UK Solicitor Secretly Filmed Offering To Make £45,000 Illegal-Working Fine ‘Disappear’

UK Solicitor Secretly Filmed Offering to Make £45,000 Illegal-Working Fine ‘Disappear’ A British solicitor has been secretly filmed by the allegedly explaining how he could help a business owner avoid paying a £45,000 fine for employing an illegal worker, prompting the UK government to review how immigration penalties are issued and collected. The solicitor, Mohammad Alias Yousaf, also known as Alias, is based in Bradford and works with Liberty Solicitors. Yousaf spoke to an undercover reporter posing as the owner of a mini-mart who had been fined for employing someone without the legal right to work in the United Kingdom. The solicitor allegedly suggested that the liability could be transferred to someone living overseas who would declare themselves the owner of the business. Yousaf has denied advising anyone to provide false information to the Home Office and said he would not pursue a dishonest claim. Undercover investigation exposes alleged schem said its reporter contacted Yousaf after discovering social media videos in which business owners praised his ability to resolve immigration-related fines. During a recorded conversation, the solicitor allegedly offered to charge 10 per cent of the penalty, amounting to £4,500 on a £45,000 fine, with payment required in advance. He reportedly discussed naming an individual living outside the UK as the business owner so that the penalty would be issued against that person instead. said the proposed arrangement appeared to involve using a so-called “ghost director” someone whose name is placed on official business documents to conceal the identity of the actual owner. The investigation involved a fictional business, worker and fine. No actual penalty existed in the undercover scenario. The subsequently sent its reporter to Yousaf’s office in Bradford with an initial payment of £250. During the meeting, the reporter introduced another undercover journalist posing as a person overseas who was supposedly willing to take ownership of the business. The recorded conversation showed Yousaf seeking confirmation that the individual was the genuine owner before he could write to the authorities. When the supposed owner said he had never seen the shop and was merely willing to have it transferred into his name, Yousaf indicated that he could not proceed if the account was untruthful. Yousaf later withdrew his offer of assistance, and said he would arrange for the initial payment to be returned. that the money had not been repaid at the time of publication, while Yousaf said his firm had made attempts to return it. The investigation prompted Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood to announce a review of the system for issuing and collecting penalties against employers who hire workers without the required legal permission. Mahmood thanked for exposing conduct she said undermined the country’s rules. The citing Home Office figures, that at least £150 million in illegal-working fines remained uncollected. Between 2021 and 2025, 5,755 fines were issued, with a combined value of £215 million. Of that amount, £60.5 million had been collected, according to figures provided to the broadcaster. The Home Office noted that collection totals do not necessarily correspond to fines issued during the same period, as appeals, payment discounts and other factors can affect the amounts received. Yousaf denied ever advising anyone to transfer a penalty to a person who was not responsible for the business or to submit false information to the Home Office.that his work involved challenging penalties through lawful procedures, including cases in which a person found working at a business was not actually an employee. The investigation has raised questions about professional conduct and the enforcement of immigration penalties, but the allegations should be distinguished from any formal disciplinary finding or criminal conviction. The government’s review is expected to examine how authorities can improve compliance and recover outstanding penalties.