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An investigation has revealed a range of deceptive methods employed by some asylum seekers and their advisers to fabricate evidence in support of their claims. These tactics span from creating fake news websites and orchestrating political protests to inventing medical conditions. Additionally, applicants have been known to pay for articles in atheist publications or enlist individuals to impersonate same-sex partners as part of their applications.
In an undercover operation conducted in early April in east London, a reporter posing as a Bangladeshi university dropout seeking asylum was guided through the process by Zahid Hasan Akhand, who identified himself as a barrister. Akhand outlined three primary asylum pathways: persecution due to sexual orientation, religious beliefs, or political activism. While he offered legal assistance for a fee of £1,500, there was emphasis on the necessity for fabricated supporting evidence. Akhand explained that if genuine evidence was unavailable, he could introduce the reporter to contacts who could provide such materials, typically costing an additional £2,000 to £3,000 depending on the chosen asylum route.
Regarding the atheist claim, the approach involved posting provocative content critical of Islam on social media to provoke threats, thereby “creating” evidence of persecution. Akhand also described how blog posts and articles could be published under the applicant’s name or pseudonyms on atheist platforms in the UK and Bangladesh, sometimes utilizing AI tools to generate written content. Participation in events for former Muslims was recommended, as live video presence could serve as further proof. He suggested telling the authorities that any atheism developed after arrival in the UK, explaining a lack of previous evidence. Akhand noted the difficulty in verifying such claims: “There is no way to know who is an atheist and who is not… You just told me that you are not an atheist, which means you are not an atheist. But there is no system to check these things.”
When it comes to political asylum, Akhand cautioned that proving activism in the home country was challenging and complicated, but impersonating a gay individual presented fewer obstacles because such cases are considered private. He described the types of fabricated evidence that might be used, including membership in clubs, attendance at events, and letters from a “partner” confirming a relationship. He added, “Most of the people there are not gay.” Akhand asserted that cases based on false identities were often successful if the evidence was properly arranged.
It is important to note that Akhand qualified as a barrister in 2022 but currently does not hold a practising licence, meaning he is unregistered and legally prohibited from offering immigration legal services under that professional title. He has previously been associated with Lextel Solicitors, though the firm stated he ceased working there about two
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