The BBC's investigation centred on Mohammad Alias Yousaf, who also goes by Alias, after his name appeared in Kurdish-language social media videos that the BBC monitored for months. In these videos, business owners praised his ability to resolve immigration fine problems, with one showing a letter as evidence that a fine had been cancelled.
An undercover BBC reporter contacted Alias posing as a mini-mart owner who had been fined £45,000. In recorded phone calls, Alias offered his services for 10 per cent of the fine, or £4,500, and asked for money upfront. He suggested that liability could be shifted to a person outside the UK. "Do you have anybody's name who we can use? Anybody who's gone back to Iraq, gone back to Iran?" he asked.
During a meeting at his Bradford office fitted with a secret camera, Alias accepted £250 as an initial payment. The reporter introduced a supposed contact named Saman, who was a second undercover journalist. In the recorded conversation, Saman repeatedly states he is not the owner of the shop. Despite this, Alias persists in seeking a declaration of ownership so he can write to the authorities. "I'm not the owner of the shop, but I'm ready to transfer it to my name," Saman says. Alias replies: "OK, but I'm going to be writing to them to explain that you're the owner of the shop." When Saman refuses to make a false declaration, Alias withdraws his offer, later sending messages and making a phone call stating he cannot pursue an untruthful claim. Senior immigration lawyer Bryony Rest, who reviewed the recordings for the BBC, described the conduct as "quite appalling" and amounting to "perverting the course of justice". She argued Yousaf should be struck off, noting that while Yousaf later withdrew, it was he who originally suggested the dishonest scheme.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood thanked the BBC "for exposing those who undermine our rules" and announced a review into the way fines are issued and collected. This follows the BBC obtaining Home Office figures showing that at least £150 million is owed in uncollected fines. Of 5,755 fines issued between 2021 and 2025, worth a total of £215 million, only £60.5 million has been collected.
Yousaf has denied providing dishonest advice or giving false information to the Home Office. He maintains he did not commission, pay for or circulate the social media videos. The Solicitors Regulation Authority is investigating the matter. Yousaf says his firm has attempted to repay the £250 upfront payment.