Two men linked to an LGBT advocacy group have been arrested in London on suspicion of facilitating fraudulent asylum applications, immigration officials said following a coordinated police operation. The group, known as Apanjon, is alleged to have assisted Bangladeshi nationals in falsely claiming persecution on the basis of sexual orientation to secure asylum in the United Kingdom.

The arrests occurred early on 6 October during raids on four properties in East London, including two flats in Whitechapel. Officers from Immigration Enforcement, supported by police in riot gear, seized cash, jewellery, electronic devices, and credit cards believed to be connected to the scheme. The two men, suspected to be the ringleaders of the operation, were taken into custody. Additionally, a suspected illegal migrant was detained at one of the locations.

Authorities say the group charged between £1,000 and £4,500 to provide “evidence packages” intended to substantiate claims of being gay, including staged photographs from LGBT events, forged witness statements, and letters supporting applicants’ stories. Investigators allege these documents were designed to mislead caseworkers reviewing asylum petitions.

Officials noted that sexual activity between men remains criminalized in Bangladesh, where LGBT people often face discrimination or persecution. According to recent data, Bangladesh accounts for the second largest number of asylum seekers in the UK claiming to be gay or bisexual. The investigation suggests some applicants exploited the asylum system by submitting fabricated claims, often supported or vouched for by Apanjon after initial refusals. In one reported case, a person’s sexuality was not invoked until nearly a decade after the original application.

Chris Foster, head of Immigration Enforcement’s criminal investigations in London, described the group as operating under the guise of a community organization while allegedly defrauding the asylum system for personal gain. He expressed gratitude toward the media outlet that first raised the issue, noting that authorities had begun reviewing over 100 linked applications. “We believe a number of claims are fraudulent,” Foster said, emphasizing the UK’s commitment to protecting genuine refugees while cracking down on those who abuse the system.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood condemned the fraud, promising prosecution and confiscation of illicit proceeds. “Britain will always provide sanctuary to people in danger,” she stated. “Those faking persecution are beneath contempt… you will be prosecuted, stripped of your dirty money and shut down.” The Home Office is continuing to examine applications related to this network as part of a wider effort to maintain the integrity of the asylum process.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp criticized what he described as a widespread asylum scam, asserting that many fraudulent claims go unchecked due to lenient oversight. He urged stronger scrutiny of cases involving alleged persecution based on sexual orientation.

In 2025, the UK recorded approximately 82,000 asylum applications, up from around 32,700 a decade earlier, with roughly 44 percent accepted. The authorities’ investigation highlights ongoing challenges in balancing humanitarian protection with safeguarding immigration controls.