First Person Charged Over Advertising Illegal Immigration Services Online

An Indian migrant has become the first person to be charged with advertising illegal immigration services online.

The 24-year-old, named as Hem Raj, allegedly used social media to advise migrants seeking to enter Britain illegally on how to make fraudulent visa applications, and claim asylum once they arrived.

He was charged with advertising illegal immigration services under section 17 of the Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025.

It is the first time anyone has been charged with the offence, as part of a National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation.

Mr Raj has also been charged with illegally providing immigration advice without having the required authority or qualifications.

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Officers arrested Mr Raj at an address in Smethwick, West Midlands, on Sept 15, also seizing mobile phones.

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