Japa: Over 1k Nigerians fell victims of fake UK jobs

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has raised an alarm over the increasing number of Nigerians falling victim to scams related to foreign job opportunities in the United Kingdom. More than 1,000 individuals have been affected, losing significant sums of money in desperate attempts to secure employment abroad.

Details:

1. Scams and Financial Loss:
   • IOM’s Chief of Mission, Laurent De Boeck, revealed that victims lost substantial amounts, with some individuals being defrauded of up to $10,000 each.
   • Fake employment letters were provided to victims, allowing them to obtain visas. Upon arrival in the UK, the victims discovered that the letters were forged, leaving them stranded.
2. Advice to Nigerians:
   • Boeck strongly advised Nigerians to exercise caution and seek accurate information before embarking on migration journeys, emphasizing the prevalence of scams in the guise of foreign job opportunities.
3. Magnitude of the Issue:
   • Over 260,000 Nigerians approached the IOM in 2023 seeking guidance on legal migration routes and undergoing pre-departure health assessments.
4. Repatriation Efforts:
   • IOM is collaborating with partners to repatriate thousands, including Nigerians, from Tunisia following the country’s migration ban.
5. Displacements in Nigeria:
   • There has been a 30% annual increase in displacements in various states of the North West for the past five years, with Zamfara being the most impacted. Banditry and criminal activities are cited as major contributors.
6. Trafficking and Repatriation:
   • IOM identified and supported 682 victims of trafficking in 2023, focusing on vulnerable groups such as survivors of gender-based violence, persons with disabilities, and unaccompanied children.
   • The organization facilitated the return of 4,431 Nigerians, supporting their reintegration, with 2,853 individuals receiving reintegration assistance.
7. Migration Health Efforts:
   • IOM’s Migration Health initiatives in 2023 included over 260,000 pre-departure health assessments, diagnosing and referring 166 migrants with tuberculosis, administering 15,000 vaccine doses, and renovating three public hospitals.

Conclusion: As the number of Nigerians falling prey to scams targeting foreign job opportunities rises, the IOM emphasizes the need for thorough research and verification before pursuing migration. The organization continues its efforts to address the challenges associated with irregular migration and supports victims in their repatriation and reintegration endeavors.