The International Organization for Migration (IOM), a United Nations Migration Agency, has issued a warning to migrants about a fraudulent syndicate offering counterfeit employment letters to Nigerians aspiring to work in the United Kingdom (UK).

According to the IOM, in 2023 alone, over 260,000 Nigerians sought advice on legal migration routes and underwent pre-departure medical assessments.

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The organization revealed that a significant number of Nigerians, approximately a thousand, are currently stranded in the UK due to fraudulent employment letters.

These letters, procured by a syndicate, resulted in visa approvals, but upon reaching the UK, individuals were denied employment as the letters were not authentic.

During a news conference in Abuja, Mr. Laurent De Boeck, Chief of Mission for IOM, emphasized the financial losses suffered by some migrants, with amounts exceeding $10,000, highlighting the urgency of addressing this issue.

The IOM is actively collaborating with partners to repatriate affected individuals, including Nigerians, from Tunisia, where migration has recently been restricted.

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De Boeck also outlined the IOM’s efforts to establish legal pathways for qualified Nigerians in collaboration with Italy and expressed plans to engage with other countries such as Spain, Belgium, France, among others.