Editorial standards

UKScammers investigates fraud that targets workers and migrants in the UK. We publish warnings so that people can protect themselves before they pay. Because our work names real people and organisations, we hold it to the standards of responsible journalism: we check before we publish, we say how we know what we say, and we give the people we write about a fair chance to respond.

What we investigate

We focus on fraud that exploits people trying to work or settle in the UK, including:

• the sale of Certificates of Sponsorship (CoS) and other visa sponsorship documents;
• fake job offers and advance-fee recruitment;
• unregulated or fraudulent immigration advice;
• “refund guarantees” that are never honoured.

We take on a case when there is evidence of serious financial harm, a real risk that the same thing will happen to others, and a public benefit in warning people or prompting the authorities to act.

How we verify

• We examine original evidence, not just summaries: bank transfer records and receipts, complete message threads, documents such as CoS references, and the accounts of victims and witnesses.
• We check public records, including Companies House, the Charity Commission register, the Home Office register of licensed sponsors and the Immigration Advice Authority register of advisers.
• We look for corroboration. We test documents against each other and against public records, and we seek more than one source wherever we can.
• We preserve evidence. Originals are stored securely. Each file is fingerprinted (SHA-256) when we receive it and logged, so it can be handed to police or regulators unaltered.
• We do not pay for information.

How we label claims

Every key fact in an investigation carries one of four labels, so you can see exactly what kind of statement it is.

Public record

Verifiable in an official register (such as Companies House) or in the subject’s own publications. Anyone can check it.

Allegation

What a victim or witness says happened, supported by evidence we have examined. An allegation is not a finding of guilt, and we never present it as one.

The rules

The law, the Immigration Rules, or official guidance from the Home Office or a regulator.

Official finding

A decision made by a court, a regulator or a police force.

Words like “fraud” and “scam” describe what is alleged or reported, unless a court has decided otherwise. Where we express a view, we make clear it is our view and set out the facts it rests on.

Responding to our reporting

Anyone named in an investigation can respond to us at any time. We publish responses in full or fairly summarised, and if a response arrives after publication we add it and date the update.

Contact us to respond, request a correction, or add information. We never reveal who brought a case to us.

What we will not publish

• Any victim’s identity, without their informed consent.
• Home addresses, or details of anyone’s family, children or health.
• Photographs of anyone’s private life, or of people who are not part of the story.
• Speculation about anyone’s wealth, property or lifestyle that the evidence does not support.
• Rumours or anonymous accusations we cannot test.
• Material obtained by hacking, deception or other unlawful means.

We publish the information people need to protect themselves: names as used publicly, organisations, official records, and the phone numbers, web pages and accounts linked to the conduct we describe.

Protecting victims and sources

People who contact us are often frightened about their money, their job or their immigration status. We do not publish anything that could identify a victim or source without their agreement. We redact personal details from every document we show, and we only share evidence with police or regulators with the victim’s consent or where the law requires it. Our privacy notice explains how we handle personal information.

Corrections

We correct mistakes quickly and openly. Every correction or clarification is dated and recorded at the foot of the page it affects, so readers can see what changed and when. To report an error, email [email protected] with the page address and what you believe is wrong.

Complaints

If you think we have treated you unfairly or published something inaccurate, email [email protected]. Tell us the page, the specific words, why you believe they are wrong, and any evidence. We acknowledge complaints within two working days and aim to respond in full within 14 days. Where we agree, we correct, clarify or remove the material.

Independence

We do not carry advertising. We do not take money from anyone we write about. We never accept payment to publish, change or remove anything. Anyone who claims they can get content removed from this site for a fee is not acting for us: please report them to us.