Immigration System Exploitation - Scammers are exploiting a flawed UK immigration system, targeting vulnerable people seeking work in the care sector [1] - Victims are often abandoned by authorities after losing significant sums of money, sometimes selling their houses [1] - The UK government rushed the process of allowing care businesses to recruit staff from overseas, leading to exploitation [1] - People were paying £5,000 to £20,000 to get a certificate of sponsorship (COS) that proved they had a job in the UK, but employers often disappeared [1] - The introduction of the social care visa led to a huge increase in migration and a deeply damaging increase in abuse and exploitation [5] Scam Tactics and Impact - Scammers pressure migrant workers to pay quickly, then delay the process, blaming the home office or others [3] - Victims are losing money and experiencing mental health issues, impacting their sense of self and future [4] - Scams are tearing communities apart, especially when agents are involved [3] - Victims in Zimbabwe cannot report to the police in the UK, leaving them with limited recourse [4] Financial Losses and Recovery Efforts - One woman in South Africa was scammed of £6,500 [1] - One person lost $3,500 US [2] - One victim paid £58,000 [1] - One agent scammed over £50,000 from people [2] - One person owes $5,660 [4] - Mr Brown recovered over £100,000 for victims [4] Government and Law Enforcement Response - The UK government is ending overseas recruitment of care workers and closing the COS route [5] - Action Fraud received more than 300 cases of COS fraud last year, but there have been no convictions [5] - Victims blame the British government for leaving the system open to exploitation and the UK police for failing to help [5]