A recent investigation by the BBC revealed that a Kurdish crime network is allegedly facilitating illegal work for migrants in mini-marts across the UK. These enterprises reportedly employ individuals without proper legal documentation, enabling them to manage shops and sell illicit items such as vapes and cigarettes.
Undercover reporters, posing as Kurdish asylum seekers, discovered how straightforward it would be for them to take over shop operations for significant profits. The investigation identified over 100 mini-marts, barbershops, and car washes linked to this network, which spans from Dundee to south Devon. A financial crime investigator involved in the research indicated that the problem might extend even further than what was uncovered.
The Home Office has announced intentions to investigate the findings. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood emphasized the importance of addressing illegal working and its connections to organized crime.
The investigation detailed the use of “ghost directors,” individuals who lend their names to businesses without actively managing them. Many of these businesses are dissolved and reopened periodically to avoid scrutiny. Undercover reporters learned of asylum seekers, including one whose claim had been rejected, being offered mini-marts for sale.
The investigation also highlighted that asylum seekers typically do not have the right to work while their claims are processed. If granted permission, their authorized roles do not encompass positions in retail management. Furthermore, shopkeepers like Surchi, contacted during the investigation, indicated they avoided legal oversight by compensating intermediaries to register businesses under their names.
Connections between various individuals and their numerous business registrations were identified, showcasing a network that, according to a financial investigator, displays patterns often associated with organized crime. The BBC’s findings have raised questions regarding the extended scope of these illegal operations and the potential for greater government action.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c0mx99ple17o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss