeh denied any wrongdoing, claiming he had been misled by other agents and had unknowingly sold fake CoS documents.
UK’s New Visa Rules: What Job Seekers Must Know about Fake UK Sponsorship
With the rising number of fraud cases, the UK government has introduced new visa rules to protect job seekers and tighten recruitment processes:
1. From April 9, 2025, care providers in England must prioritize hiring international workers already living in the UK before recruiting from overseas.
2. Employers caught abusing visa sponsorships will be banned from hiring foreign workers.
3. The UK is implementing stricter CoS verification to prevent fraud.
How to Avoid Job Scams
With fake UK sponsorship scams like this becoming more sophisticated, it’s crucial for job seekers to stay alert. Here are some tips to protect yourself from fraudulent recruiters:
1. Verify the legitimacy of the job offer – Always check if the company offering you a job is listed on the official UK government website for licensed sponsors.
2. Avoid paying large fees upfront – Genuine job placements do not require thousands of pounds in advance for sponsorship.
3. Be wary of unofficial agents – If an offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Work with registered and reputable recruitment agencies.
4. Check for red flags – Scammers often rush you into payments, avoid official email communications, or lack a traceable business address.
Final Thoughts
The exposure of Agyemang-Prempeh’s fraudulent activities is a wake-up call for job seekers looking for work opportunities in the UK. With fraudsters shifting from healthcare to construction and IT, due diligence is more important than ever.
If you’re planning to work abroad, always verify your employer, double-check all documents, and never pay large sums for job placements. Stay informed, stay cautious, and don’t fall victim to recruitment scams.
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