British men are allegedly being offered thousands of pounds by migrant pregnant women to pose as fathers of their babies in the latest citizenship fraud, a BBC investigation revealed on Tuesday.

The scammers are offering up to £10,000 (12,536 USD) to these men to add their names to a child's birth certificate, providing UK citizenship to them and enabling their mothers a route to permanent residency.

The BBC Newsnight probe found out that the fraudsters are predominantly taking the help of the Meta Platform, Facebook, to find out potential clients and claim to have assisted thousands of women through this fraudulent practice.

However, Facebook claims that such content is banned under the rules and regulations of the tech giant.

As per the report, the 'fake father' visa scam is prevalent across various communities in the United Kingdom.

WATCH |&nbsp;British men are taking thousands of pounds to pose as fathers for migrant womens' babies

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<h2>Undercover investigation</h2>

During the undercover investigation, a BBC researcher, posing as a pregnant woman residing illegally in the UK, engaged in conversations with people offering these services.

One of the agents she spoke to, who went by the name Thai, told her that he knew many British men who were willing to act as the 'fake father' and further offered her a full package for £11,000 (13,779 USD).

He assured her that the process was 'very easy' and further asserted that he 'would do everything' to secure a UK passport for the child.

The agent Thai, who unlike other agents did not advertise on social media, said that he would design a compelling backstory to successfully mislead the authorities.

He then introduced the undercover Newsnight researcher to a British man named Andrew who he said would pose as the father. Andrew was promised £8,000 (10,014 USD) from the total fee.

Andrew in order to affirm his claim of being a UK citizen, showed his passport during their meeting and also took selfies with the researcher.

BBC in its report said that it did not pay any money to any of the agents offering the fraudulent service.

On later being confronted about his involvement in the scam, he vehemently denied any wrongdoing and claimed to have no knowledge about the matter.

The investigators further contacted another agent called Thi Kim, who as per the reports, claimed to have helped dozens of migrant pregnant women get residency in the UK.

She further said that he had a British man available for hire for the service and charged a fee of £10,000 (12,536 USD), with her fee being £300 (375.43 USD).

She then told the researcher that all the men in her network that she provided for the 'fake father' service were born in the UK and were "never registered for any babies before".

<h2>‘Incredibly elaborate’ scam</h2>

As per immigration lawyer Ana González, the 'fake father' scam is an 'incredibly elaborate' fraud and some women, just to secure their right to remain in the country, are ready to go to any lengths.

She added that this rule was designed to safeguard children and not to give visas to women without legal documentation in the United Kingdom.

As per the immigration law, if an illegal migrant woman gives birth to a child fathered by a British citizen or a man with indefinite leave to remain, the baby automatically acquires British citizenship by birth.

The mother can then apply for a family visa, which in turn will grant her the right to remain in the country and will allow her to pursue the route to citizenship.

&nbsp;

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

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British men are allegedly being offered thousands of pounds by migrant pregnant women to pose as fathers of their babies in the latest citizenship fraud, a BBC investigation revealed on Tuesday.

British men are allegedly being offered thousands of pounds by migrant pregnant women to pose as fathers of their babies in the latest citizenship fraud, a BBC investigation revealed on Tuesday. The scammers are offering up to £10,000 (12,536 USD) to these men to add their names to a child's birth certificate, providing UK citizenship to them and enabling their mothers a route to permanent residency. The BBC Newsnight probe found out that the fraudsters are predominantly taking the help of the Meta Platform, Facebook, to find out potential clients and claim to have assisted thousands of women through this fraudulent practice. However, Facebook claims that such content is banned under the rules and regulations of the tech giant. As per the report, the 'fake father' visa scam is prevalent across various communities in the United Kingdom. WATCH | British men are taking thousands of pounds to pose as fathers for migrant womens' babies Undercover investigation During the undercover investigation, a BBC researcher, posing as a pregnant woman residing illegally in the UK, engaged in conversations with people offering these services. One of the agents she spoke to, who went by the name Thai, told her that he knew many British men who were willing to act as the 'fake father' and further offered her a full package for £11,000 (13,779 USD). He assured her that the process was 'very easy' and further asserted that he 'would do everything' to secure a UK passport for the child. The agent Thai, who unlike other agents did not advertise on social media, said that he would design a compelling backstory to successfully mislead the authorities. He then introduced the undercover Newsnight researcher to a British man named Andrew who he said would pose as the father. Andrew was promised £8,000 (10,014 USD) from the total fee. Andrew in order to affirm his claim of being a UK citizen, showed his passport during their meeting and also took selfies with the researcher. BBC in its report said that it did not pay any money to any of the agents offering the fraudulent service. On later being confronted about his involvement in the scam, he vehemently denied any wrongdoing and claimed to have no knowledge about the matter. The investigators further contacted another agent called Thi Kim, who as per the reports, claimed to have helped dozens of migrant pregnant women get residency in the UK. She further said that he had a British man available for hire for the service and charged a fee of £10,000 (12,536 USD), with her fee being £300 (375.43 USD). She then told the researcher that all the men in her network that she provided for the 'fake father' service were born in the UK and were "never registered for any babies before". ‘Incredibly elaborate’ scam As per immigration lawyer Ana González, the 'fake father' scam is an 'incredibly elaborate' fraud and some women, just to secure their right to remain in the country, are ready to go to any lengths. She added that this rule was designed to safeguard children and not to give visas to women without legal documentation in the United Kingdom. As per the immigration law, if an illegal migrant woman gives birth to a child fathered by a British citizen or a man with indefinite leave to remain, the baby automatically acquires British citizenship by birth. The mother can then apply for a family visa, which in turn will grant her the right to remain in the country and will allow her to pursue the route to citizenship. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

