In a startling revelation, a recent investigation has shed light on an unprecedented citizenship scam taking place in the United Kingdom (UK). Exploiting social media and online platforms, this fraudulent scheme, dubbed the “citizenship daddy” scam, involves British men receiving payments of up to £10,000 to assume the role of fake fathers for babies born to migrant mothers.
The clandestine operation brought to public attention through an undercover investigation conducted by BBC Newsnight. Posing as a pregnant woman residing illegally in the UK, an undercover researcher encountered an agent known as “Thai” who facilitated the fraudulent process through alternative means, deviating from the common practice of advertising on Facebook.
Thai, the agent, offered an all-inclusive package valued at £11,000, boasting a network of British men ready to play the role of fake fathers. Assuring the researcher of a swift process, he claimed to go to great lengths to deceive immigration authorities and secure British citizenship for her child. Subsequently, the researcher introduced to a British man named Andrew, who, for a fee of £8,000, agreed to have his name added to the birth certificate after taking photographs with her.
Disturbingly, Newsnight discovered numerous posts on Vietnamese Facebook groups dedicated to job-seeking, where individuals openly sought out “citizenship daddies.” This indicates the widespread nature of the scam and its appeal to both scammers and those seeking illicit means to obtain British citizenship.
The UK Home Office spokesperson emphasized that a birth certificate may not be enough to prove paternity. Meta, Facebook’s parent company, reiterated its strong stance against birth certificate fraud and pledged to delete any related content from its platform.
The scam exposed reminds us of the need for strict immigration policies and measures to combat fraud. Authorities must act now to protect the UK’s citizenship system.
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