The short version
- A solicitor advised an undercover reporter to shift liability for an immigration fine to a non-resident individual.
- The Home Office has announced a review of how illegal-working penalties are issued and collected following the investigation.
- Government data reveals that only a fraction of fines issued between 2021 and 2025 have been successfully collected.
A solicitor based in Bradford has been secretly filmed by the BBC offering to help a business owner evade a substantial penalty for employing an illegal worker. Mohammad Alias Yousaf, who operates under the name Alias and runs Liberty Solicitors, was recorded advising an undercover reporter posing as a mini-mart proprietor. The reporter claimed to face a £45,000 fine after immigration officers discovered unauthorized employment at his shop. During the interaction, Alias suggested a method to nullify the debt by identifying someone overseas who could declare themselves as the business owner.
The solicitor’s proposal involved what law enforcement officials describe as the use of a 'ghost director.' This illegal practice involves paying an individual to place their name on official documents, thereby masking the true ownership of a company. In the recorded conversation, Alias asked if the reporter had contacts in Iraq or Iran who could be named as the owner. He provided a hypothetical example involving a person named Karwan located in Iraq, suggesting that if Karwan were listed as the owner, the fine would fall upon him rather than the actual operator in the UK.
Alias initially requested an upfront payment of £500 for his services, which represented 10% of the total fine. When the undercover reporter visited his office with only £250, Alias expressed annoyance but accepted the reduced amount without providing a receipt. He appeared encouraged when the reporter mentioned that other individuals had already been paid to appear on lease agreements and utility bills to obscure the real owners. This interaction suggests a willingness to facilitate fraud rather than provide legitimate legal counsel regarding immigration compliance.
The investigation into Alias emerged from a broader probe into criminality linked to certain High Street businesses, including mini-marts and barbershops. Social media videos, particularly on Kurdish Facebook pages, had previously praised Alias for his ability to resolve immigration-related issues for business owners. One video featured a shop owner claiming that after failing to get help elsewhere, Alias successfully cancelled his fine, showing a letter as proof. These posts garnered significant attention, with some receiving over 20,000 views, although Alias has denied commissioning or approving such content.
The scale of uncollected fines in the UK is substantial. According to Home Office figures obtained by the BBC, at least £150 million is currently owed to the government in unpaid penalties for illegal working. Between 2021 and 2025, a total of 5,755 fines were issued, with a combined value of £215 million. However, only £60.5 million has been collected during this period. The Home Office notes that collection rates are lower due to appeals and discounts for early payment, but the gap remains significant.
Law enforcement officials have indicated that many business owners do not take these fines seriously. An anonymous official described seeing immigration penalty notices worth up to £40,000 stored in boxes on shop counters. When asked if the owners intended to pay, staff reportedly dismissed the matter, stating it was not their concern. This attitude suggests a systemic disregard for immigration laws among some sectors of small business owners, potentially emboldened by the availability of legal professionals willing to circumvent the rules.
In response to the BBC’s findings, Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood has announced a review of the processes used to issue and collect illegal-working fines. She thanked the broadcaster for exposing those who undermine immigration regulations. The review aims to address the loopholes and enforcement challenges that allow individuals like Alias to operate with impunity. It also seeks to improve the recovery of funds owed to the state, which are intended to deter employers from hiring workers without legal status.
Legal experts have condemned the solicitor’s actions. Bryony Rest, a senior immigration lawyer who reviewed the recorded conversation, described the advice as appalling. She emphasized that suggesting the use of a false name for a business owner is a serious breach of professional ethics and potentially criminal conduct. The case highlights the vulnerabilities in the current enforcement framework and the need for stricter oversight of legal practitioners involved in immigration matters.
The maximum penalty for knowingly employing illegal workers increased from £15,000 to £60,000 in 2024, reflecting the government’s intent to strengthen deterrence. Despite this increase, the effectiveness of these penalties is undermined when businesses can easily evade payment through fraudulent means. The ongoing review by the Home Office will likely examine how better coordination between law enforcement and legal regulators can prevent such abuses.
Alias has denied providing false information to the Home Office or offering such advice to anyone outside the undercover operation. He maintains that he did not circulate the social media videos praising his services. However, the recorded evidence provides a clear account of his willingness to facilitate fraud for financial gain. The outcome of the government’s review and any subsequent disciplinary actions against Alias will be closely watched by immigration advocates and law enforcement agencies alike.
Sources behind this briefing
Go to the original reporting
- BBC News↗Lawyer caught by BBC offering to make illegal worker penalty 'go away'
