The Home Office was already looking into a growing trend of fake claims from people pretending to be gay, as well as concerns that rules designed to protect victims of domestic violence are being exploited.
It is now investigating the individuals and organisations highlighted by the BBC’s reporting.
A BBC investigation has uncovered how migrants whose visas are due to run out are being given fake cover stories and instructed in how to obtain fabricated evidence, including supporting letters, photographs and medical reports.
In some cases, law firms and advisers are charging thousands of pounds to advise migrants how they can claim to be gay and in fear for their lives if they return to Pakistan or Bangladesh, in order to apply for asylum.
The BBC has also discovered how some migrants are exploiting rules brought in by ministers to help genuine victims of domestic abuse to secure permanent residence more quickly than through other routes, such as asylum.
In some cases, migrants have duped British partners into relationships and marriage before making fake domestic abuse claims after moving to the UK.
The number of people claiming fast-track residency on the basis of domestic abuse has now reached more than 5,500 a year – a number which has risen by more than 50% in just three years.
