A Nigerian medical doctor, Kelvin Alaneme, has been accused of exploiting vulnerable citizens by charging exorbitant fees for fraudulent UK work visas.
However, he insists he is only assisting Nigerians in securing job opportunities abroad.
An investigation by the BBC’s Africa Eye revealed that Alaneme, through his agency CareerEdu, allegedly charged $13,000 for fake job placements in the UK care sector.
Secretly filmed footage showed him attempting to recruit an undercover journalist as an agent, promising significant financial returns.
The scam reportedly capitalized on the UK’s Health and Care Worker visa scheme, which requires applicants to secure a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) from a licensed employer.
The BBC found that fraudulent agents, including Alaneme, were profiting from the desperation of job seekers by selling CoS for non-existent positions.
Between July 2022 and December 2024, the UK government revoked over 470 care sector licenses, affecting the employment of more than 39,000 foreign medical professionals and care workers.
One of the implicated companies, Efficiency for Care, had issued 1,234 CoS but was found to have significantly fewer actual employees before its sponsorship license was revoked in July 2023.
A Nigerian victim, identified as Praise, claimed he paid Alaneme over £10,000 ($13,000) for a care job with Efficiency for Care but discovered upon arrival that the job did not exist.
In response to the allegations, Alaneme denied any wrongdoing, stating that CareerEdu has successfully helped over 5,000 Nigerians relocate to various countries, including Australia, Canada, and the U.S.
He maintained that his agency only connects qualified candidates with licensed employers and ensures refunds for unsuccessful applicants.
Supporters of Alaneme have also defended him, with one former classmate describing him as a highly intelligent and religious individual who could not be involved in fraudulent activities.