BBC Sting Exposes Crime Gang Erasing £60K Fines For Illegal Workers

 

 

A BBC undercover probe has exposed a Kurdish crime network offering to “erase” fines of up to £60,000 for businesses employing illegal migrant workers — with the operation allegedly running out of a solicitor’s office in Huddersfield.

 

The ringleader, known as “Shaxawan”, was secretly filmed boasting that he could “make fines zero” and “confuse Immigration Enforcement.” Identified by Companies House as Kardos Mateen, the 30-something British resident has directed 18 firms across northern England. He denied wrongdoing when confronted.

 

Working with an “English woman,” Shaxawan claimed he could manipulate company records, transfer liabilities, and even produce fake documents to help migrants and rogue employers evade penalties. His network allegedly installs “ghost directors” — paid stand-ins who register businesses on paper while undocumented workers run them.

 

Undercover reporters posing as Kurdish asylum seekers were told that setting up a mini-mart front would cost £400 a month, plus a one-off £140 for banking access. In return, Shaxawan promised: “I’ll make sure you have no issues.”

 

Trading Standards confirmed counterfeit tobacco was sold at several shops under Mateen’s name. The BBC said it successfully bought fake cigarettes at four of his mini-marts.

The operation also involved RKS Solicitors in Huddersfield, where BBC reporters met a paralegal named Zohaib Hussain. He was recorded discussing ways to “make documents” and potentially transfer fines to “Hungarian” stand-ins paid £2,000–£3,000 to take the blame.

 

RKS Solicitors denied any involvement in the alleged scam.

Authorities have since been urged to tighten labour enforcement and company registration oversight amid concerns that weak regulation has created a “pull factor” for illegal migration.

 

Key Takeaways

• BBC exposes Kurdish network offering to erase £60K fines for illegal workers.

• “Ghost directors” and fake paperwork used to dodge enforcement.

• Operation allegedly tied to Huddersfield law office; denials issued.

 

Source:  BBC 

 

 

 

 

 

11 minutes ago, Social Media said:

His network allegedly installs “ghost directors” — paid stand-ins who register businesses on paper while undocumented workers run them.

 

   They then take out as much loans as possible and then leave the ghost director with all the debt and then disappear with the money