‘Fake father’ citizenship scam: British men offered money by migrant women to pose as dads of their child

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has sent a demarche to the United States embassy in New Delhi in connection with the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-embassy-opens-hotline-after129-indian-students-arrested-in-us-pay-and-stay-visa-scam-194502">immigration scam</a>&nbsp;busted by US&nbsp;authorities. that according to US immigration authorities tried to exploit the US student visa system.

Some 129 Indian students and eight other individuals were arrested after the US Department of Homeland Security conducted a sting operation to bust the scam that had included the setting up of a&nbsp;fake university in Farmington Hills, Michigan, US.&nbsp;

According to court documents accessed by WION, the students were allegedly using a "pay to stay" scheme — and were aware that they would not have to attend class&nbsp;but still be able to maintain their student visa status.&nbsp;

In the demarche, India called for the "need for immediate consular access for Indian officials to the detainees" and underlined that the students, "who may have been duped into enrolling in the ‘University’ should be treated differently from those recruiters who have duped them."&nbsp;

So far, about 30 Indian students have been contacted by Indian consular officers.

Meanwhile, the US embassy spokesperson has confirmed that it received a Demarche from the Ministry of External Affairs.

Speaking to WION, Deputy Consul General of the Indian consulate in Houston Surendra Adhana said, "Each consulate in the USA is getting consular access to students detained in their jurisdiction. We got these two. There will be a third one in San Antonio (on Saturday) despite it being a holiday"

Officials from the Indian consulate in Houston have met the detained students at the Montgomery Processing Centre and Prairieland Detention Centre in Texas.

New Delhi has asked the US to share all details of the students and asked them to "release them from detention at the earliest and not to resort to deportation against their will."

All the arrested Indian students have been put on "removal proceedings". The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) told WION that it will "seek to maintain them in its custody pending the outcome of those proceedings."&nbsp;

This comes even as the Indian mission in Washington has established a 24/7 helpline -- +1-202-322-1190 and +1-202-340-2590 and an email: cons3.washington@mea.gov.in &nbsp;for assistance related to the detention of Indian students.

India has said that its Embassy and Consulates in the United States attach "the highest priority to the welfare of the detained students" and "will continue to work with the US authorities and other stakeholders to address the issue."

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has sent a demarche to the United States embassy in New Delhi in connection with the immigration scam busted by US authorities.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has sent a demarche to the United States embassy in New Delhi in connection with the immigration scam busted by US authorities. that according to US immigration authorities tried to exploit the US student visa system. Some 129 Indian students and eight other individuals were arrested after the US Department of Homeland Security conducted a sting operation to bust the scam that had included the setting up of a fake university in Farmington Hills, Michigan, US. According to court documents accessed by WION, the students were allegedly using a "pay to stay" scheme — and were aware that they would not have to attend class but still be able to maintain their student visa status. In the demarche, India called for the "need for immediate consular access for Indian officials to the detainees" and underlined that the students, "who may have been duped into enrolling in the ‘University’ should be treated differently from those recruiters who have duped them." So far, about 30 Indian students have been contacted by Indian consular officers. Meanwhile, the US embassy spokesperson has confirmed that it received a Demarche from the Ministry of External Affairs. Speaking to WION, Deputy Consul General of the Indian consulate in Houston Surendra Adhana said, "Each consulate in the USA is getting consular access to students detained in their jurisdiction. We got these two. There will be a third one in San Antonio (on Saturday) despite it being a holiday" Officials from the Indian consulate in Houston have met the detained students at the Montgomery Processing Centre and Prairieland Detention Centre in Texas. New Delhi has asked the US to share all details of the students and asked them to "release them from detention at the earliest and not to resort to deportation against their will." All the arrested Indian students have been put on "removal proceedings". The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) told WION that it will "seek to maintain them in its custody pending the outcome of those proceedings." This comes even as the Indian mission in Washington has established a 24/7 helpline -- +1-202-322-1190 and +1-202-340-2590 and an email: cons3.washington@mea.gov.in for assistance related to the detention of Indian students. India has said that its Embassy and Consulates in the United States attach "the highest priority to the welfare of the detained students" and "will continue to work with the US authorities and other stakeholders to address the issue."

