• Many care workers from Kerala, India, paid thousands for UK job sponsorships that never materialized.
  • These victims currently struggle with debt, joblessness, and legal hurdles across borders.
  • Authorities in India and the UK are investigating, but justice remains uncertain.

Hundreds of migrant carers from India’s Kerala state have fallen victim to fraudulent recruitment schemes promising jobs in the UK, leaving them financially devastated.

Exploited by middlemen, care homes, and recruitment agencies, many sold assets or took on heavy loans, only to find themselves stranded without employment or proper support upon arrival in the UK.

For many, the UK’s care worker visa was seen as a golden ticket to a better future. Families invested their life savings, hoping for stable employment and improved opportunities for their children.

However, upon arrival, they found that the promised jobs were either non-existent or provided minimal, unpaid work.

Arun George (name changed), who paid £15,000 to secure a care worker visa for his wife in late 2023, returned to India after months of struggling without proper employment.

“We kept chasing the care home, but they made excuses. They gave my wife just three days of work after forcing us to undergo unpaid training,” he said. His family’s financial setback will take years to recover from.

Alchita Care, a domiciliary care home in Bradford, was one of the key entities involved.

While the UK Home Office revoked its sponsorship license in 2024, the company has yet to answer for the financial damage inflicted on migrant workers.

The BBC also uncovered allegations against UK-based Grace International and its agent, Henry Poulos, who is accused of orchestrating fraudulent job offers.

Victims say Poulos charged thousands of pounds, issued fake sponsorship certificates, and even sent them on futile trips for visa appointments that never existed.

Victims face immense challenges in seeking justice. The cross-border nature of these frauds creates legal barriers, as payments are often made to entities outside India’s jurisdiction.

The high cost of legal representation further discourages victims, many of whom are already in deep debt.

Authorities in Kerala have initiated investigations and may seek Interpol assistance. Meanwhile, UK officials have tightened visa regulations, revoking over 450 sponsorship licenses in the care sector since 2022.

Despite these efforts, hundreds of affected families continue to struggle, their hopes for a brighter future replaced by financial distress and legal uncertainty.

Edited by Annette George