Lawyer caught offering to make illegal-worker fine go away

The solicitor, Mohammad Alias Yousaf, allegedly offered a way to avoid paying an illegal-working penalty. He suggested naming someone outside the UK as the business owner, so the fine would be issued in that person’s name. This matters because it could hide the real owner and mislead authorities.

In the BBC’s undercover call, Alias asked whether the reporter knew someone who had returned to Iraq or Iran. He gave the example of “Karwan”, saying the fine could come in Karwan’s name while Karwan was in Iraq. The reporter later said other people had been paid to appear on the lease and utility bills. Alias replied that they should be able to find a way out.

The proposed service cost 10% of the fine, or £4,500 in the reporter’s fictional case. Alias denied giving such advice or false information to the Home Office.

A ghost director is a person whose name is used on official business records even though someone else controls or owns the business. The article describes this as a way to mask the real owner. It matters because authorities may direct penalties and questions toward the person shown in official documents.

Alias appeared to suggest using someone who had left the UK, such as a person in Iraq or Iran. The example was “Karwan”: the fine would be put in Karwan’s name, although Karwan would be abroad. The undercover reporter also said that other people had been paid to appear on the shop’s lease and utility bills.

The law enforcement official told the BBC that ghost directors are a widespread illegal practice. A senior immigration lawyer called the apparent suggestion of a false business-owner name “quite appalling”. Alias denied providing such advice.

The size of the penalty can be substantial. In 2024, the maximum fine for knowingly employing an illegal worker rose from £15,000 to £60,000. The article also describes a £45,000 fine allegedly discussed by the solicitor. These amounts create a strong incentive for businesses to challenge, avoid, or delay payment.

Between 2021 and 2025, the Home Office issued 5,755 illegal-working fines worth £215m in total. Only £60.5m had been collected. The Home Office said the figures do not compare identical periods, because some fines may be paid later. Appeals and discounts for quick payment also reduce the amount collected.

Separately, Home Office figures obtained by the BBC put currently uncollected illegal-working fines at least £150m. The Home Secretary announced a review of how these penalties are issued and collected after the investigation.

An employer can be fined for hiring someone without the legal right to work. If official records identify another person as the business owner, authorities may initially associate that person with the employment decision and the resulting penalty. That is why shifting ownership on paper could appear to transfer responsibility.

In the recorded call, Alias asked whether the reporter knew someone who had gone back to Iraq or Iran. He proposed that “Karwan” could be named, with the fine then coming in Karwan’s name while Karwan remained in Iraq. The reporter also mentioned paid names on the lease and utility bills. Alias said this might provide a way out.

The article presents this as an apparent ghost-director arrangement, not a legitimate transfer of responsibility. The law enforcement official called ghost directors illegal. The account also triggered criticism from immigration lawyer Bryony Rest and a government review of fine collection.

An employer in the UK who hires a worker with no legal right to work faces an illegal-working fine. The penalty can be severe because the rules target businesses that employ people who are not permitted to work. In 2024, the maximum penalty for knowingly employing illegal workers rose from £15,000 to £60,000.

The article gives a wider picture of enforcement. The Home Office issued 5,755 fines between 2021 and 2025. Together, those penalties were worth £215m, but only £60.5m had been collected. Some fines may be paid later, and appeals or discounts for fast payment can affect the totals.

The BBC also obtained figures showing at least £150m in uncollected illegal-working fines. A law enforcement official said some business owners did not take notices seriously. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood responded by announcing a review of how fines are issued and collected.

A solicitor’s core responsibility is to act lawfully and honestly while advising a client. That includes explaining the real legal position, protecting confidential information appropriately, and avoiding advice that helps someone commit fraud, mislead officials, or conceal ownership. A solicitor must also distinguish lawful options from schemes that merely shift blame on paper.

In this case, the BBC recording captured Alias apparently discussing an overseas person who could be named as the shop owner. The article says this appeared to involve a ghost director. It also reports that Alias offered to help make a £45,000 fine go away and requested an upfront fee. Alias denied ever giving such advice or false information to the Home Office.

The source does not describe any regulator’s findings or disciplinary action. Generally, suspected dishonesty or assistance with false information can lead to professional investigation and other legal consequences. The recorded claims therefore raise serious questions, but they are allegations rather than a final ruling.

Having the legal right to work means a person is permitted to take employment in the UK. That permission usually comes from nationality or immigration status. Some people have unrestricted permission, while others can work only under particular conditions, such as limits on hours or job type. The article does not define these categories.

In practice, employers generally check acceptable identity and immigration documents, or use a Home Office online service when the worker provides a share code. They should confirm that the details match the person and that any permission covers the proposed job. Time-limited permission normally requires a later follow-up check.

The article focuses on penalties, not the checking process. It states that employers face fines when they hire workers with no legal right to work. It also reports 5,755 fines issued between 2021 and 2025, showing the issue affects both hiring decisions and enforcement.