Indian students arrested in immigration scam: India sends demarche to US

It is expected to be a long haul for the<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/detention-of-indian-students-in-us-india-places-consular-request-says-according-highest-priority-194456"> eight Indians who were involved in the immigration scam</a> in the United States by enrolling 129 other Indians in a fake university in an attempt to exploit the US student visa system. These individuals have now been placed in "removal proceedings" and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has told WION that it will "seek to maintain them in its custody pending the outcome of those proceedings."&nbsp;

If convicted, the eight accused will face a maximum penalty of five years in a US federal prison.

The individuals who were arrested in the immigration scam are Barath Kakireddy, Suresh Kandala, Phanideep Karnati, Prem Rampeesa, Santosh Sama, Avinash Thakkallapally, Aswanth Nune and Naveen Prathipati.

It also looks difficult for the 129 Indians who enrolled themselves in the fake university and have been arrested. WION has accessed the court documents in which it has been mentioned that "Each of the foreign citizens who “enrolled” and made “tuition” payments to the University knew that they would not attend any actual classes, earn credits, or make academic progress toward an actual degree in a particular field of study – a “pay to stay” scheme", clearly suggesting they are also considered culpable by US authorities.

It further added, "each student knew that the University’s program was not approved by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was illegal and that discretion should be used when discussing the program with others."
<img alt="US Documents" data-align="center" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="957d9ff5-f1d6-478d-99b4-0757188a084d" src="/sites/default/files/inline-images/us%201.jpg" />
 
&nbsp;All of them were arrested after the US Department of Homeland security did an operation by setting up a fake university in Farmington Hills, Michigan state of US.

This comes even as India has "highlighted" to the US government "that a distinction should be made between those involved in recruiting or enrolling students and students who have been duped or defrauded in the process."

The Ministry of external affairs in a press release said that it is "according the highest priority to the situation" arising out of the detention of Indian students in the United States and has placed a formal request for consular access for the students.&nbsp;

Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) further said, "We are monitoring the situation closely and have impressed upon the US Government the need to address the situation at the earliest."

The Indian mission is in touch with US State Department and the Department of Homeland Security and has requested for a list of the detained students and other details such as place of detention and Identity.

Indian mission, according to MEA, is rendering "all assistance to Indian students in the US to deal with the emerging situation" and has also involved Indian community organizations in reaching out to the students.

It is expected to be a long haul for the eight Indians who were involved in the immigration scam in the United States by enrolling 129 other Indians in a fake university in an attempt to exploit the US student visa system.

It is expected to be a long haul for the eight Indians who were involved in the immigration scam in the United States by enrolling 129 other Indians in a fake university in an attempt to exploit the US student visa system. These individuals have now been placed in "removal proceedings" and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has told WION that it will "seek to maintain them in its custody pending the outcome of those proceedings." If convicted, the eight accused will face a maximum penalty of five years in a US federal prison. The individuals who were arrested in the immigration scam are Barath Kakireddy, Suresh Kandala, Phanideep Karnati, Prem Rampeesa, Santosh Sama, Avinash Thakkallapally, Aswanth Nune and Naveen Prathipati. It also looks difficult for the 129 Indians who enrolled themselves in the fake university and have been arrested. WION has accessed the court documents in which it has been mentioned that "Each of the foreign citizens who “enrolled” and made “tuition” payments to the University knew that they would not attend any actual classes, earn credits, or make academic progress toward an actual degree in a particular field of study – a “pay to stay” scheme", clearly suggesting they are also considered culpable by US authorities. It further added, "each student knew that the University’s program was not approved by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was illegal and that discretion should be used when discussing the program with others." All of them were arrested after the US Department of Homeland security did an operation by setting up a fake university in Farmington Hills, Michigan state of US. This comes even as India has "highlighted" to the US government "that a distinction should be made between those involved in recruiting or enrolling students and students who have been duped or defrauded in the process." The Ministry of external affairs in a press release said that it is "according the highest priority to the situation" arising out of the detention of Indian students in the United States and has placed a formal request for consular access for the students. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) further said, "We are monitoring the situation closely and have impressed upon the US Government the need to address the situation at the earliest." The Indian mission is in touch with US State Department and the Department of Homeland Security and has requested for a list of the detained students and other details such as place of detention and Identity. Indian mission, according to MEA, is rendering "all assistance to Indian students in the US to deal with the emerging situation" and has also involved Indian community organizations in reaching out to the students.

Immigration scam: Long haul for detained Indians as US puts its foot down

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